Rod Snelling made a difference in the world through his devotion to private-independent school education. His leadership at Independent School Management will be sorely missed. He pioneered innovative concepts that led to the founding of our company, the first analysis firm in the United States dealing exclusively with private-independent schools. Since ISM’s inception, thousands of administrators and schools in North America and abroad have benefited from his theory, research, and analysis.

Parents want the best possible education for their children. As they shop different schools and programs, they will often ask, “What makes your school different?” Many school administrators will respond with their school’s mission as well as its ability to prepare students for college, its dedication to academic rigor, and its focus on small class size and student-to-teacher ratio.

According to the Pew Research Center, 95% of teens report they have access to or own a smartphone. In fact, this ownership is “nearly universal among teens of different genders, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.” Additionally, 45% say they’re online on a near-constant basis. With so much of their lives spent online, it might be easy to assume that teens share every aspect of their days with the world without a care for privacy. But a new research study finds this isn’t necessarily so.

Surveys show that students and educators are increasingly more stressed. According to researchers, 61% of educators say their work is “always” or “often” stressful, and students deal with constant and evolving pressure to maintain perfect grades, be involved in various activities, and come of age in an online world. However, new research illustrates that school-based yoga can help combat some of the stress and anxiety that students and educators face today.

Starting or managing your school store can be a large undertaking. What items should you sell? How do you price them? Should you run a physical location or offer items exclusively online? How do you market your inventory? Will people actually buy? Which office should manage the store? You’re not alone. Many private-independent school administrators have questions when it comes to running a successful school store.

Many students are not empowered to be independent thinkers—and this impacts both their personal lives and their educational careers. Although schools’ mission statements include that they generate generations of independent thinkers, students often don’t learn or apply these skills away from campus. New research shows that overprotecting children can impact confidence, decision-making skills, and overall mental health.

We previously covered that cultivating healthy habits can improve how you function in your role as a school administrator. And a recent study highlights that students who maintain healthy habits can exhibit more motivation to attend college.

It's often unclear to Trustees, particularly those members new to the Board, what their fundraising duties comprise.

Your Board must avoid getting bogged down in day-to-day decisions and obligations. It cannot lose sight of its primary responsibility—to maintain the essential character and integrity of the school and ensure that it remains viable to serve the children of today’s students. An annual Board retreat provides the opportunity to devote a day specifically to planning for the future.

Everyone experiences stress related to their jobs. But a recent study highlighted how stressed-out teachers can negatively impact student outcomes—and your school as a whole.