Virtual & Onsite Consulting Services

Onsite Consulting
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.

 

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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See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.

Attention: Updated Employment Law Guide

Business and Operations // January 7, 2010

On November 30, 2009, The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), released an updated version of the Employment Law Guide, an online resource directed at employers and workers that describes the major employment laws affecting the workplace. This updated version addresses recent changes in laws including the increase in federal minimum wage and an expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

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Holiday Parties: Risks and Pitfalls

Private School News // December 28, 2009

You may have already had your holiday party, or perhaps this year's celebration was cancelled because of the trying economy. However, the following article is a nice resource to keep handy for all future office gatherings.

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Board Members and PR Practitioners Speak Two Different Languages

Private School News // December 28, 2009

(Ideas in this article were inspired by an article published by MarketingProfs.) We're in a time when CEOs, Board Members, and executives are looking for everything they can trim from the bottom line. And when it comes to marketing efforts, especially PR efforts, these are among the first and last to be examined. PR professionals struggle with how to express their successes in a way that executives can recognize as positive influences for the school's future. In private schools, the role of PR can fall upon different positions: Admission Directors, Development Officers, or perhaps an outside agency. Regardless of where the responsibility lies, there is still a disconnect between those making budget decisions and those developing marketing materials.

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New Mileage Rates for 2010 Announced

Private School News // December 28, 2009

Business Managers, we know you've been waiting all year for this! (We're kidding.) The IRS has announced the new mileage rates for 2010, and starting January 1, 2010, they will take effect for cars, vans, and trucks used for business.

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New Federal Study Shows an Increase in U.S. Autism Cases

Private School News // December 28, 2009

(This article is based on a recent publication by Education News.) A new federal study released last week revealed that one in 110 8-year-old U.S. children are diagnosed with autism. This study was conducted from a 2006 sample consisting of 307,790 children.

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Prizes for Philanthropic Efforts Are on the Rise

Advancement // December 11, 2009

The nonprofit world is seeing an upturn in the use of prizes and cash awards for philanthropic efforts, which in turn is helping spark innovative approaches to solving social problems. Prizes for philanthropic-minded efforts are increasing not only in number, but also in the size of the cash awards; they're also being applied to a broader range of issues than in the past.

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In This Recession Lies a Golden Opportunity

Advancement // December 11, 2009

There is an awful lot of gloom and doom out there. Your annual fund may not be on target. Others are seeing decreasing participation or decreasing dollars. Others are seeing decreasing participation, but increasing dollars. One thing is certain—the economy is playing havoc with your campaigns. The prospect of a capital campaign seems like a potential disaster.

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Cultivation Now Reaps Rewards Later

Advancement // December 11, 2009

We know your numbers—the amount you need to raise—are weighing heavily on your mind. But one thing is certain—the economy will rebound. This is a great time to get to know, cultivate, and steward your donors like never before. Why? When the rebound happens, you won't be caught flat-footed. Your donors and prospects will be primed to give as soon as they are ready and able. You need to be involving those donors and prospects in the life of your school now.

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Bonding With New Parents

Advancement // December 11, 2009

New parents are just like new students to your school. They need a warm welcome, an introduction to other parents, and an education on what it really means to be part of an independent school community. They've written their first tuition check, and in a heartbeat, they will be receiving an annual fund solicitation.

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