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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?
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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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From the Private School Blogosphere
Private School News // May 30, 2012
Blogs, forums, chat rooms, listservs—the choices go on and on. These can be valuable resources for finding alternative opinions and information about almost anything. From general private school news to just needing a quick laugh to fuel the rest of your day, blogs can remind you that you're not alone in the all-too often chaotic world of private-independent education.
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2012 Recommended Summer Reading List
Private School News // May 30, 2012
Summer is nearly here. Although you’re campus is buzzing with excited graduating seniors and new student tours, you’re also gearing up for the down time that summer vacation bring. With some extra time to yourself, this is the perfect opportunity to make a dent in your reading wish list. Here are a few we recommend.
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Scheduling and the 21st Century
Academic Leadership // May 24, 2012
In the 20th century, the prime concern in scheduling was to fit everything in that adults thought was important, i.e., the classes and lunch. School was, indeed, a place where students and teachers rarely ran from one place to the other, and the schedule was just another organizational tool that helped keep everything in order. As the 20th century drew to its close and the 21st century dawned, the pace and activity of school dramatically increased. Expectations, mandates, requirements, parent demands, college competitiveness, and entrance, even economics, made traditional scheduling obsolete. The old concept of scheduling was no longer adequate to the task.
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How Cool Is This? Anacapa School Launches Near Space Probe
Academic Leadership // May 24, 2012
Students at Anacapa School in California have proven that conquering the final frontier is not reserved for the big space agencies like NASA or multimillionaire Richard Branson. On May 5, members of the Anacapa Near Space Exploration Club launched two payload capsules tethered to a weather balloon—and the on-board camera broadcast its path into near space.
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Get Ready for Summer Admission!
Advancement // May 22, 2012
Just because school is about to wrap up for the year doesn't mean admission work goes dormant. You most likely have some spaces to fill—or even a waiting pool to build. Potential families will be visiting your campus, so your challenge is to make your campus as attractive and lively as possible during the summer months. What will be lacking is the usual hustle and bustle of students and teachers, the living atmosphere that gives your campus its “vibe.” Here are a couple of tips to help put personality into your summer tours.
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Maintain Your School’s Tax-Exempt Status
Board of Trustees // May 22, 2012
A critical element in your Board’s due diligence is keeping abreast of tax law as they relate to your school’s tax-exempt status. Most of the compliance requirements (e.g., record keeping, accounting functions financial statements) are handled at the school level, primarily in the Business Office and Development Office. However, the Board must also be acquainted with the rules concerning disclosure, conflict of interest, and other areas where your school may be at risk of losing its tax-exempt status.
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Sticky Ads: Off the Paper and Onto the Fridge
Advancement // May 22, 2012
For the last few years, sticky ads have been popping up … and standing out … on newspaper front pages. It's the best, most cost-effective way to get your message on the front page, in color, above the fold. Sanford School, DE, has been using this technique since 2009. The school has used sticky notes to get the word out about big open houses as well as its drop-in series. Last year’s spring open house brought in 19 prospects.
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How Two Schools Recognize Some Key Constituents
Advancement // May 14, 2012
One of the most important groups you should focus on building relationships with is grandparents. They love to support their grandchildren’s endeavors, including their schools—by paying tuition, volunteering, and providing financial support.
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How to Keep Track of Your Alumni BEFORE They Enroll
Advancement // May 14, 2012
As Development Director, you are constantly striving to establish and nurture relationships with your families. Your school wants their support whether it is through the annual fund, a capital campaign, or annual auction. But you also want to keep them a part of your school family after their children leave—much like colleges and universities do. A great way to do that is to learn as much as you can about the family as early as possible. And you can start with the admission process.
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Your Financial Reporting Comfort Zone
School Heads // May 8, 2012
As School Head, it’s a good bet that you are not an accountant. Yet, you need to have a handle on what financially is happening with your school. While you have a Business Manager (as most of you do) to handle financial operations, you are still responsible for accurately reporting information to the Board. How comfortable are you with those reports?
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