AI isn’t coming — it’s already here. Learn why the real challenge for independent schools isn’t disruption, but integration — and how a human-centered approach can set your school apart.
Maggie Renken, Ph.D., ISM Consultant
It may be a bold — and perhaps unpopular — perspective, but I’ll say it plainly: independent schools are not facing uncertain times when it comes to AI. In fact, quite the opposite. There are certainties, and they demand our attention. As we head into summer 2025, here are three I’m confident in:
- AI will continue to reshape how students, teachers, and families experience school.
- Independent schools are uniquely positioned to respond with agility, intention, and mission-aligned innovation.
- The defining factor won’t be AI disruption — it will be AI integration. The schools that integrate early, and with humanity at the center, will lead the way.
Too often, “disruption” conjures images of sudden chaos, upheaval, and the dismantling of what has come before. But what’s ahead for independent schools doesn’t have to be disruptive in that sense. The opportunity is not to tear down, but to build upon the deeply human traditions and values that already make our schools special.
Integration offers a more strategic frame. It means approaching AI with deliberate care — aligning it with what we hold dear: authentic relationships, whole-child learning, and the pursuit of meaningful purpose. It's not about adopting shiny new tools; it’s about strengthening the mission through thoughtful application of what’s possible.
Independent school leaders are not just passive observers in this moment. We have agency — and with that, a responsibility — to guide how AI enters our learning communities. We can become incubators for human-centered AI integration, shaping both the tools and the culture in which they are used.
We are standing on the threshold of a once-in-a-generation opportunity — one that could lead us toward a future of radical abundance. But this future won’t be defined solely by faster algorithms or smarter machines. It will be shaped by how well we ensure students have the purpose, identity, and self-efficacy to thrive.
At the heart of it all is student well-being and engagement. That’s the ground we can’t lose. As AI becomes more present in school life, leaders must model and foster a culture where it’s safe to try, fail, care, problem-solve, and grow — together.
Questions Worth Asking
As you reflect with your team and community, consider:
- Where is AI integration currently addressed in your school’s strategic priorities?
- How might AI serve your mission, rather than distract from it?
- What frameworks will help you navigate diverse community responses — including skepticism — with transparency and care?
- What communication strategies can reframe AI as an opportunity for human-centered growth, rather than a threat to what’s familiar?
- Where can AI help personalize learning, deliver targeted support, and protect space for deep, human-to-human connection?
When I taught an upper school AI course, one of my favorite recurring activities was inviting students to imagine AI-powered futures. Consistently, they envisioned healthier people, societies, and environments. That generation is ready to shape what’s next. It's time we meet them there — not just with tools, but with vision.
About the Author
Maggie Renken is an ISM consultant with deep expertise in the learning sciences and a passion for building meaningful, growth-centered school experiences. Her areas of specialty include AI lIteracy and integration; student wellbeing, faculty and staff culture; curriculum development; scheduling; and professional development.
Prior to joining ISM, she led innovation initiatives and STEAM programming at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Georgia. She also was a tenured associate professor at Georgia State. Maggie holds a Ph.D. in developmental psychology and an M.S. in experimental psychology from the University of Wyoming; she earned a B.S. in psychology from Clemson University.
