Invest in Your Personal Well-Being and Professional Growth
As a Head of School, staying focused on your school’s big-picture goals can be difficult when you’re navigating the daily responsibilities and pressures of operations. This challenge is what prompted us to create our Annual Head’s Retreat — a gathering that gives School Heads the time and space to step back and refocus, discuss emerging trends, and cultivate visionary leadership.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL LEADERS
Explore ISM’s professional development events.
Develop new skills, gain confidence in your role, and lead with clarity. Be mentored by leaders who are experts in their field, many currently working in private schools today. Get hands-on experience, network with fellow school leaders, and walk away with an action plan you can use the minute you return to campus.
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Scheduling Ahead: What to Consider and a Tool That Can Help
Date(s): 4/23/2025 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Discover practical strategies to streamline your middle or upper school scheduling process and explore how a student-centered solution like ScheduLogic can support your school’s needs.
$0.00
For all members & General
Active Assailant Insurance: Protecting Schools from Emerging Threats
Date(s): 4/23/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Understand the coverage essentials, risk mitigation strategies, and financial impact of active assailant incidents for private-independent schools.
$0.00
For all members & General
Why It’s Time to Upgrade Your Financial Aid Process
Date(s): 4/24/2025 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Learn how to modernize your financial aid process to deliver a smoother experience for families, reduce internal friction, and support your school’s enrollment goals.
$0.00
For all members & General
Supporting Students With Learning Differences in Independent Schools
Date(s): 4/24/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Unlock the full potential of students who learn differently by leveraging the strengths of independent schools.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
$0.00 3+ Person
(Re)Build a Strong Advisory Program
Date(s): 4/28/2025 — 5/1/2025 ● Status: Open
Create and implement a thriving advisory program to support your middle and upper school students.
$2,220.00
General & Silver
$1,995.00 Gold
$1,776.00 3+ Person
How to Implement Transformative Faculty Growth and Evaluation
Date(s): 4/29/2025 — 4/30/2025 ● Status: Open
Learn to foster a culture in which faculty thrive and feel secure enough to take the risks necessary for true professional growth.
$1,387.00
General & Silver
$1,240.00 Gold
$1,110.00 3+ Person
Five Things Heads Need to Know About Private School Vouchers
Date(s): 5/7/2025 ● Time: 12:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Join a timely conversation about the potential impact of participating in state-sponsored voucher/tuition assistance programs.
$0.00
For all members & General
The State of Student Well-Being in 2025: Trend Lines and Next Steps
Date(s): 5/8/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month, explore post-pandemic student well-being, learn what the data reveal, and how schools can respond.
$161.00
General
$0.00 For all members
Turn Your Anonymous Website Visitors into Prospects
Date(s): 5/13/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
If your funnel isn’t as full as you’d like it to be, it’s time to Discover the future.
$0.00
For all members & General
Smart Summer Planning: Small Development Shop Series, Part 3 of 4
Date(s): 5/14/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Explore how to maximize the summer months to position your school for a strong year of fundraising and relationship-building.
$0.00
For all members & General
Hot Topics Discussion: Small Development Shop Series, Part 4 of 4
Date(s): 6/18/2025 ● Time: 3:00pm ET ● Status: Open
Engage in a dynamic discussion on small-shop development, with expert guidance and peer insights to refine your fundraising strategies and overcome challenges.
$0.00
For all members & General
Early Bird
Leading the Effective Upper School
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Discover and refine your personal leadership style as you reflect on strategies for faculty evaluation, navigating change, fostering a healthy school culture, and designing a modern schedule.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,995.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Chairing Your Department: The First Five Years
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Strengthen your leadership skills, enhance your communication abilities, manage your team with confidence, and align your efforts with your school’s mission and long-term goals.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,995.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Mastering Your Role as Middle School Dean of Students
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/17/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Explore how to support your school’s mission and culture, engage your faculty and staff, and enrich the student experience.
$3,495.00
General & Silver
$3,110.00 Gold
$3,110.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The New Admission Director
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/17/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Gain the skills, strategies, and best practices needed to excel as a new or aspiring admission and enrollment management director.
$3,495.00
General & Silver
$3,110.00 Gold
$3,110.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The Assistant Headship: Leading from Outside the Circle
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/16/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Enhance your leadership skills and elevate your impact as you support your school head.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,220.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Balance Your Roles as Upper School Dean of Students
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Navigate your dynamic and expanding role as an upper school dean of students with confidence, always keeping students at the center of your decisions.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,995.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Leading the Effective Middle School
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Learn how to uphold your school’s mission and culture, engage faculty and staff, and enhance the student experience.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,995.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The New Marketing Communications Director
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/16/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Discover how to excel as a marketing communications director, even if you just aspire to be one someday.
$2,995.00
General & Silver
$2,665.00 Gold
$2,665.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The New Independent School Development Officer
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/17/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Learn strategies and tactics to excel as a new or aspiring development director.
$3,995.00
General & Silver
$3,550.00 Gold
$3,550.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Leading the Effective Lower School
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Transform your lower school into a thriving, student-focused learning community using proven, research-driven strategies.
$4,495.00
General & Silver
$3,995.00 Gold
$3,995.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
The Independent School Business Officer
Date(s): 7/14/2025 — 7/16/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Excel as a strategic business thinker, whether you’re new to the profession, starting in independent schools for the first time, or a seasoned professional.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,220.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Evolve Your Support Program for Students With Learning Differences
Date(s): 7/16/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Discover how to enhance your school’s learning support program to better serve all students.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,220.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
Thriving in Headship for the New and Aspiring School Head
Date(s): 7/16/2025 — 7/18/2025 ● Location: Philadelphia, PA ● Status: Open
Discover how to manage the nuances and demands of school headship.
$2,495.00
General & Silver
$2,220.00 Gold
$2,220.00 3+ Person
Early Bird
14th Annual Advancement Academy
Date(s): 7/21/2025 — 1/24/2025 ● Location: Redondo Beach, CA ● Status: Open
The ISM Advancement Academy is a professional development opportunity like no other. Designed specifically for the needs of private school leaders, this week-long event is hands-on, practical, and collaborative. With guidance from experienced mentors, you'll leave the Advancement Academy with a network, plan, and tools to make an immediate difference at your school.
$4,340.00
General & Silver
$3,860.00 Gold
$3,860.00 3+ Person