Stability Is Key for a Healthy School Culture

School Heads // June 25, 2023

Being a student-centered school means ensuring students are at the forefront of decision-making by adults. But for adults to be able to support students, they themselves need to be well-supported by school leaders who ensure the wellness of all adults on campus. A culture where there is predictab...

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Development Office Dilemma: Eliminating New Job Jitters

Fundraising // June 25, 2023

Starting a new job can be stressful. Navigating the unknowns while trying to fit in personally and professionally can fray even the strongest nerves! But new Development Directors have a leg up. They can offset the learning curve by transferring many of their skills to their new private school en...

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ISM Expands Its Advancement Consulting Team

ISM Announcements // June 4, 2023

ISM is thrilled to welcome two new full-time Consultants to our Advancement Team. Phil Higginson, IAP-L, joins ISM as a full-time development and fundraising Consultant on July 1. A nationally recognized independent school development leader, Phil brings tremendous experience in annual giving, ma...

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The Unexpected Mental Health Benefits of Makerspaces

Academic Leadership // June 4, 2023

No educator needs to be told there’s a student mental health crisis. Many causes have contributed to the drastic decline in student well-being, but a new study in the Journal of Pediatrics takes a different perspective. The study argued that the decrease in time allotted for independent student a...

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Pros and Cons of SEO vs. PPC For Your School

Marketing Communications // June 4, 2023

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...

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Creating the Universal Learning Classroom: What Does It Mean?

Academic Leadership // May 21, 2023

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...

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Storytelling as a Tool to Teach Emotional Literacy in Lower School

School Health and Wellness // May 21, 2023

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 ...

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Getting Your Trustees on Board With Advancement Initiatives

Marketing Communications // May 21, 2023

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...

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Vaping and Drug Use Prevention: How to Reach a Teenage Audience

School Health and Wellness // May 21, 2023

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...

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Should You Consider Midyear Enrollment for Your International Student Program?

School Leadership // May 21, 2023

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...

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