Community Corner
Community Corner

Stay current with the latest private-independent school news.

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?

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See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.

2017 Summer Reading Recommendations for Business Managers

Business and Operations // June 20, 2017

It’s summertime again—students take off for break and we look forward to a slower pace, if just for a few months. This reprieve from the hectic school year means it’s also a great time to focus on professional development in the form of summer reading.

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Building an International Student Program Team

Business and Operations // June 20, 2017

International student programs have grown tremendously over the past decade in private-independent schools. In response to this growth, more schools have applied for and received SEVP certification in the past few years than ever before. However, in a hasty scramble to meet compliance, some schools are finding themselves with access to a portal they don’t fully understand, responsible for policies they’re vaguely familiar with, and misaligned with other key administrators. If this sounds like your school, don’t worry, we can help.

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How School Heads Can Improve Meeting Efficiency

School Heads // June 14, 2017

Most School Heads attend or lead four to five meetings every week. Meetings take valuable time and should be optimized for maximum efficiency to best serve your needs as well as those of your faculty, staff, administration, and ultimately, students.

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Why We Need to Change From Diversity to Inclusiveness

School Heads // June 14, 2017

The subject of diversity and how it’s approached in private-independent schools continues to be at the forefront of our conversations. Many educators are interested in acknowledging and accepting what makes us different from each other but aren’t sure how to approach the subject with their students and peers.

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How Do You Know If Your Schedule Is Toxic?

Academic Leadership // June 8, 2017

Your mission describes the rich program your school offers, as well as the outcome you intend for every student. It is why parents chose to enroll their children in your school. You deliver that mission through your schedule. As an academic leader in your school, you understand the importance of having a schedule that “works.” But what if it doesn’t?

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Student Mental Health and Your Advisory Program

Academic Leadership // June 8, 2017

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five children has or has had a diagnosable mental health disorder. This may include not only autism, bipolar disorder, and ADHD, but also anxiety, social phobia, depression, and other less-apparent conditions. Unfortunately, many students have not been diagnosed and suffer in silence.

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An Audit Checklist Keeps Your Parent Association on Track!

Advancement // June 7, 2017

When the Parent Association is clear about the role it plays, this organization constitutes one of your school’s strongest assets. Its mission is to support the school’s strategic and operational goals. An annual audit of the association’s functions and responsibilities keeps it on track and avoids potential problems.

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How to Create Unskippable Videos

Advancement // June 7, 2017

Video is a strong medium to incorporate into your school’s advertising mix. After all, what better way to communicate your school’s story than by showing a day in the life of your students? Therefore, the question isn’t if you should focus on video marketing. You absolutely should! Instead, ask yourself: How do we create videos that capture and hold viewers’ attention, generating buzz and interest in our school?

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How to Counsel Out the Ineffective Trustee

Board of Trustees // June 6, 2017

Although it is unfortunate, Board leaders often find themselves dealing with one or more Trustees who have become ineffective in their Board roles. While various issues can lead to this ineffectiveness—burnout, disinterest, overextension, etc.—any Trustee who is not meeting expectations poses a threat to the Board’s morale as well as overall success.

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Indicators of School Crime and Safety

Board of Trustees // June 6, 2017

Creating a “safe haven” for the students at your school is a major Board concern, and making sure all necessary protocols and policies for school safety are in place is a must. With this in mind, consider the report, Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2015, released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the Bureau of Justice Statistics in May 2016.

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