Many private-independent schools take the mission statement one step further and set themselves apart by creating a “Portrait of the Graduate”: a series of five descriptors that define a school’s mission in terms of student outcomes.

The World Economic Forum estimates that 65% of children entering primary school today will ultimately end up working in completely new job types that don’t yet exist. There’s no doubt that technology is driving this staggering evolution and it will continue to play an integral role in the lives of future generations. It’s our job as educators and administrators to best prepare students for a quickly changing job market, starting with the intersection of technology and education.

Summer is finally here and it’s the perfect time to catch up on tasks that might have fallen to the wayside during the school year. It’s also a great opportunity to expand your mind with reads that may inspire you to think differently about how you work within your private-independent school.

It’s summertime again—students take off for break and we look forward to a slower pace, if just for a few months. This reprieve from the hectic school year means it’s also a great time to focus on professional development in the form of summer reading.

International student programs have grown tremendously over the past decade in private-independent schools. In response to this growth, more schools have applied for and received SEVP certification in the past few years than ever before. However, in a hasty scramble to meet compliance, some schools are finding themselves with access to a portal they don’t fully understand, responsible for policies they’re vaguely familiar with, and misaligned with other key administrators. If this sounds like your school, don’t worry, we can help.

Most School Heads attend or lead four to five meetings every week. Meetings take valuable time and should be optimized for maximum efficiency to best serve your needs as well as those of your faculty, staff, administration, and ultimately, students.

The subject of diversity and how it’s approached in private-independent schools continues to be at the forefront of our conversations. Many educators are interested in acknowledging and accepting what makes us different from each other but aren’t sure how to approach the subject with their students and peers.

Your mission describes the rich program your school offers, as well as the outcome you intend for every student. It is why parents chose to enroll their children in your school. You deliver that mission through your schedule. As an academic leader in your school, you understand the importance of having a schedule that “works.” But what if it doesn’t?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five children has or has had a diagnosable mental health disorder. This may include not only autism, bipolar disorder, and ADHD, but also anxiety, social phobia, depression, and other less-apparent conditions. Unfortunately, many students have not been diagnosed and suffer in silence.

When the Parent Association is clear about the role it plays, this organization constitutes one of your school’s strongest assets. Its mission is to support the school’s strategic and operational goals. An annual audit of the association’s functions and responsibilities keeps it on track and avoids potential problems.