Purpose-built assessments for independent schools.

Two distinct surveys, one for faculty, one for students, that uncover the conditions that drive motivation, belonging, and professional fulfillment at your school. These instruments help school leaders understand what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus energy to retain great educators and support thriving students.

What does the Motivation and Engagement Survey measure?

Faculty Survey

The Faculty Motivation and Engagement Survey helps school leaders understand what draws teachers to your school, what keeps them there, and where the experience falls short. Use findings to reduce turnover, strengthen culture, and demonstrate that faculty voice matters.

Workplace Relationships & Belonging

Collegial connections, sense of community, and inclusion.

Autonomy & Role Alignment

How well roles match faculty strengths, values, and professional identity.

Leadership Effectiveness

Trust in supervisors, communication quality, and decision-making integrity.

Recognition & Growth

Compensation competitiveness, professional development support, and advancement opportunities.

Professional Development Engagement

Current learning activities and growth pathways available to faculty.

Workload Sustainability

Manageability of responsibilities and work-life balance perceptions.

Student Survey

The Student Motivation and Engagement Survey (grades 9-12) surfaces what students actually need to feel a sense of belonging, agency, and connection to school life. Use findings to strengthen retention, culture, and student advocacy.

Relationships & Belonging

Connections with adults and peers, community, and involvement in school life.

Voice & Choice

Student autonomy, agency in learning, and feeling that opinions matter.

Teacher & Leadership Effectiveness

Quality of support, access to resources, and communication from school leaders.

Recognition & Feedback

Effort recognition, feedback quality, and clarity about academic progress.

School Pride & Advocacy

Likelihood to recommend the school and key reasons students choose to attend.

Essential Teacher Qualities

Student perspectives on what makes teachers effective and inspiring.

Pricing

Audiences SelectedSAIS MemberNon-Members
Faculty Survey$300$600 flat fee (any configuration)
Student survey (grades 9-12)$300Included above
Faculty + Student bundle (Best Value)$500Included above

Deepen the Work

By opting to add the Faculty Motivation & Engagement: Designed for Connection workshop, SAIS professionals will guide your team through the results of your school’s Motivation and Engagement Survey, alongside both our Employee Value Proposition (EVP) research, Designed to Last, and The First Years Matter, our research on early career educators.

SAIS President Brett Jacobsen with Autumn Graves and Natalie Nixon chat during 2025 Annual Conference