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.
Insurance Questions to Ask; Answers to Have
Business and Operations // February 2, 2020
The Business Office is the foundation of private school operations. A well-run Office, with the correct procedures, plans, and safeguards in place, helps keep all other aspects of the school in good order. As part of running an effective office, the Business Manager or CFO must ask the right questions and take the right steps. Today we’ve compiled some questions you might not think to ask when it comes to your school’s insurance policies.
Read MoreWhy the Processes of Faculty Growth and Evaluation Should Be Separated
Academic Leadership // February 2, 2020
Evaluation does not improve teacher performance. Teachers improve by growing. This concept might sound simple, but it is the key principle of Comprehensive Faculty Development, ISM’s framework for how school’s should evaluate and support their teachers.
Read MoreThree Basic Questions About the Planning Document to Expect From Head Candidates
Board of Trustees // February 2, 2020
Before applying for an open Headship, most candidates familiarize themselves with a prospective school’s history and general prospects. They typically review various advancement and marketing materials, the website, and social media efforts. They may even seek constituents’ viewpoints on issues, goa...
Read MoreHow to Master Parent Communication
Advancement // February 2, 2020
It’s up to the Marketing and Communications Department to set the tone for your school’s parent communication strategy. We recommend using these tactics to guide your efforts.
Read MoreHow Private Schools Should Respond to the Coronavirus
Private School News // January 29, 2020
The coronavirus, a quick-spreading respiratory illness, has reached the United States. Many schools are wondering how to react now that additional cases have been confirmed in the U.S., including cases on college campuses. Schools with vibrant international student programs are looking for guidance.
Read MoreThinking About Increasing Your Private School’s Tuition? Read This.
Business and Operations // January 16, 2020
Many school leaders fear that raising tuition scares away prospective and current families. However, ISM’s research continues to debunk this notion.
Read MoreScheduling Mistakes for Private Schools to Avoid
School Heads // December 18, 2019
Your schedule impacts everything. As School Head, you know the right schedule must reflect your school’s resources, philosophy, and mission, using a mix of available time, people, programs, and space.
Read MoreHow Prince of Peace Christian School Grew Its Annual Fund From $225,000 to $1.6 Million
Private School News // December 17, 2019
See how the Prince of Peace Christian School team implemented new strategies to grow their annual fund by 644% and surpass their biggest goals.
Read MoreFrom Millennials to Boomers: How to Communicate With Today’s Parents
Advancement // December 13, 2019
You need your messages to resonate with parents on everything from big picture value to tactical, day-to-day information. But how do you reach them where they are, and ensure they get the information they need? Every generation desires prefers to receive information differently.
Read MoreHow to Have Difficult Conversations With Families About Financial Aid
Business and Operations // December 12, 2019
Financial aid can be a sensitive topic for families and schools alike.To add to the tension, there will inevitably be families that don’t receive the amount of aid they applied for. Some will accept this number and others will request a conversation with your financial aid decision-maker to hear your school’s reasoning for its award. When it comes to these conversations, keep these tips in mind.
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