The best way to begin any relationship is with conversation and active listening. As you plan your upcoming school year, consider ways to engage prospective families through intentional and personalized dialogue. Taking the time to engage each family in conversation demonstrates the high value yo...

Being a student-centered school means ensuring students are at the forefront of decision-making by adults. But for adults to be able to support students, they themselves need to be well-supported by school leaders who ensure the wellness of all adults on campus. A culture where there is predictab...

Starting a new job can be stressful. Navigating the unknowns while trying to fit in personally and professionally can fray even the strongest nerves! But new Development Directors have a leg up. They can offset the learning curve by transferring many of their skills to their new private school en...

ISM is thrilled to welcome two new full-time Consultants to our Advancement Team. Phil Higginson, IAP-L, joins ISM as a full-time development and fundraising Consultant on July 1. A nationally recognized independent school development leader, Phil brings tremendous experience in annual giving, ma...

No educator needs to be told there’s a student mental health crisis. Many causes have contributed to the drastic decline in student well-being, but a new study in the Journal of Pediatrics takes a different perspective. The study argued that the decrease in time allotted for independent student a...

Purposeful marketing can help lead to full enrollment and even waitpools. But setting your budget and allocating expenses requires time, research, and, of course, careful attention to the efficacy of your various campaigns. ISM’s consulting experience suggests schools produce the best results whe...

The concept of Universal Design was first introduced by architect Ron Mace in the 1980s. His theory, based on architectural design, focused on the idea that you could design products and environments that would work for everyone, as well as meet ADA requirements. Consider a sidewalk curb, which i...

Classrooms are places for social education as much as they are for academic education. By building classrooms centered on emotional literacy, teachers show students how to establish meaningful relationships with others and, ultimately, how to feel more in control of their lives. That might sound ...

A private-independent school’s sustainability is inextricably linked to its advancement efforts—that is, its ability to attract and retain aligned students and families and to raise philanthropic gifts that help fulfill its mission and vision. In many schools, advancement is synonymous with devel...

Substance abuse in the adolescent populations has soared over the last several years. Media reports of this upward trajectory suggest a hopeless battle. But targeted prevention efforts are showing significant success, and it all starts at school. Get the Facts Marijuana is now legal across muc...