We find that many schools have questions when it comes to their financial aid policies. They aren’t sure if they award financial aid in the most effective way, and want to ensure their policies follow the correct guidelines, are fair and consistent for students and their families, and support their school’s mission.

Safety is a top concern for families who choose to send their children to private-independent schools. That is why it’s imperative for your school’s crisis plan to be up-to-date, thorough, and top-of-mind, especially for the Business Office. Protect the safety of your students and your community by practicing precise drills often. We recommend including the following four drills in every crisis plan, as well as any others that make sense for your school.

Your mission statement must describe the scope and guidance your school needs to define its purpose in a directive, clear, and distinguishing manner. Chances are that your school has already created a mission statement. But if it fails to distinguish your program from others in the marketplace, consider reevaluation.

Your role as School Head is to lead by example, inspire enthusiasm among faculty and staff, and ultimately enrich the student experience. The job requires patience, hard work, and dedication. It also requires thoughtful planning to create and maintain a positive relationship with Board members.

Families and parents today are busier than ever. As the hustle and bustle of the holidays arrive and families add more to their plates, offering holiday childcare can be an added value to current students and a differentiator for prospective families.

“There is no system in the world or any school in the country that is better than its teachers. Teachers are the lifeblood of the success of schools.” –Sir Ken Robinson. This quote from Sir Ken Robinson, New York Times bestselling author, TED speaker, and education advisor, has found continued support with the results of a new study.

The holidays are in full swing and gift giving may be top-of-mind for many in your school. Administrators, teachers, and families give and receive gifts at this time of year, so it’s in your best interest to establish policies and procedures that define acceptable gifts, amounts that can be spent, and more.

As changes occur, a private school often “slides” from the original intent of its mission statement. When was the last time your Board reviewed your school's mission to ensure that it is still going in the right direction?

The School Head is the sole employee of the Board. A reasonable contractual agreement encourages moderation, compromise, and perspective for this professional relationship. Far from denying mutual trust, a contract confirms it.

One role of an academic administrator is to help educators maximize their teaching time in the classroom. We therefore recommend that every team review the amount of actual teaching days allotted in your school year calendar.