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See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.
Your Questions Answered: How to Start Next Year Off Right as a New School Head
School Heads // March 14, 2021
The start of a new job is an exciting time—enthusiasm and a dose of apprehension often go hand in hand. For a new School Head, the imminent responsibilities and expectations are unique. We recently answered several questions about taking on a new School Head position. We want to share the answers with you here.
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Four Reasons to Incorporate a New Evaluation Framework
Academic Leadership // March 7, 2021
We often discuss ISM’s approach to faculty growth and evaluation that prioritizes predictability and support for teachers, students, and administrators. Our Comprehensive Faculty Development framework has two distinct elements. Today we’re focusing on the benefits of a focused and uniform evaluation framework. If you haven’t already adopted such an approach at your school, consider these four ways it can re-energize your teaching staff.
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10 Tips for Handling Negative Online Comments About Your School
Marketing Communications // March 7, 2021
Negative comments will happen—it's collateral damage resulting from today's digital culture. When they occur online, they can often feel petty, unfair, or even cruel. They might be written by a frustrated parent, unhappy student, or even someone who has never interacted with your school.
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Go Beyond Getting a ‘Yes’ From Parents Who Apply for Admittance
Enrollment Management // March 7, 2021
Marketing your independent school is a never-ending process, and much of it has to do with your enrollment cycle. Whether you are targeting prospective students, bringing accepted students into your community, or encouraging existing students to re-enroll, your work is never done. With a solid enrollment cycle, you can ensure a strong institution.
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How to Ensure Your School's Marketing Is Student-Centered
Marketing Communications // February 28, 2021
There are many audiences you want to reach when marketing your school. You want to appeal to prospective and current parents and students to bolster recruitment and re-recruitment efforts. Perhaps educators want to showcase future teaching opportunities or highlight prominent community members to appeal for their generous support.
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Creating a Culture of Support and Growth in Private Schools
Academic Leadership // February 28, 2021
Students are encouraged to learn and grow each day, both in and out of the classroom. They are given the tools to become critical thinkers—a gift that will serve them long beyond graduation. Acquiring these skills doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it is achieved when there is an established culture of growth and accountability in all aspects of their independent school.
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Breaking Down the Financial Aid “Formula” for Private Schools
Business and Operations // February 28, 2021
There is a right way to budget your financial aid program. The proper way ensures that you use it as a tool to advance your school’s mission, while also strategically increasing revenue and enrollment.
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Three Steps to Building a Strong Foundation for Your Alumni Association
Fundraising // February 21, 2021
Your alumni are some of your school’s most enthusiastic champions. They have matriculated through your programs, experienced your mission at work, and are now members of the community, exemplifying the outcomes your school aims to achieve.
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Leave the Stress Behind to Make Your Next Hire a Success
School Heads // February 21, 2021
Hiring the best candidates in any industry can be challenging, especially during a pandemic. The stress and time-consuming nature of finding and hiring the right person for a specific role too often leads to settling for an “adequate” placement—not a “best hire.”
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How to Tell If Your School Is Ready for a Schedule Change
Academic Leadership // February 21, 2021
If there's ever been a school year where the typical plans, schedules, and procedures have been completely thrown out the window, it's this one. Leading during the COVID-19 pandemic has been trying. It's also created opportunities to rethink systems you always thought were set in stone and completely unchangeable.
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