Business & Operations

Virtual Insights and Guidance
ISM’s Consulting Services can be conducted virtually, ensuring you get the support you need, no matter the circumstances. Email schoolsuccess@isminc.com for more information. 

Ensure your school’s day-to-day operations are efficient, safe, and compliant.

Protecting your school is your top priority. Whether that includes putting the right logistical processes in place or creating new programs and services, your Business Office is charged with managing the safety and well-being of your students, teachers, staff, and community.

Take advantage of a full range of facilities and operations consulting services that give your school a solid footing for the future. Examine where your key operations work well, and where they can use improvement.

Discover how ISM can help strengthen your school’s strategies in business and operations.

School Operations

Business Operations Assessment

For the school that wants to optimize its Business Office operations to better support its mission.

Receive valuable insight on how your operations run today and the solutions you need to keep the Business Office running efficiently. Examine your staffing structure, budget preparation, systems and procedures (including tuition collection), purchasing, cash management, criteria for Board and administrative financial reports, communication, and more.

Faculty Compensation Analysis

For the school that wants to attract mission-appropriate teachers with competitive and fair compensation packages.

Determine what teachers want most, and receive detailed insight on how to deliver it. ISM administers surveys to your faculty and the Consultant provides detailed insight and analysis about the findings. This includes how well your teachers understand the benefits your school offers, and what parts of compensation packages they value most.

Risk Management Assessment

For the school that wants to identify potential challenges and liabilities that could significantly impact its reputation and bottom line—but isn’t sure where to start.

While no process can anticipate every untoward event, ensure that you and your fellow school leaders are sufficiently informed about areas of potential liability. This process looks at safety, contractual issues, discrimination, employment practices, and the use of vendors and facilities. If improperly managed, these areas can result in legal exposures, government intervention, and even lawsuits. Be prepared to hold difficult conversations about challenges you face, ask the right questions of yourself and others, and do so at the right time—before an unfortunate event occurs.

Summer Program Assessment

For the school that wants to build and offer a stellar summer program.

When your school offers a quality summer program, it generates various benefits: a valued service to current parents, new recruitment opportunities, supplemental employment for your school’s faculty, a chance to consider innovative academic programs, and so much more. Whether your school runs its own summer program, allows third-party vendors to use your campus, or offers a hybrid approach, rely on the assessment to help you build the right program for your community. You’ll explore recommended strategies for risk management, facilities use, marketing to your community, and more.

International Student Programs

Strategically Planning and Implementing a New International Student Program

Onsite | Ongoing Partnership Retainer

For the school that wants to establish content, structure, and outcomes for a successful international student pilot program.

International student programs continue to gain popularity. But your school must first examine the “why” behind its desire to enroll international students, and then create a program that’s best suited for all students involved. ISM does not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Our consultation ensures the needs of your school are met, enabling you to responsibly meet your goals as rapidly, creatively, and effectively as possible.

Auditing Your International Program: Certification, Process, Procedures, and Third-Party Agreements

Onsite | Virtual

For the school that wants to review the content and structure of its existing Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Many schools have applied for and received SEVP certification for international student programs over the past few years. However, in a hasty scramble to meet compliance, some schools find themselves with access to a government portal they don’t fully understand, responsible for policies they’re vaguely familiar with, and misaligned with other key administrators at their schools. Bring clarity to your program to promote its continued growth and success. ISM’s personalized consultation includes an assessment of your current program, detailed remedies for a range of issues, and an action plan to maintain a purposeful, thoughtful, and student-centered international program.

Developing a Top-Level International Program

Onsite | Ongoing Partnership Retainer

For the school that wants to assess programmatic vulnerabilities and discover new opportunities for its existing international student program.

Once your international student program is established, you want to ensure it best serves your entire school community. Lean on the expertise of an international student program expert to explore new growth opportunities and vetted ideas in the international community. Understand potential vulnerabilities related to your program’s strategic culture, government compliance, use of agents and third-party commissioned consultants, dormitories, dorm parents and housing options, and student safety and health issues. The Consultant will administer an electronic assessment, collect feedback with guaranteed anonymity, and provide onsite training in areas that require attention to help safeguard your school and your students.

+Ongoing Partnership Retainer

Receive ongoing support from ISM’s international program Consultant as you work toward meeting your goals. This four-month retainer service provides you with predetermined check-ins and email access throughout the engagement so you have peace of mind that you’re implementing a holistic approach that serves your entire student body. Set your program on the path to provide stellar student experiences while broadening your school’s horizons with trusted guidance every step of the way.

The Stability Markers and how we can benchmark our school were invaluable, especially as we embark on a re-development project to improve school facilities.

Irene Ackuaku, Director of Finance and Business Services
Lincoln Community School, Ghana