Sneak Peek at Gold Membership

ISM Membership connects you to a community of mission-driven leaders who will help you strengthen every aspect of your school.

Whether you’re navigating strategic planning, board development, enrollment challenges, or faculty culture, ISM membership ensures you’re never facing decisions alone. You’ll gain access to research-backed strategies, exclusive resources, and personalized support from experienced school leaders who understand the unique opportunities and pressures of independent schools.

Ideas & Perspectives

Each year, ISM members receive 10 issues of Ideas & Perspectives (I&P), along with an archive of 9,000+ time-tested I&P articles online. ISM’s flagship publication for school leadership, I&P shares targeted research, actionable insights, and sound theory with school leaders.

The Cost of Culture Erosion in Independent Schools

Volume 50 Issue 7 ● September 18, 2025

Is cultural erosion stealing the soul of your school?

Setting a Data-Driven Annual Fund Goal

Volume 50 Issue 4 ● April 1, 2025

Most schools depend on the annual fund to balance their operating budgets — here’s why ISM disagrees with this approach.

Are Your Middle and Upper School Schedules Outdated?

Volume 50 Issue 4 ● April 1, 2025

Does your schedule encourage student well-being and learning?

Enrollment Challenges? Look Inward Before Looking Out

Volume 50 Issue 3 ● March 1, 2025

External factors may contribute to a school’s enrollment stagnation, but they rarely tell the whole story.

Free Access to All ISM Live & On-Demand Webinars

ISM member schools can tune in for 50+ webinars led by ISM consultants and industry experts each year (a $8,000 value). Plus, they access our library of 300+ on-demand webinars!

Beyond the Numbers: Leveraging Surveys for Strategic Success

The State of Student Well-Being in 2025: Trend Lines and Next Steps

Breaking Down Silos: Building an Advancement-Oriented School

From Day One to Year One: Ensuring New Leaders Thrive

ISM consultants bring a depth of experience that meets a wide range of school needs. They don’t just offer advice—they deliver engaging, research-based training that’s practical, relevant, and rooted in what truly works for independent schools.

ADDITIONAL GOLD MEMBER BENEFITS

Savings on Workshops

ISM offers year-round opportunities for professional development for private-independent school administrators at every stage of their careers. School leaders who invest in continual learning help their school meet its goals and empower its students. Gold members receive discounts on workshops.

Savings on Consulting

There is no one-size-fits-all approach that will help your school succeed. Ensure your school’s strategies support your mission with unique, customized solutions to propel your school to the next level of excellence. Use ISM’s unique recommendations to help your school meet its goals rapidly, creatively, effectively, and efficiently. Gold members save up to 10% on ISM consulting services.

Three 30-Minute Phone or Virtual Conversations

Your school may schedule up to three individual 30-minute phone or virtual conversations with any ISM Consultant to ask about a problem, seek advice, or to discuss published ISM recommendations.

See All Upcoming Webinars

webinar

The Six Domains of Well-being: A Framework for Student Flourishing

Date(s): 2/24/2026 ● Time: 2:00pm ET ● Status: Open

Explore a research-based framework for aligning schoolwide efforts and strengthening student well-being.

$0.00
For all members & General

webinar

Tuition Increases: Has the Market Reached Elasticity Yet?

Date(s): 2/25/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open

Explore what ISM’s latest research reveals about tuition, enrollment risk, and pricing decisions schools can no longer avoid.

$161.00
General

$0.00 For all members

webinar

Five Things Heads Need to Know about Leading Advancement Efforts

Date(s): 3/4/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open

Discover the high-leverage ways heads of school can lead advancement to advance mission and ensure long-term sustainability.

$0.00
For all members & General

webinar

Building a Leadership Giving Program Through the Annual Fund

Date(s): 3/11/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open

Discover a practical framework for strengthening leadership participation, increasing top-tier annual gifts, and building momentum over three years.

$161.00
General

$0.00 For all members

webinar

How School Structure and Culture Shape Student Flourishing

Date(s): 3/18/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open

Examine how schedules, policies, and traditions shape student well-being, and identify practical ways to create a more student-centered experience.

$161.00
General

$0.00 For all members

webinar

AI Readiness Framework Dimensions 3&4: Communication/Operations (for Levels 1-2)

Date(s): 3/25/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open

Establish clear communication and operational foundations to ensure AI experimentation stays coordinated, clear, and manageable.

$161.00
General

$0.00 For all members

webinar

AI Readiness Framework Dimensions 3&4: Communication/Operations (for Levels 3-4)

Date(s): 3/26/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open

Align your communication and operational systems to move AI from experimental pilots to sustainable, school-wide integration.

$161.00
General

$0.00 For all members

webinar

Establishing a Donor Portfolio System for Major Donor Management

Date(s): 4/15/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open

Explore a disciplined, relationship-centered approach to managing major donors through clear portfolios, moves management, and shared leadership responsibility.

$161.00
General

$0.00 For all members