It’s Time: Let Go of Your Outdated Middle and Upper School Schedules

One of the most underestimated factors that influence a school’s success is the school’s schedule (or “timetable”). To maximize their development, performance, and future readiness, your students need a schedule that supports their well-being and takes into account the best research on how they learn. Your schedules should also facilitate your unique programming and experiences — the factors that differentiate your school from competitors.

Nevertheless, many middle and upper schools continue to have schedules that include characteristics that are best avoided:

Setting a Data-Driven Annual Fund Goal: Key Metrics for Success

As your school’s development director, you know that setting the right annual fund goal is critical to your program. Despite that, at some schools, the annual fund goal is set by the board and school head to “fund the gap” between expenses and expected income. But this is not the right way to establish the goal for an annual fund. Instead, use accurate data from past fundraising successes to set a challenging but achievable goal.

What not to do

Include “Loose Periods” in Your Middle and Upper School Schedules

ISM research has repeatedly shown that a strong sense of community is a differentiator when students and parents are choosing a school or choosing to remain at a school. In middle and upper school, this sense of community is fostered during assembly, advisory, and activity programs.

Furthermore, having access to daily extra help is essential in providing support to your students — especially middle school students, who benefit from a daily study hall.

From Enrollment to Engagement: Onboarding Your New Families

Retaining families is “enrollment critical.” It’s never too early to start re-recruiting your new parents and students with a transition to your school community that is positive and mission-centered. As families juggle the demands of daily life, school leaders must be increasingly creative and thoughtful in providing new families with the information and connections necessary to establish a strong, productive partnership with the school based on shared values.

Creating an Employee Benefits Package to Attract & Retain Talent

Employee benefits — along with a winning school culture — are a key component of attracting and retaining faculty and staff, ensuring long-term institutional success. Schools must balance financial sustainability with competitive offerings by designing benefits packages that meet employee needs while controlling costs. Schools must also pay attention to those factors that contribute to faculty and staff stress.

Maximizing Success: Small Development Shop Series, Part 1 of 4

Running a small development office in a private-independent school comes with unique challenges and opportunities. With limited staff and resources, advancement professionals must be strategic, efficient, and mission-driven to maximize fundraising success.

This webinar will explore key strategies for prioritizing tasks, leveraging volunteers, engaging donors, and building a sustainable fundraising program — while wearing multiple hats. You’ll gain practical insights to help you streamline operations and increase impact.

The Essential Partnership Between the Admission and Business Offices

In private-independent schools, upwards of 70% of the operating budget comes from tuition revenue. It is therefore critical that the admission and business offices work cooperatively to achieve their school’s enrollment and financial goals. Critical collaborative functions include setting tuition and budgets, establishing a financial aid strategy, and ensuring student retention.

Join ISM Consultants Terry Moore and Penny Abrahams as they share their expert advice for strengthening this key partnership to position schools for sustained success.

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