

Ensure that your school’s governance and operations support your mission.
We work together with your leaders, teachers, staff members, and students to understand your school’s unique needs, strengths, and challenges. We help you create a plan to help you meet your goals.
Your team can then put these mission-appropriate recommendations into action to achieve increased cash reserves, higher enrollment levels, and long-term stability. At the end of the day, we all have a singular purpose—advance school leadership to enrich the student experience.
We offer personalized consultations for many leadership divisions of a private school—the Board of Trustees, School Heads, the Business Office, the Development Office, Enrollment Management professionals, Marketing professionals, and Academic leaders. Select the area of school leadership you’d like to further explore.

ISM’s Consulting Services can be conducted virtually, ensuring you get the support you need, no matter the circumstances. Learn more by contacting our School Success team.
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See articles for School Heads, Business & Operations, Advancement, Academic Leadership, and Trustees, in addition to Private School News.
School Spotlight: Stevens Cooperative School Adopts Student-Centered Scheduling
School Spotlight // May 6, 2022
Stevens Cooperative School serves more than 430 students on two campuses in Jersey City (K–8) and Hoboken (PK–8) in New Jersey.
Read MoreHow to Embrace Culturally Responsive Teaching and Promote Student Success
Academic Leadership // May 6, 2022
In today’s learning environments, culturally responsive teaching is a requisite for educating empowered, resilient, and empathic students capable of vital civic engagement. But what is it exactly? And why does it matter?
Read MoreHow Do You Find What Your Best Prospects Think About You?
Marketing Communications // May 6, 2022
For the school leader seeking to optimally position their school, and the marketing and enrollment management professionals who support them, there is no more important information than what is on the mind of their prime prospective families. Until recently, access to this knowledge was simply out of reach for most schools, since it involved engaging in large-scale market research with large associated costs. What’s changed? A new ability to utilize advanced demographic and lifestyle factor analysis, along with sophisticated analytics, to cost-effectively identify and conduct research among your school’s most valued prospects.
Read MoreHiring? Here’s Why Applications Yield More Mission-Driven Employees
School Leadership // May 6, 2022
For school leaders engaged in the hiring process, the question of how to narrow the candidate field is a crucial one. With the flood of resumes that typically answer calls for faculty and staff, knowing how to effectively screen applicants and bring in qualified, mission-driven employees is a must. Moving from resumes to application-based hiring is one way to adjust the system and create an alternative hiring practice that maintains integrity.
Read MoreLeadership Donations for the Annual Fund: Here’s What to Consider
Fundraising // April 22, 2022
Driving a successful annual fund campaign is a universal goal for every private school. But reaching this goal is easier said than done.
Read MoreHow to Understand and Enhance Anti-Racist Practices in Your School
School Leadership // April 22, 2022
Recently, schools all over the country have started to ask and address the same question: How can we best promote diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging (DEIJB) in our communities? Is there a presence of different identities, experiences, and perspectives? Have we developed a culture that enables people to see themselves reflected in the institution? Is there a system of accountability and repair for wrong-doing? Do students, staff, and parents feel valued and respected in ways that enable them to feel a sense of agency and trust in the school?
Read MoreFive Proven Strategies for Successful Auxiliary Programs
Business and Operations // April 22, 2022
Worries about rising tuition and changing demographics resulting in fewer potential students have led more independent schools to consider auxiliary programs as a viable way to boost revenue and admission efforts. Leading auxiliary programs are both visionary and entrepreneurial.
Read MoreISM Acquires Measuring Success to Strengthen Its Extensive Data and Research Capabilities
ISM Announcements // April 22, 2022
A singular mission has always driven ISM—advance school leadership to enrich the student experience. Today, we are excited to further our mission by announcing our acquisition of Measuring Success, a data science and research organization.
Read MoreBoard Cultivation Is the Key to Long-Term Financial Stability
Fundraising // April 1, 2022
Your Board members and their involvement in your fundraising operation—as both donors and volunteers—are key to your program’s long-term stability. Your Trustees provide foundational support of your annual fund, your events, and your capital campaigns, not only while they serve but also as Board alu...
Read MoreLunch and Recess Time Crunch: How Does This Impact Your Students?
School Health and Wellness // April 1, 2022
School lunch is critical to student health and well-being and learning readiness. Lunchtime bolsters students with the nutrition they need to get through the day and learn to the best of their abilities. But most children are not given enough time to eat their lunch at school. As an independent s...
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