Virtual & Onsite Consulting Services


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 virtually, ensuring you get the support you need, no matter the circumstances. Learn more by contacting our School Success team.
Our Consulting Services
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
Why Innovative Teaching in a Post-Pandemic Classroom Matters
Academic Leadership // December 16, 2021
As schools respond to their communities’ expectations for a return to normalcy, questions arise: What have you learned from the pandemic’s unwelcomed lessons? Should your school return to business as usual—and do you want to? What will your “new normal” look like?
Read MoreHealth and Wellness Trends to Watch in 2022
School Health and Wellness // December 16, 2021
As a result of the pandemic, health and wellness conversations exploded—forcing us to re-evaluate practices and products in use.
Read MoreThree Things to Consider Before Making the 2022–2023 Tuition Decision
Business and Operations // December 15, 2021
Despite the unusual circumstances of the past year and a half, educational institutions must still consider the annual question of tuition rates. Unfortunately, the increase of programs and services, talent needs, digital infrastructure, and more have all increased the importance of carefully considering tuition costs.
Read MoreTaking the Mystery Out of the Fundraising Ask
Fundraising // December 2, 2021
Donor solicitation is a process, not just an event. It’s an opportunity to gauge a prospective donor’s interest, followed by an open invitation to invest in your school. Solicitation is a time to investigate donor enthusiasm and identify opportunities that resonate with them.
Read MoreCelebrate Positive Psychology to Instill Mental Health Resilience
School Health and Wellness // December 2, 2021
Even before the pandemic, ISM’s research revealed 70% of teens said anxiety and depression are major problems. While some dismiss this judgment by reasoning that “we’re just talking about it more,” the dramatic increase in teen suicide rates underscores the validity of this conclusion and the real consequences we must face.
Read MorePersonal Pronouns: What They Are, and Why Your School Should Care About Them
School Leadership // December 2, 2021
Adolescence is one of the great equalizers in life. No matter your background or country of origin, everyone can relate to the storm of feelings circulating in maturing minds and bodies: uncertain, awkward, insecure, and confused. One of the most basic forms of self-discovery is gender identification. Here’s what your school should know about personal pronouns.
Read MoreChange Your Financial Aid Program Strategy: Helpful FAQ
Business and Operations // November 18, 2021
The term “financial aid” typically elicits misunderstandings at best, and outdated stereotypes at worst. As schools move into financial aid season, we want to equip you with clarifications and answers to the most commonly asked questions about how a financial aid program can best support your school’s strategic plan. Here’s how you can change your financial aid program strategy.
Read MoreCaring for the Whole Child: International Student Challenges
School Health and Wellness // November 17, 2021
International students may face culture shock, language barriers, difficulty understanding their teachers, and myriad other challenges—including mental health—as they leave all they know and everyone they love behind. Being a student is a challenge; being an international student is an even bigger one. Here’s how to care for the whole child.
Read MoreFive Steps to Create a Content Marketing Strategy for Your School
Enrollment Management // November 17, 2021
Digital marketing is here to stay. And with that comes a term you’ve likely heard a time or two: content marketing. Chances are you’re aware of the impact content marketing can have on your school, but maybe you’re not sure exactly how to create an effective strategy. We discuss five steps to create a content marketing strategy for your school.
Read MoreSeven Actions You Can Take Now for Annual Giving
Fundraising // November 7, 2021
The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged all development staff to rethink fundraising strategies and to build the relationships critical for success. As with all things COVID-19 related, fundraising strategy can feel like a moving target. Here are suggestions to help you continue moving forward.
Read More