Dr. Bryan Smith

Creating Environments Where Students and Educators Thrive

Dr. Bryan Smyth brings a powerful combination of research expertise and school leadership experience to his work with independent schools. Grounded in the belief that healthy school cultures fuel student growth, Bryan helps schools align strategy, structure, and well-being to support every member of the community.

Areas of Focus

• Strategic planning and financial sustainability
• Scheduling and program design
• Leadership development and school performance
• School Culture
• Student well-being
• Advisory programming
• Research design and data interpretation

A Passion for Purposeful Change

Bryan joined ISM in 2013 after more than a decade in independent school leadership. At Mount Pisgah Christian School in Georgia, he served in multiple roles, including Vice President, Head of Upper School, College Advisement Director, and psychology teacher, developing a deep understanding of student needs, leadership dynamics, and institutional complexity. He previously served as Associate Head of School at Brandon Hall School.

Today, Bryan leads ISM’s research initiatives, overseeing study design, data analysis, and insights that inform the organization’s consulting services and publications. He has consulted with over 100 schools and regularly leads workshops, webinars, and strategic planning retreats. As a contributor to Ideas & Perspectives, Bryan writes on scheduling, faculty growth, student-centered policy, finance, and social-emotional health.

Bryan also co-leads ISM’s Heads Retreat, helping school leaders connect research with practice in meaningful ways. Whether he's analyzing data or facilitating culture change, Bryan remains focused on his core mission: helping schools become environments where students and educators can truly flourish.

Bryan holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Marquette University, a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Illinois, and an MBA from Reinhardt University, with a focus on applying business strategy to independent school leadership.