Ideas & Perspectives

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Image of Ideas and Perspectives Newsletter on a Laptop

Learn practical strategies to handle emerging trends and leadership challenges in private schools.

No matter if you’re a School Head, Admission Director, Development Director, Board member, or any other private school administrator—Ideas & Perspectives, ISM’s premier private school publication, has strategic solutions for the pervasive problems you face.

  • Tuition not keeping pace with your expenses? In I&P, explore how to use strategic financial planning to create your budget and appropriately adjust your tuition.
  • Enrollment dropping off? Discover how to implement the right admission and enrollment management strategies that engage your community—and fill your classrooms.
  • Trouble retaining teachers? Learn how you can best support your teachers using ISM’s Comprehensive Faculty Development framework. Your faculty members will become more enthusiastic about their roles—which ultimately improves student outcomes.
  • Fundraising campaigns not as successful as you’d hoped? Implement ISM’s practical advice and guidance to build a thriving annual fund, construct an effective capital campaign, and secure major donors—no matter your community size or location.
  • Not sure how to provide professional development—for you and your staff? Learn ways to develop and fund a successful professional development strategy. You can improve teacher-centered satisfaction and growth, which in turn strengthens student-centered learning.
  • Problematic schedule? You can master the challenges of scheduling with the help of ISM’s practical advice, based on our experience with hundreds of schools and our time-tested theories.
  • And so much more.

I&P has shared targeted research, up-to-date insight, and sound theory with school leaders since 1975. More than 8,500 private school decision-makers find the answers to their schools’ administrative and governance matters in our advisory letter. We give you the strategic answers you need.

As an ISM Silver or Gold member, you not only receive issues online and in print 10 times a year, but you have access to more than 600 articles in our web archive. Need help? It’s at your fingertips! Learn more and sign up for ISM's membership here. 

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See the articles from our latest issue of Ideas & Perspectives.

Resist the Temptation to Put Money Before Mission

Volume 48 No. 8 // October 1, 2023

ISM has long insisted schools must be clear about their primary marketplace stance (price, product, process). We also have recommended schools develop supporting Purpose and Outcome Statements that align with their market position and articulate their mission, values, student outcomes, and facu...

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The Delicate Dance: Strategic Work vs. Tactical Work

Volume 48 No. 8 // October 1, 2023

Boards of Trustees sometimes confuse strategic work and tactical/operational work, which can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. The distinction must be clear—strategic work involves the school governance and tactical work concerns managing school operations. Trustees must understand th...

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Constituent Representation on Your Board of Trustees

Volume 48 No. 7 // September 1, 2023

As Chair of the Committee on Trustees, you coordinate the nomination of potential Trustees for open positions on your Board. When filling your annual slate of nominees, use the Board Profile derived from your strategic plan and strategic financial plan, and screen your nominees based on their e...

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Leadership Development for Division Heads

Volume 48 No. 7 // September 1, 2023

Prioritizing the development of Division Heads’ leadership skills must be an essential area of focus for all School Heads. Although there are situational differences, typically, Division Heads are charged with interfacing with families, managing parent and student concerns, supervising teachers,&nbs...

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Should School Administrators Attend Board Meetings?

Volume 48 No. 6 // June 1, 2023

After a contentious Board meeting, the following may be a discussion between two Trustees in the school parking lot. “Why does the School Head keep bringing Leadership Team members to our meetings? It sure throws a wrench into our sessions. It just says to me the Head doesn’t know what’s going on...

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Marketing Your School’s Transportation Options

Volume 48 No. 6 // June 1, 2023

Parents seek convenient services that maximize their time and minimize their stress. For many, getting their children to and from school is the most inconvenient aspect of life in a private school. If your school provides transportation options, you, as Marketing Communications Director, have a mark...

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