Ideas & Perspective Articles
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Private Schools, the Pandemic, and Resetting Tuition: Wise Decision or a Fool’s Errand?
Volume 46 Issue 7 ● September 1, 2021
Early in the COVID pandemic onset, ISM published an I&P article discussing the merits of a school making a marketplace shift—decreasing tuition to be more accessible to a broader socioeconomic population. That article discussed our concerns and recommendations for carrying out a primary market stance shift from high tuition to low tuition.
READ MOREEmpower Your Teachers to Be Frontline Re-Recruiters
Volume 46 Issue 6 ● June 1, 2021
Among the many factors that drive families to choose private schools are safety and security, academic outcomes, and mission-alignment. But, as School or Division Head, you recognize that retaining families requires more than small class sizes and an impressive next-level placement record. Your faculty, in fact, is a primary reason your families stay at your school (or not).
READ MORECreate an Effective Annual Giving Plan
Volume 46 Issue 6 ● June 1, 2021
Annual giving is the foundational program from which all other development efforts grow and flourish. Not only is annual giving a revenue source for enhancing your school’s programs, but it is also the starting place for many prospects as they begin and sustain their philanthropic relationship with your school.
READ MOREMinimum Wage Changes: Prepare Now
Volume 46 Issue 2 ● February 1, 2021
Public support for increasing the minimum wage has risen steadily since 2014. There is now significant federal pressure to consider a $15 per hour national minimum wage. As School Head or Board President, prepare now and update your strategic financial plan accordingly.
READ MOREFree Access to All ISM Live & On-Demand Webinars
ISM member schools can tune in for 50+ webinars led by ISM consultants and industry experts each year (a $8,000 value). Plus, they access our library of 300+ on-demand webinars!
Beyond the Numbers: Leveraging Surveys for Strategic Success
The State of Student Well-Being in 2025: Trend Lines and Next Steps
Breaking Down Silos: Building an Advancement-Oriented School
From Day One to Year One: Ensuring New Leaders Thrive
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For a limited time: Pay $500 for one year of ISM’s Silver membership—a 64% savings!*
Silver members have access to one year of free webinars from ISM Consultants and industry experts (that's 50+ webinars—this benefit alone is valued at $6,440 each year); Ideas & Perspectives, our flagship advisory letter; the ISM Members-Only podcast; and more for their entire school. This offer ends 1/13/2022! Act now.
*Additional fees may apply. This offer is for a limited time and ends on January 13, 2023. It is only for new, first-time members. Discounted price will be reflected at the final checkout.
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How School Structure and Culture Shape Student Flourishing
Date(s): 3/18/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Examine how schedules, policies, and traditions shape student well-being, and identify practical ways to create a more student-centered experience.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
AI Readiness Framework Dimensions 3&4: Communication/Operations (for Levels 1-2)
Date(s): 3/24/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Establish clear communication and operational foundations to ensure AI experimentation stays coordinated, clear, and manageable.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
AI Readiness Framework Dimensions 3&4: Communication/Operations (for Levels 3-4)
Date(s): 3/27/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Align your communication and operational systems to move AI from experimental pilots to sustainable, school-wide integration.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Establishing a Donor Portfolio System for Major Donor Management
Date(s): 4/15/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Explore a disciplined, relationship-centered approach to managing major donors through clear portfolios, moves management, and shared leadership responsibility.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
AI Readiness Framework Dimensions 5 & 6: Literacy & Inclusion (for Levels 1-2)
Date(s): 4/22/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Establish baseline expectations for AI literacy, responsible use, and equitable access before practices become inconsistent or inequitable across classrooms.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
AI Readiness Framework Dimensions 5 & 6: Literacy & Inclusion (for Levels 3-4)
Date(s): 4/23/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Integrate AI literacy, ethics, and equitable practice into coherent, mission-aligned systems, with measurable outcomes and a pathway for sharing learnings beyond your school.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Community Time and Advisory Success: Creating Programs with Purpose
Date(s): 4/29/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Design purposeful community-time and advisory structures that strengthen belonging, enhance school climate, and boost student well-being.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Hidden Risks of Rotating Faculty Evaluation Cycles
Date(s): 5/6/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Learn why rotating evaluation cycles create hidden risks, and how to build a system that evaluates every teacher, every year.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Building a Multi-Year Planned Giving Program
Date(s): 5/13/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Build a sustainable, donor-centered program that integrates into everyday development work and delivers lasting results.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Architecture of Teacher Professional Growth
Date(s): 5/20/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Build a teacher growth system that is structured, equitable, and truly impactful.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
AI Readiness Dimensions 7 & 8: Professional Learning & Pedagogy (for Levels 1-2)
Date(s): 5/27/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Move from informal exploration to structured professional growth and purposeful early pilots in teaching and learning.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
AI Readiness Dimensions 7 & 8: Professional Learning & Pedagogy (for Levels 3-4)
Date(s): 5/28/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Refine professional growth systems and instructional innovation to support measurable student outcomes and emerging leadership among peer schools.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Using Fundraising and Development Reports to Drive Strategy and Accountability
Date(s): 6/10/2026 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Design and use the right development reports to inform leadership decisions, measure progress, and sustain multi-year fundraising success.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
AI Readiness Dimensions 9 & 10: Future Readiness & Improvement (for Levels 1-2)
Date(s): 6/17/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Integrate AI into curriculum while building simple feedback loops that sustain curiosity and growth.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
AI Readiness Dimensions 9 & 10: Future Readiness & Improvement (for Levels 3-4)
Date(s): 6/18/2026 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Integrate AI competencies throughout your curriculum and create consistent processes for growth that improve student outcomes and build community confidence.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members