The expression “deliberate heterogeneity” reflects ISM’s commitment to private-independent schools truly delivering each school’s unique mission to its unique students (i.e., deliberately, and not being uniform). The term is defined as a school’s desire to articulate and exemplify its mission distinctives in the marketplace, and thus its confidence in being able to appeal to that marketplace through the power of its own voice. The expression reflects our concern that our schools are being unduly influenced by an educational movement toward homogeneity that strikes at the core of an independent school’s character and competitive position. We introduce the phrase “deliberate heterogeneity” to galvanize schools, one at a time, to take on their mission responsibility and deliver it in creative and innovative ways. Heterogeneity includes your school’s values, unique history, culture, and circumstances influencing your mission-in-action.