🛑 Overcoming Objections About Your School 🏫 How to Flip the Negative to a Positive During the Admissions Process 🔄 Feb 24, 2024

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most significant decisions a family can make. It's a choice that involves both emotional and financial investment, often leading to a thorough evaluation of various options available. For independent or private schools, understanding and...

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Social Media’s Role in the Independent School Enrollment & Search Phase Feb 17, 2024

I recently had the pleasure of presenting to MinnDEPENDENT on "Understanding the Impact: Social Media Marketing for Private Schools" with Andrea Gribble of #SocialSchool4EDU, and I wanted to share one of the key insights from our discussion. 

 Attracting prospective families and filling...

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Decoding Re-Enrollment: Navigating Continuous vs. Traditional Methods and the Role of Parent Behavior Jan 27, 2024

Every year, re-enrollment becomes a hot topic that surfaces in discussions during our Small School Leader meet-ups, client conversations, and school campus visits. It's that pivotal time when schools navigate the crucial task of identifying families who plan to continue their journey with the...

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Mastering In-House Video Production for Independent Schools: A Comprehensive Guide Jan 20, 2024

In the digital age, video has become an essential tool for independent schools to effectively connect with their community. In-house video production, even on a low budget, can significantly contribute to marketing efforts and support retention strategies. Having logged thousands of hours...

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Leveraging LinkedIn for Independent and Private Schools Jan 20, 2024

In the ever-evolving world of digital communication, social media platforms play a pivotal role in connecting schools with their community. Among these, LinkedIn stands out as a powerful tool for independent and private schools seeking to engage alumni, attract prospective donors and families,...

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Will They Stay or Will They Go? Strategies for Understanding Independent School Families’ Intentions Jan 13, 2024

In my almost two-decade-long journey working closely with schools, I've been intricately involved in navigating the challenges of re-enrollment periods. The privilege of collaborating with Heads of School and admissions teams has granted me insights into the complex web of dynamics during this...

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Turning Ideas into Action: How School Leaders Can Get the Most from Conferences, Workshops, and Professional Development Opportunities Jan 06, 2024

Let's face it – as school leaders, your schedules are packed tighter than a library on exam week. But amidst the chaos, one thing remains crucial: keeping up with your professional development.

The landscape of independent school marketing, development, and enrollment management is...

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PLANuary: How School Leaders Successfully Combine their Love of Paper Planners With Technology Jan 01, 2024

In my two decades of experience working closely with school leaders, I've observed that paper planners continue to hold significant relevance in the professional lives of educators. Despite the prevalence of technology, I've noticed a common trend at conferences – many attendees prefer...

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Sell Out Your School’s Summer Camp With These 5 Marketing Strategies Dec 09, 2023

I’m diving into one of my favorite topics: school camp promotions and strategies. You might be wondering why I'm delving into school camps – well, in the world of marketing, it's all interconnected! Selling your school's programs includes selling your summer camps too. Crafting a...

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Independent School Development Team Resource: 4 Strategies for Creating an Effective Stewardship Plan Dec 02, 2023

In our work with numerous small schools, one common issue we encounter is the absence of a robust stewardship plan for donors. This often results in inconsistent expressions of gratitude and donors feeling underappreciated. One of the most gratifying tasks for us is helping these schools...

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Navigating Homeschooling Trends: A Strategic Perspective for Independent Schools Nov 18, 2023

As leaders in independent schools, our role extends beyond day-to-day operations; we are visionaries tasked with predicting trends and identifying opportunities. The lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic underscore the importance of diversifying revenue sources and exploring ways to serve...

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Independent School Retention: Best Practices for 2024 Nov 11, 2023

  As the landscape of education continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: the paramount importance of retention in shaping a school's future. Even if your institution boasts full enrollment and a waitlist, having a robust retention plan is not just advisable; it's imperative. A...

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