The One Question School Heads Must Answer to Guarantee Re-enrollment

School Heads // February 18, 2016

As School Head, you play a crucial part in your school’s advancement goals—particularly re-enrollment. There is no one else who can speak on behalf of your school quite as comprehensively and authoritatively as the School Head, which means you personally can wield a great deal of power and persuasion when it comes to student retention. So, while the Admission Office works on accepting new mission-appropriate students, take a moment to address one vital question that no one else can answer.

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Managing Romancing Employees

School Heads // February 18, 2016

In this, the most romantic of months, love is in the air for student sweethearts—and maybe in your administrative ranks, as well. When people spend most of their waking hours together, it’s natural for crushes to form for admirable, available peers, regardless if your school’s policies frown on it or not. If you find that love is swamping your school’s halls and offices, here are some ways in which to keep everyone’s “head in the game”—instead of Cupid’s clouds.

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School Spotlight: Bethany Academy’s “Half-Shot, Half-Tuition” Community Building Fundraiser

Private School News // February 17, 2016

December 2015’s Source for Development Directors featured Bethany Academy’s remarkable viral fundraiser, in which the school’s top fundraising parent made a “miraculous” half-court shot and won half off her daughter’s tuition for the 2016-17 school year. We had a chance to talk with Bethany Academy’s Development Director Rochelle Platter, and discuss what went on behind the scenes to create such a successful fundraiser for the school through a community building event.

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FAST Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Private School News // February 17, 2016

Q: Families often ask me what they can “expect” as an award when they turn in their financial aid applications. They tell me how much they make in a year, thinking that their salaries will be enough information for me to offer a rough award estimate on the spot. Do you have any advice on how to respond?

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Toot Your Own Horn: Writing Effective Bios

Private School News // February 17, 2016

Bios (short for “biography”) are one of those odd professional documents that people never think they’ll be called on to write … until they are. Whether it’s for a blurb in an Open House bulletin or a longer “About Me” page on the school website, professional and engaging bios appear more often than you think—and are often your prospective audience’s first impression of you and your work. That said, bios can be extremely difficult to write. You know yourself and your accomplishments better than anyone, making you the best person to write the bio, but “tooting your own horn” can feel intrinsically uncomfortable. Fear not! There are tricks for pushing through your initial unease. So let’s take a look at how to write the three most common bios you’ll be called on to provide.

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Three TED Talks for Development Directors

Advancement // February 11, 2016

A dose of inspiration can be the best cure to the winter blues, which sap our motivation and creativity. To re-energize you for the second half of the academic year marathon, we found three motivational videos for you to watch over your lunch break (or during your afternoon sanity check).

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Smile for Donations

Advancement // February 11, 2016

In 2014, online megastore Amazon boasted nearly $90 billion in net sales. It currently hosts 54 million “Prime” shoppers subscribing for special deals and the coveted 2-day free shipping option. And now, using the AmazonSmile program, a percentage of those sales can go toward your nonprofit private-independent school.

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7 Ways to Host the Best “Accepted Student Day” Ever!

Advancement // February 10, 2016

While your Admission Office is busy determining who will receive a coveted invitation to attend your school in the 2016-2017 academic year, it’s time to start thinking about how you will convince those accepted students to attend your school. Accepted Student Days are a great way to continue to court those families you’ve determined are mission-appropriate by welcoming them to your campus for a special, accepted-students-only reception, encouraging them to build relationships with current families and faculty. Make your Accepted Student Day an unforgettable event and a wonderful recruitment tool with these seven tips.

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Two (More) Reasons Why Families Leave Your School

Advancement // February 10, 2016

In our last Source issue, we discussed two root causes why parents may choose to withdraw their children from your school: safety concerns and “financial reasons.” This month, we’d like to take a look at two more reasons why re-enrollment is a top priority for your Admission Office this spring. While these aren’t the only problems to watch out for and address during your re-recruitment, they’re certainly common enough to warrant special attention as you continue to court your currently enrolled families for the 2016-2017 academic year.

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10 Compliant Midyear Hiring Practices

Business and Operations // February 4, 2016

Midyear hiring emergencies happen, well, at any time. An employee may need to leave with little or no time to prepare a replacement. To minimize the amount of downtime your school experiences during one of the busiest times of the year while mitigating potential risk of lawsuits, make sure your search aligns with these best hiring practices.

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