Year after year, families have an increasing variety of school choices. Not only has the total number of private-independent schools increased, but there also has been a rise in virtual, charter, and homeschool options.
A Conversation on Social Brain Theory and School Size
What size should student classes and faculty groups be within schools? Join us for a lively discussion on “Dunbar’s Number” and our thoughts as it relates to independent schools.
In a 1993 study, Robin Dunbar, a British anthropologist, theorized that humans could have no more than 150 meaningful relationships, a measure that became known as “Dunbar’s Number.”
Five Ways to Make Your School Makerspace a Thriving Space of Belonging
Makerspaces are dedicated areas where students use hands-on techniques and tools to design, experiment, build, and invent. These spaces foster learning through inquiry and help develop students’ real-life, critical-thinking skills.
Attract Ideal Candidates With These Job Posting Tips
Transform basic job postings into compelling stories that attract qualified, enthusiastic, and mission-appropriate candidates.
Your job posting should not be the same as the job description. The job posting is the first impression for a potential new hire. It should present your school’s specific purpose, mission, and culture, differentiating your school from all others. Crafting a compelling job posting is essential for finding earnest and desirable candidates.
Schedule Rally Points Throughout the School Year to Relieve Student Stress
As a School Head or Division Head, you want your students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our research shows schools can increase student engagement, achievement, and overall well-being by creating a well-paced school year that includes strategically scheduled long weekends and breaks and what ISM calls rally points throughout the year.
Teacher Intern Programs: Ensuring Quality for the Future
Many private schools are concerned about the number of teachers available for current and future hiring, particularly because of the omnipresent concern about a teacher shortage. One way to ensure an exemplary faculty at your school is to implement a teacher intern program.
Navigating the Political Divide Among Independent School Adults
How do you lead by example and inspire a community of respect among adults who disagree politically?
School leaders are tasked with helping young people become diplomatic citizens who can calmly discuss the emotionally charged issues our society faces. But if the adults in your school community—faculty, staff, parents, or Trustees—feel both philosophically divided and unprepared to broach tough conversations, the task becomes much more difficult.
What to Do When Your Learning Support Program Isn't Enough
Ensure your learning support program is best serving your students.
Learning support services in independent schools are growing. But despite a dedicated and caring faculty working hard to provide individualized education plans, your program might not be meeting the needs of some students.
A Data-Driven Approach to Bolster Student Well-Being
Discover evidence-based strategies to address concerns about student well-being.
How do you know if your clinical counseling is helping your students? How do you know if prevention efforts are shifting behaviors around student wellness? Simple: data.
By capturing data about student health and well-being at specific, timed intervals, schools can discover what works well and pinpoint things that need to be revisited—prioritizing programmatic adjustments and strategic conversations around these important topics.
How Can We Solve the Talent Crisis? Insights From ISM Research
Are teachers really leaving independent schools? We’ll share our latest research and our recommendations regarding faculty trends.
The statistics are staggering.