Virtual & Onsite Consulting Services


Ensure that your school’s governance and operations support your mission.
We work together with your leaders, teachers, staff members, and students to understand your school’s unique needs, strengths, and challenges. We help you create a plan to help you meet your goals.
Your team can then put these mission-appropriate recommendations into action to achieve increased cash reserves, higher enrollment levels, and long-term stability. At the end of the day, we all have a singular purpose—advance school leadership to enrich the student experience.
We offer personalized consultations for many leadership divisions of a private school—the Board of Trustees, School Heads, the Business Office, the Development Office, Enrollment Management professionals, Marketing professionals, and Academic leaders. Select the area of school leadership you’d like to further explore.

ISM’s Consulting Services can be conducted virtually, ensuring you get the support you need, no matter the circumstances. Learn more by contacting our School Success team.
Our Consulting Services
School Head
Whether you want to ensure that all school functions run at peak efficiency or are considering implementing new strategies and initiatives, lean on a trusted source of knowledge to increase the likelihood of long-term success.
Business & Operations
Take advantage of a full range of planning, facilities, and operations consulting services that give your school a solid footing for the future. Examine where your key operations work well, and where they can use improvement.
Academic Leadership
Your programs set your school apart. Explore how to create and build programs that pull families in and give them an experience they couldn’t have at another private-independent school.
Admission & Enrollment Management
ISM’s data-informed approach pinpoints what attracts families to your school and inspires them to stay. Receive customized solutions based on your school’s unique marketplace stance, challenges, and opportunities.
Fundraising & Development
Learn how to develop successful strategies to engage and bring donors closer to your institution. No matter your school size, history, or pedagogy, explore how to plan, implement, and evaluate your fundraising strategies to realize your full potential.
Marketing Communications
Explore how to share exceptional stories of student learning, engagement, and outcomes, and illustrate how these can become differentiators that distinguish your school from your competitors.
Board of Trustees
The Board must focus its efforts on governing, planning, and financing your school's future, while leaving everyday decisions to competent administrators. To do that successfully, your Board must think, plan, and act strategically.
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One-on-One Coaching for New Heads
Work with an ISM Consultant in your first years of Headship to set you on a path to success.
•Data-Driven Diagnostics •
• Coaching •
• Customized Support •
Help Your School Thrive
ISM members receive access to exclusive, research-based strategies for every leadership division of your school. Take advantage of guidance, savings, and much more.
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See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.
Tips for More Efficient Time Management
Academic Leadership // September 17, 2019
Time is one of your most precious commodities. It can seem like there’s never enough of it to finish everything you need to do, and items on your to-do list continue to pile up. If you’re struggling with time management, here are some tips to ensure a productive and efficient year.
Read MoreSchool Spotlight: How Wichita Collegiate Raised $100,000 More From Donors
Advancement // September 13, 2019
Wichita Collegiate's leaders were able to use what they learned at ISM's learning events and raise $100,000 more over proposed asks, thanks to a personalized letter strategy and individualized solicitations.
Read MoreGetting to Know ISM’s Development Team: Michael Christopher
Advancement // September 12, 2019
We’re proud to share that Michael Christopher is joining ISM’s Development Team, effective January 1, 2020. In this role, he’ll continue to lead strategic planning and development workshops; author articles; advise Boards, school leaders and development offices; present at conferences; and oversee strategic planning and school consultations.
Read MoreSchool Safety: Statistics and Guidelines
Business and Operations // September 11, 2019
School security is a crucial topic. We all want to do everything in our power to keep students, faculty, and staff safe, while providing a comfortable atmosphere that empowers learning, not fear. The balance is delicate and there is no right answer—every school will need to take its own measures to protect its campus.
Read MoreOffering a School Carpool? Consider These Tips.
Business and Operations // September 10, 2019
Transporting children to and from your school can offer a host of logistical challenges. You might employ a variety of options—public school busses, school-owned vehicles, transportation vendors, parents, and ride-shares. Many schools also consider organizing carpools among interested families.
Read MoreThree Ways to Support Your School's Community Service Initiatives
School Heads // September 6, 2019
The Head sets the tone for many of your school’s initiatives and programs. When you show your support through words and actions, your community is more likely to rally behind you and engage in your school’s offerings.
Read MoreEducation Innovation: Where Do Schools Stand?
School Heads // September 5, 2019
Where do we stand when it comes to innovation in the classroom? Do teachers and leaders believe that we’re prioritizing innovation, in ways do they believe they’re successful, and what roadblocks stand in their way?
Read MoreRisk Management: Managing Vaccine Policies and Infectious Outbreaks on Campus
Private School News // August 30, 2019
The conversations about vaccines—benefits versus risks, conspiracies versus truths, personal rights versus public safety—are not new to private school leaders. Both sides of the debate have strong opinions and can be very vocal. Schools must make decisions reflective of their mission and culture to best protect their students, faculty, and staff.
Read MoreThanks for a Wonderful Summer Institute 2019!
Private School News // August 30, 2019
Summer Institute is one of our biggest professional development events of the year, bringing over 350 private-school leaders from all over the world to learn and grow together. We hosted 27 workshops over four weeks in Minneapolis, MN, and Philadelphia, PA. From Board members to School Heads, Business and Advancement Officers, division and academic leaders, there was a learning opportunity for everyone. Today we’re sharing our recap of Summer Institute 2019.
Read MoreHigh Risk for Educators: Secondary Traumatic Stress
Private School News // July 26, 2019
Secondary traumatic stress (STS), sometimes known as compassion fatigue, is a condition that impacts people who work with others who have experienced trauma. Education leaders should be aware of this condition and explore ways to support faculty and staff as they work with children from all backgrounds.
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