By Dr. Brett Jacobsen, SAIS President In today’s dynamic educational landscape, independent schools cannot afford to let strategy gather dust on a shelf. A board’s ability to set, monitor, and adapt strategic direction determines whether the school’s mission evolves with […]
By Dr. Brett Jacobsen, SAIS President In every independent school I visit, one truth consistently stands out: schools thrive not just because of great programs or facilities, but because of the strength of their community. Trustees, as stewards and ambassadors, […]
By Dr. Brett Jacobsen, SAIS President One of the most important factors in a school’s long-term success is the strength of the partnership between the board of trustees and the head of school. When this relationship is grounded in trust, […]
By Dr. Brett Jacobsen, SAIS President Across the independent school landscape, governance challenges are growing more complex. From rising stakeholder expectations to increased financial and strategic pressures, boards and heads are being called to lead with sharper alignment, deeper trust, […]
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Hello there! As you know all too well, December can be a vibrant but exhausting season in school life. Auditoriums are full with performances, winter sports are in full swing, student projects are being celebrated, and parent volunteers are constantly […]
In October 2025, SAIS pulse surveyed member school business officers, with 69% reporting that the financial health of their school is strong/very strong, down slightly from 72.7% in 2024. Despite a healthy financial position, deferred maintenance projects are considered a […]
A family’s level of engagement with their child’s school is a critical piece of the independent school student recruitment and retention puzzle. More than one third (33%) of SAIS enrollment management professionals claim attrition rates of 10% or more in […]
