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.
Questions? Let's Talk!
Your message has been sent.
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.
Search
See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.
Why the Well-Being of the School Head Matters
School Heads // February 1, 2018
Research proves that the well-being of the School Head can have a profound impact on the school. ISM recently conducted an investigation into how the well-being of the School Head truly impacts school outcomes, including faculty culture, student enrollment, and the Head’s own long-term success.
Read MoreShould You Re-enroll Students Who Owe Tuition?
School Heads // February 1, 2018
A student is behind on tuition, but his or her family has promised to pay the remaining amount. When contracts for the following year are sent, that student commits to re-enrollment. Now the school needs to make a choice—do you re-enroll a student who owes tuition from a previous term?
Read More5 Ways to Start Your Morning on the Right Foot
Private School News // January 30, 2018
For most of us, January mornings are cold, dark, and downright hard. But using your morning effectively can be a great way to center yourself for the day ahead, ensuring you can give your best to your job and family. Read on for five ways to start your morning on the right foot.
Read MoreSchool Spotlight: The Westfield School Experiences 10% Enrollment Growth After a 10-Year Decline
Private School News // January 30, 2018
Many factors impact enrollment: student experience, family perceptions, community involvement, and much more. But, as any School Head or Advancement Director will tell you, the issues of enrollment and re-enrollment drive many conversations and are a top focus for most of the Leadership Team. The Westfield School, a coed day school in Perry, GA, that serves more than 540 pre-K through 12th grade students, was no exception. However, School Head William Carroll and his team had identified a troubling trend—enrollment had slowly declined for the past 10 years. The Westfield School knew it was time to make a change.
Read MoreClosing the Risk Gap for Sexual Misconduct
Private School News // January 30, 2018
Accidents happen no matter how prepared your campus, faculty and staff, and students are. Sometimes bad things happen despite our efforts to prevent them. However, when the risks are culture-related, such as instances of sexual misconduct, there are many policies schools can implement to change those behaviors.
Read MoreParent Involvement and ‘Stage-Setting’
Board of Trustees // January 24, 2018
It’s no surprise that research supports the notion that students fare better in school when their parents are involved in their education. However, what does “parent involvement” mean?
Read MoreWhy You Can’t Afford to Be Without D&O Insurance
Board of Trustees // January 24, 2018
Directors & Officers insurance (also known as School Legal or Trustee Liability insurance) may be the most critical insurance and protection for your school. Damages sought under D&O insurance can range anywhere from a nuisance claim to one seeking millions of dollars in compensation. This may include a request for punitive damages if the action in question is considered egregious enough—especially if the school knew of a wrong action that was occurring and did nothing to stop it.
Read MoreHow to Create Job Descriptions to Attract Great New Teachers
Academic Leadership // January 22, 2018
Hiring can be one of the most time-consuming and nerve-wracking aspects of your job as an academic leader. The first step in a successful hiring process is creating a comprehensive job description that attracts the right applicants. Craft a job description that accurately portrays an open role’s expected responsibilities, education level, and characteristics. Also focus on what sets your school apart from others in the marketplace to ensure you find the right person to fill each position.
Read MoreWhy Positivity Matters in Your School
Academic Leadership // January 22, 2018
Academic leaders are tasked with creating school systems that support teachers and help students succeed. ISM’s research indicates that cultivating a positive atmosphere—one where faculty members provide a predictive and supportive environment—is essential to making student success a reality.
Read MoreThe Information Parents Value Most
Advancement // January 17, 2018
The Marketing and Communications Office is a driving force in providing information about your school to parents. But how do parents prefer to receive this information?
Read More