Hey there,

At independent schools, and small independent schools especially, it can be a challenge to keep up enrollment in middle school and high school.

If you currently have families in those prior levels who are approaching middle or high school (or whatever your next level is), how many of them are planning to stay on? Do you know what concerns they have? What do they want out of your next program?

By knowing these answers, you can work to overcome objections so that your ...

Hey there, 

Fundraising season is quickly approaching! How are your preparations going? 

Let's make sure you're ready for the season by discussing the one thing that can make or break participation in your annual giving: 

Relationship-building! Yes, I talk about this a lot as a key factor in your communications and retention efforts, but it's absolutely crucial in fundraising as well. 

Why? Let's say the first time a parent is hearing from you this...

Hi friends, 

As Annual Giving season is right around the corner, today I'm here to tell you one of the major fundraising mistakes that I see in small and independent schools. 

In addition, making this key mistake can also negatively impact your retention efforts. So, let's dive in!

I'll start by asking you a few questions about your expectations of parents and your routine asks throughout the year, such as: 

Do you ask parents for an activity fee in addition to the...

Hey there, 

Today we're talking all about outsourcing. Why? If you're a part of a small school, I know you probably wear many hats and are limited on resources to hire others.

Despite that, there are certain aspects of your job that CAN be outsourced and can actually save you valuable time to work on the tasks that only you can do. For instance, relationship building. 

However, I'm here to tell you that if it's not relationship building, it can be outsourced! So, without...

Hi there! 

Today we're talking about advancement directors—do you have one? Do you need one? 

If you don't yet have an advancement director, I would strongly encourage you to seek one out. Now, you may be thinking, why do I need an advancement director? What if my school doesn't have the resources for one? 

An advancement director is someone who oversees your marketing, admissions, and development, because far too often these departments are siloed. 

Now, if you're...

Hi friends, 

Have you ever conducted third-party interviews of your current parents, alumni families, and your students?

If not, I highly recommend it. It will not only give your constituency an anonymous place to express how they feel, but it will also give you key insights into why families stay, as well as why families leave. 

This information is also more valuable than your average survey results because it really provides the opportunity for your parents, alumni families,...

Hey there, 

You're swamped with work, you're constantly putting out fires, and there's always something that slips off your plate each week. Does this sound like you?

If so, it's likely because some or all of these 4 things are happening to you. Understanding why this happens is the key to working more efficiently, getting more done, and ultimately moving your school forward. 

So, let's jump in!

1. You are frequently dropping tasks at hand to put out fires. Sometimes, it's...

Hi there, 

A big question I've been hearing amongst small & independent schools lately is should we continue to use print advertising? 

There's no doubt of the power of digital advertising—it's relatively simple to create ads, publish, and track results. Does this mean print advertising is dead?

The answer is unfortunately not as straightforward as 'yes' or 'no.' The effectiveness of print advertising depends on your school. 

The key to determining if your print...

Hey there, 

Today we're diving into the exciting world of retention!

This is the time to focus on those retention efforts because, at the beginning of the school year, you're making first impressions for those new families, as well as maintaining relationships with returning families. 

I'm going to urge you to practice the 4 keys of retention. These 4 strategies are so crucial because I've seen them result in a 99% retention rate when they're executed properly. 

Hi there!

Let's talk about your not-so-new parents. You know what I'm talking about—those families who joined your school in 2020.

They're not necessarily new, but they have not yet gotten the true experience of your school. They might be familiar with some aspects of your school, but chances are they are feeling a bit disconnected. 

These families are the ones, in addition to your new families, that need some TLC at the beginning of this year. Introduce them to the community,...