As the Admission Director or Summer Program Director, you have watched your school’s summer program grow. Not only are more of your academic-year students participating, but there are often more students from public schools coming as well.

ISM has long advocated using the conceptual framework of the Comprehensive Development Model as a foundation for evaluating the effectiveness of development programs. Its six elements—the Strategic Board, Professional and Volunteer Leadership, Case for Giving, Prospects and Donors, Plan of Action, and Donor-Centered Programs—drive program excellence and success.

Year after year, families have an increasing variety of school choices. Not only has the total number of private-independent schools increased, but there also has been a rise in virtual, charter, and homeschool options.

Private schools enjoy the benefits of a close-knit community with constituents who share a belief in the school’s values and mission. These shared values frequently become strikingly apparent within two organizations formed to support the school’s constituencies—namely, your Parent and Alumni Associations.

The IRS has established requirements for private school Boards, recognizing schools as nonprofit businesses. Your Committee on Trustees should periodically review IRS regulations to ensure your Board complies with these requirements. Failure can jeopardize your school’s tax-exempt status.

For years, ISM has encouraged schools to base their marketing communications strategy on three pillars—Mission, Portrait of the Graduate, and Characteristics of Professional Excellence—which ISM calls Purpose and Outcome Statements.

As Board Chair, you frequently focus on growing and developing your school’s Board. A key growth strategy is creating a Board profile so you recruit new Trustees with the necessary talents to bring your strategic plan to life.

A well-conceived, concerted effort is necessary to educate all your school’s constituents about a planned giving program.

Many private schools are concerned about the number of teachers available for current and future hiring, particularly because of the omnipresent concern about a teacher shortage. One way to ensure an exemplary faculty at your school is to implement a teacher intern program.

Your school plans a construction project, perhaps a new building or major remodeling of an existing facility. Before serious planning—much less design work—begins on this project, thoroughly scrutinize state and local environmental laws and zoning requirements.