Virtual & Onsite Consulting


Ensure that your school’s governance and operations support your mission.
We work together with your leaders, teachers, staff members, and students to understand your school’s unique needs, strengths, and challenges. We help you create a plan to help you meet your goals.
Your team can then put these mission-appropriate recommendations into action to achieve increased cash reserves, higher enrollment levels, and long-term stability. At the end of the day, we all have a singular purpose—advance school leadership to enrich the student experience.
We offer personalized consultations for many leadership divisions of a private school—the Board of Trustees, School Heads, the Business Office, the Development Office, Enrollment Management professionals, Marketing professionals, and Academic leaders. Select the area of school leadership you’d like to further explore.

ISM’s Consulting Services can be conducted onsite and virtually, ensuring you get the support you need, no matter the circumstances. Email schoolsuccess@isminc.com for more information.
Our Consulting Services
Academic Leadership
Your programs set your school apart. Explore how to create and build programs that pull families in and give them an experience they couldn’t have at another private-independent school.
Admission & Enrollment Management
ISM’s data-informed approach pinpoints what attracts families to your school and inspires them to stay. Receive customized solutions based on your school’s unique marketplace stance, challenges, and opportunities.
Board of Trustees
The Board must focus its efforts on governing, planning, and financing your school's future, while leaving everyday decisions to competent administrators. To do that successfully, your Board must think, plan, and act strategically.
Business & Operations
Take advantage of a full range of planning, facilities, and operations consulting services that give your school a solid footing for the future. Examine where your key operations work well, and where they can use improvement.
Fundraising & Development
Learn how to develop successful strategies to engage and bring donors closer to your institution. No matter your school size, history, or pedagogy, explore how to plan, implement, and evaluate your fundraising strategies to realize your full potential.
Marketing Communications
Explore how to share exceptional stories of student learning, engagement, and outcomes, and illustrate how these can become differentiators that distinguish your school from your competitors.
School Head
Whether you want to ensure that all school functions run at peak efficiency or are considering implementing new strategies and initiatives, lean on a trusted source of knowledge to increase the likelihood of long-term success.
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One-on-One Coaching for New Heads
Work with an ISM Consultant in your first years of Headship to set you on a path to success.
•Data-Driven Diagnostics •
• Coaching •
• Customized Support •
Help Your School Thrive
ISM members receive access to exclusive, research-based strategies for every leadership division of your school. Take advantage of guidance, savings, and much more.
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See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.
Four Ways to Enhance Stewardship for Your Donors and Prospects
Fundraising // January 29, 2023
Fundraising plans, strategies, and expectations have been significantly impacted over the past few years. Beyond the vast implications of the global pandemic, independent schools navigate additional circumstances, such as political unrest, unpredictable economic times, international tensions, reevaluation of personal growth, and more.
Read MoreTelehealth Is Bridging the Mental Health Care Gap
School Health and Wellness // January 29, 2023
Today’s teens need mental health care support more than ever before. Statistics concerning the mental health challenges adolescents experience are alarming—and seem to be increasing in severity.
Read MoreFive Hallmarks of a Mission-Driven Learning Support Program
Academic Leadership // January 15, 2023
When examining and reflecting on the efficacy of your school's current learning support program, consider the five hallmarks to ensure success.
Read MoreTake an Active Role in Your International Students' Health Insurance
School Leadership // January 15, 2023
By providing health care insurance, you will ease your international students' transition, alleviate confusion, and simplify your administrative responsibilities.
Read MoreHelp Your School Community Stay Healthy This Cold and Flu Season
School Health and Wellness // January 15, 2023
The sniffling and sneezing we experience during these dark winter months often result in empty classroom seats and delayed academic progress. There may also be a call for substitute teachers and thoughts of remote learning.
Read MoreWhat Happens When Stress and Perfectionism Lead to Something More?
School Health and Wellness // December 18, 2022
Students are stressed. American teens rated their stress levels at an average score of 5.8 out of 10—typical values for adults are 3.8 out of 10. Many things are contributing to student stress. They faced academic, athletic, social, and cultural pressures—both online and in-person. With social media, teens are overexposed and vulnerable. Additionally, new research tells us that young adults are facing more pressure from their parents to be perfect than past generations.
Read MoreFour Ways to Listen With Compassion to Boost Staff Morale
School Health and Wellness // December 4, 2022
Following years of shutdowns, remote learning, and disruptions to school plans, teachers are feeling exhausted. In 2021, RAND reported one in four teachers considered leaving their position by year’s end.
Read MoreFive Ways to Promote Agency in a Student-Centered Classroom
Academic Leadership // December 4, 2022
Inquiry-based and project-based learning are becoming standard practice, and student agency, or “voice and choice,” is recognized pedagogy. Nurturing agile and innovative learners through modern classrooms helps prepare students for real-world experiences, empowering them to advocate for themselves, make decisions, and strengthen their resolve.
Read MoreWhat You Should Know About Gen Z Marketing
Marketing Communications // November 20, 2022
Generation Z—also referred to as Zoomers or Gen Zers—is already making waves as they come of age and increase their buying power, their influence, and their impact on organizations.
Read MoreHow to Ensure a Healthy Holiday Season for Your School Community
School Health and Wellness // November 20, 2022
We all know the telltale signs of the winter holiday season: the leaves change, daylight hours are short and the sun sets hours earlier, and holiday music returns for another year of cheer. But with all the festive fun comes stress, seasonal depression, and unhealthy activities.
Read More