Invest in Your Personal Well-Being and Professional Growth
As a Head of School, staying focused on your school’s big-picture goals can be difficult when you’re navigating the daily responsibilities and pressures of operations. This challenge is what prompted us to create our Annual Head’s Retreat — a gathering that gives School Heads the time and space to step back and refocus, discuss emerging trends, and cultivate visionary leadership.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL LEADERS
Explore ISM’s professional development events.
Develop new skills, gain confidence in your role, and lead with clarity. Be mentored by leaders who are experts in their field, many currently working in private schools today. Get hands-on experience, network with fellow school leaders, and walk away with an action plan you can use the minute you return to campus.
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Choosing the Right Employee Benefit Plan: Traditional or Self-Funded?
Date(s): 2/26/2025 ● Time: 2:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Learn how to determine which employee benefits plan aligns with your school’s size, employee healthcare needs, and financial stability.
$0.00
For all members & General
Self-Funded Insurance 101: Taking Control of Risks and Costs
Date(s): 3/6/2025 ● Time: 2:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Discover how private-independent schools can take greater control over their costs, mitigate financial risks, and customize coverage through self-funded insurance.
$0.00
For all members & General
Five Things Heads Need to Know about Building Mission-Aligned Athletic Programs
Date(s): 3/12/2025 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Learn how to balance athletic participation with academics, align program philosophy with school values, and allocate resources effectively — while fostering a healthy culture for student-athletes.
$0.00
For all members & General
Student-Centered Scheduling Design
Date(s): 3/17/2025 — 3/21/2025 ● Status: Open
Examine the latest research in scheduling and classroom instruction to guarantee that your schedule maximizes student learning.
$2,960.00
General & Silver
$2,660.00 Gold
$2,360.00 3+ Person
Breaking Down Silos: Building an Advancement-Oriented School
Date(s): 3/18/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Gain insights into the mindsets, structures, and strategies that support an integrated advancement model in private-independent schools.
$0.00
For all members & General
The Essential Partnership Between the Admission and Business Offices
Date(s): 3/19/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Discover ways the admission and business offices can collaborate strategically to secure a school’s long-term success and achieve its mission.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Maximizing Success: Small Development Shop Series, Part 1 of 4
Date(s): 3/20/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Learn how to maximize success in a small development office by prioritizing high-impact activities, engaging key stakeholders, and streamlining operations for lasting impact.
$0.00
For all members & General
Creating an Employee Benefits Package to Attract & Retain Talent
Date(s): 4/2/2025 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Explore strategic employee benefits solutions that help K–12 private-independent schools hire and keep the best educators and staff.
$0.00
For all members & General
From Enrollment to Engagement: Onboarding Your New Families
Date(s): 4/2/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Learn ways to foster connections and relationships between your school and new families to promote re-enrollment.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Fundraising Essentials: Small Development Shop Series, Part 2 of 4
Date(s): 4/9/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Prioritize and implement high-impact fundraising programs that deliver the greatest return on investment for small independent school development offices.
$0.00
For all members & General
(Re)Build a Strong Advisory Program
Date(s): 4/28/2025 — 5/1/2025 ● Status: Open
Create and implement a thriving advisory program to support your middle and upper school students.
$2,220.00
General & Silver
$1,995.00 Gold
$1,776.00 3+ Person
How to Implement Transformative Faculty Growth and Evaluation
Date(s): 4/29/2025 — 4/30/2025 ● Status: Open
Learn to foster a culture in which faculty thrive and feel secure enough to take the risks necessary for true professional growth.
$1,387.00
General & Silver
$1,240.00 Gold
$1,110.00 3+ Person
Rethinking Student Assessment: Collecting Authentic Evidence of Learning
Date(s): 5/1/2025 — 5/2/2025 ● Status: Open
Explore new methodologies for collecting evidence of meaningful, authentic student learning and comprehension.
$1,110.00
General & Silver
$990.00 Gold
$885.00 3+ Person
Data-Driven Decisions: How to Collect and Analyze Admissions and Enrollment Data
Date(s): 5/1/2025 — 5/2/2025 ● Status: Open
Explore the strategic use of admission and enrollment data to refine processes, inform decision-making, and align strategies with your school’s mission. Learn to leverage data across inquiries, financial aid, and re-enrollment metrics.
$1,020.00
For all members & General
Smart Summer Planning: Small Development Shop Series, Part 3 of 4
Date(s): 5/14/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Explore how to maximize the summer months to position your school for a strong year of fundraising and relationship-building.
$0.00
For all members & General
Hot Topics Discussion: Small Development Shop Series, Part 4 of 4
Date(s): 6/18/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Engage in a dynamic discussion on small-shop development, with expert guidance and peer insights to refine your fundraising strategies and overcome challenges.
$0.00
For all members & General
Early Bird
Chairing Your Department: The First Five Years
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Strengthen your leadership skills, enhance your communication abilities, manage your team with confidence, and align your efforts with your school’s mission and long-term goals.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,995.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Mastering Your Role as Middle School Dean of Students
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/17/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Explore how to support your school’s mission and culture, engage your faculty and staff, and enrich the student experience.
$3,495.00
General & Silver
$3,110.00 Gold
$3,110.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The New Admission Director
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/17/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Gain the skills, strategies, and best practices needed to excel as a new or aspiring admission and enrollment management director.
$3,495.00
General & Silver
$3,110.00 Gold
$3,110.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The Assistant Headship: Leading from Outside the Circle
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/16/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Enhance your leadership skills and elevate your impact as you support your school head.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,220.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Balance Your Roles as Upper School Dean of Students
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Navigate your dynamic and expanding role as an upper school dean of students with confidence, always keeping students at the center of your decisions.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,995.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Leading the Effective Middle School
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Learn how to uphold your school’s mission and culture, engage faculty and staff, and enhance the student experience.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,995.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The New Marketing Communications Director
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/16/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Discover how to excel as a marketing communications director, even if you just aspire to be one someday.
$2,995.00
General & Silver
$2,665.00 Gold
$2,665.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The New Independent School Development Officer
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/17/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Learn strategies and tactics to excel as a new or aspiring development director.
$3,995.00
General & Silver
$3,550.00 Gold
$3,550.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Leading the Effective Lower School
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Transform your lower school into a thriving, student-focused learning community using proven, research-driven strategies.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,995.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The Independent School Business Officer
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/16/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Excel as a strategic business thinker, whether you’re new to the profession, starting in independent schools for the first time, or a seasoned professional.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,220.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Leading the Effective Upper School
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Discover and refine your personal leadership style as you reflect on strategies for faculty evaluation, navigating change, fostering a healthy school culture, and designing a modern schedule.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,995.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Evolve Your Support Program for Students With Learning Differences
Date(s): 7/16/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Discover how to enhance your school’s learning support program to better serve all students.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,220.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Thriving in Headship for the New and Aspiring School Head
Date(s): 7/16/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Discover how to manage the nuances and demands of school headship.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,220.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
14th Annual Advancement Academy
Date(s): 7/21/2025 — 1/24/2025 ● Location: Redondo Beach, CA ● Status: Open
The ISM Advancement Academy is a professional development opportunity like no other. Designed specifically for the needs of private school leaders, this week-long event is hands-on, practical, and collaborative. With guidance from experienced mentors, you'll leave the Advancement Academy with a network, plan, and tools to make an immediate difference at your school.
$4,340.00
General & Silver
$3,860.00 Gold
$3,860.00 3+ Person