Whew! You made it. Crossing the finish line of the 2024–2025 school year has never felt more rewarding. I want to take this moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that has defined school leaders across our association. The challenges have been many, but the resilience and commitment you’ve shown in guiding your schools through them are truly inspiring. Thank you for the investment and meaningful work you do each day on behalf of your students, staff, and school families.
As you close one chapter and look toward the next, you may be seeking resources to support you and your team this summer. We’ve curated several SAIS tools to help you kick off the new year with confidence:
Also, be sure to explore the Trend Tracker and Pulse Perspectives, designed to offer timely insights and inspiration as you navigate the evolving educational landscape.
In this edition of Trend Tracker, we highlight the following signals and trends. Within each area, a number of clickable resources are available to research with your team.
01 Teacher Satisfaction02 Assessing Competencies03 Optimizing AI Headlines04 Neutral Zone Syndrome05 Change Reinvented06 Leadership Time & Talent07 Delegation Strategies08 Board Chair of the Future
During the 2024-2025 school year, we solicited feedback from a variety of professionals and practitioners in SAIS schools. The Top Challenges report captures the pressing issues independent school leaders and teams have been navigating in their respective communities.
Across all roles — heads, CFOs, counselors, academic leaders, and more — common themes emerge:
Additionally, leaders are balancing innovation with tradition while attending to growing concerns around student well-being and mental health. These challenges are mirrored in professional development needs, calling for strategic leadership, team development, instructional improvement, and wellness-centered practices to build sustainable, future-ready schools.
See slide deck for full results.
In case you missed it, be sure to check out my recent communication outlining SAIS key initiatives amplifying the launch of a new benchmarking platform, revised Accreditation Guidebook, and the introduction of the Governance Health Index to support your school’s leadership and strategy. You’ll also find details on upcoming new events like the Timely Challenge Conference and Blueprint Sprint, which are designed to tackle pressing issues like faculty retention and strategic planning. We hope these resources help you as you prepare for a successful year ahead. The projects reflect not just the work of SAIS, but the voices and vision of our member schools, pointing us toward a future where strategy is actionable, governance is reflective, data is meaningful, and professional learning is dynamic and responsive.
As we enter a season of rest and renewal, we hope you find time to recharge and refocus, grounded in the knowledge that your leadership continues to make a meaningful impact.
Dr. Brett JacobsenSAIS President
