Purposeful marketing can help lead to full enrollment and even waitpools. But setting your budget and allocating expenses requires time, research, and, of course, careful attention to the efficacy of your various campaigns. ISM’s consulting experience suggests schools produce the best results whe...

The concept of Universal Design was first introduced by architect Ron Mace in the 1980s. His theory, based on architectural design, focused on the idea that you could design products and environments that would work for everyone, as well as meet ADA requirements. Consider a sidewalk curb, which i...

Classrooms are places for social education as much as they are for academic education. By building classrooms centered on emotional literacy, teachers show students how to establish meaningful relationships with others and, ultimately, how to feel more in control of their lives. That might sound ...

A private-independent school’s sustainability is inextricably linked to its advancement efforts—that is, its ability to attract and retain aligned students and families and to raise philanthropic gifts that help fulfill its mission and vision. In many schools, advancement is synonymous with devel...

Substance abuse in the adolescent populations has soared over the last several years. Media reports of this upward trajectory suggest a hopeless battle. But targeted prevention efforts are showing significant success, and it all starts at school. Get the Facts Marijuana is now legal across muc...

Admission, Enrollment Management, and International Program Directors constantly look for new ways to attract international students while also guaranteeing that the influx of new students will benefit the school and the educational program. Midyear enrollment is a viable strategy. In this articl...

For many schools, the viability of their international student programs depends on the support of host families. Finding and keeping reliable host parents is a common challenge. Juggling the recruitment and retention of homestay families, and mitigating your program’s risk can quickly become over...

School administrators are responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, managing the faculty and staff, and ensuring their students receive the best possible education. However, with these responsibilities comes the risk of potential liabilities and lawsuits that can have long-lasting negative i...

Understanding constituents’ needs, opinions, and concerns is critical for a school to effectively serve its students, parents, Board, alumni, and other community members. Surveys are one of the best and most effective ways to gather this information. Surveys can help schools: gain valuable ...

There are countless ways to handle a stressful situation. One person might go for a run while another turns to their yoga mat or a coveted chocolate stash. For adolescents—especially in our post-pandemic world—having access to healthy coping skills is critical. And while sometimes school itself i...