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What are the latest trends impacting private-independent school enrollment? How can you be the most effective in your role as an administrator? How can you help your school meet its mission and best serve your students?
Check out Community Corner, a free blog from ISM.
We cover such topics as how to communicate with your constituencies, work with your fellow school leaders, leverage new technology trends, utilize recommended reading and resources, implement new strategies—all to better serve your school's mission.
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See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.
Three Dimensions of Meaningful Professional Development
School Heads // September 10, 2018
The beginning of the school year adds many duties and tasks to your to-do list—welcoming students and families back to campus, hosting Back to School Night and other events, ramping up classes, and much more. This is also when the School Head begins planning the year’s professional development for faculty and administrators. Quality professional development that’s carefully planned and focused can directly correlate to higher levels of student engagement, satisfaction, and performance.
Read MoreHow to Spur a Successful Survey Initiative
School Heads // September 10, 2018
You make important decisions every day in your school. From deciding what actions will support the strategic plan to creating a quality experience for students, families, and employees, you want to truly understand what your constituencies want before implementing any new initiatives.
Read MoreStudent Visa Denials: How You Can Help
Private School News // August 24, 2018
Summer 2018 saw student visa denials—nonimmigrant F-1, M-1 and J-1— like never before. Scores of schools and international students reported this phenomenon and it will likely impact 2018–19 overall enrollment numbers.
Read MoreRemembering ISM’s Founder, Rod Snelling
Private School News // August 21, 2018
Rod Snelling made a difference in the world through his devotion to private-independent school education. His leadership at Independent School Management will be sorely missed. He pioneered innovative concepts that led to the founding of our company, the first analysis firm in the United States dealing exclusively with private-independent schools. Since ISM’s inception, thousands of administrators and schools in North America and abroad have benefited from his theory, research, and analysis.
Read MoreThese Three Differentiators No Longer Set Your School Apart
Private School News // July 25, 2018
Parents want the best possible education for their children. As they shop different schools and programs, they will often ask, “What makes your school different?” Many school administrators will respond with their school’s mission as well as its ability to prepare students for college, its dedication to academic rigor, and its focus on small class size and student-to-teacher ratio.
Read MoreHow Students Feel About Online Privacy
Private School News // July 25, 2018
According to the Pew Research Center, 95% of teens report they have access to or own a smartphone. In fact, this ownership is “nearly universal among teens of different genders, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.” Additionally, 45% say they’re online on a near-constant basis. With so much of their lives spent online, it might be easy to assume that teens share every aspect of their days with the world without a care for privacy. But a new research study finds this isn’t necessarily so.
Read MoreYoga Shown to Help Students Better Manage Stress and Anxiety
Private School News // July 25, 2018
Surveys show that students and educators are increasingly more stressed. According to researchers, 61% of educators say their work is “always” or “often” stressful, and students deal with constant and evolving pressure to maintain perfect grades, be involved in various activities, and come of age in an online world. However, new research illustrates that school-based yoga can help combat some of the stress and anxiety that students and educators face today.
Read MoreThree Things to Know to Start a Successful School Store
Private School News // June 27, 2018
Starting or managing your school store can be a large undertaking. What items should you sell? How do you price them? Should you run a physical location or offer items exclusively online? How do you market your inventory? Will people actually buy? Which office should manage the store? You’re not alone. Many private-independent school administrators have questions when it comes to running a successful school store.
Read MoreRaising Independent Children
Private School News // June 27, 2018
Many students are not empowered to be independent thinkers—and this impacts both their personal lives and their educational careers. Although schools’ mission statements include that they generate generations of independent thinkers, students often don’t learn or apply these skills away from campus. New research shows that overprotecting children can impact confidence, decision-making skills, and overall mental health.
Read MoreEncourage Healthy Habits to Help Prepare Students for College
Private School News // June 27, 2018
We previously covered that cultivating healthy habits can improve how you function in your role as a school administrator. And a recent study highlights that students who maintain healthy habits can exhibit more motivation to attend college.
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