Small School Solutions Schedule

 

Your annual membership will get your questions answered and give you access to monthly guest experts in the field!

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Upcoming Events

  • Tuesday, July 15 at 12:00 pm ET: Monthly Community Q&A
  • Tuesday, July 15 at 12:30 pm ET: Planning Your Annual Fund: Let's Talk Strategy (Without the Stress) - Collaborative Session with Aubrey Bursch
  • Tuesday, July 22 at 1:00 pm ET: Informal Chat on SEO & Digital Ads with Angie Ward
  • Thursday, August 7 at 1:00 pm ET: Leading Through Change: Building Strong Teams During Transitions with Edward Hollinger
  • Tuesday, August 12 at 12:00 pm ET: Monthly Community Q&A 
  • Tuesday, August 12 at 12:30 pm ET: Cut Through the Noise: Communicating Effectively with Parents - Collaborative Session with Aubrey Bursch
  • Tuesday, September 9 at 12:00 pm ET: Monthly Community Q&A
  • Tuesday, September 9 at 12:30 pm ET: AI for School Leaders: Tips, Tools, and Real Talk - Collaborative Session with Aubrey Bursch 
  • Thursday, September 18 at 1:00 pm ET: Advancing with Confidence: Building Board Capacity for Successful Campaigns with Barbara Barron
  • Tuesday, October 7 at 12:00 pm ET: Monthly Community Q&A
  • Tuesday, October 7 at 12:30 pm ET: TBD - Collaborative Session with Aubrey Bursch 
  • Tuesday, October 18 at 1:00 pm ET: Boost Your School’s Buzz: Smart Digital Marketing Tips That Work with Trevor Waddington 
  • Thursday, November 6 at 12:00 pm ET: Monthly Community Q&A
  • Thursday, November 6 at 12:30 pm ET: TBD - Collaborative Session with Aubrey Bursch  
  • Tuesday, November 18 at 12:00 pm ET: Branding in Schools: Digital vs. Print – Where Should You Invest? with Lisa Leidy
  • Wednesday, December 3 at 1:00 pm ET: Current Trends in Auxiliary Programs with Nat Saltonstall
  • Thursday, December 11 at 12:00 pm ET: Monthly Community Q&A
  • Thursday, December 11 at 12:30 pm ET: TBD - Collaborative Session with Aubrey Bursch

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Aubrey Bursch

Founder & CEO

Aubrey is passionate about supporting small + independent schools to increase enrollment, retention, and revenue by designing + executing marketing strategies that work for them.
 
As the daughter of lifelong educators and mom of two independent school students, she combines her passion for schools with her 20+ years of marketing and development to help schools identify and implement high ROI initiatives. Aubrey co-hosts the Mindful School Marketing podcast, leads the free Small School Leaders professional development program, and speaks nationwide.

 

 

 Upcoming Guest Expert Trainings

 

Tuesday, July 22 at 1pm ET: Informal Chat on SEO & Digital Ads with Angie Ward

SEO and digital ads were hot topics in our Small School Solutions membership, and we’re diving in with an informal discussion led by Angie Ward.

We’ll cover key questions like:

  • Which digital ad platforms are worth your time (and budget)?
  • When should you invest in ads—and when should you hold off?
  • What’s a reasonable budget for in-house vs. outsourced marketing?
  • How do you know when to DIY or bring in outside help?

Whether you’re already running ads or just starting to explore SEO, this is a great chance to get expert insights without the heavy lift. Join us for a casual and valuable conversation. Bring your questions!

With a knack for marketing strategy and analytics, Angie has helped over 300 colleges, universities, K-12 schools, and camps with result-driven marketing solutions. She Co-Founded Enroll Media in 2018 with the goal of creating an agency dedicated to the unique challenges of digital marketing for enrollment.

Thursday, August 7 at 12:00 pm ET: Leading Through Change: Building Strong Teams During Transitions with Edward Hollinger

Change is inevitable, but how we navigate it can make all the difference. Whether it's a new leadership role, a shifting school culture, or guiding your team through unexpected challenges, leading through transitions requires a thoughtful approach and a resilient mindset. Join us for an informal discussion on how to foster leadership team development during times of change. We’ll share practical strategies, swap stories of what worked (and what didn’t), and explore how to build strong, adaptable teams that thrive through transitions. Bring your own experiences and insights to the table—let’s learn from each other and leave with new ideas to support our leadership journeys!

Edward Hollinger, founder of Hollinger Group Consulting, is an educational leader and consultant specializing in transitional leadership, team development and professional coaching. Ed holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Temple University and is certified in Organizational Change and Leadership Coaching from Northwestern University.  His work guides individuals and organizations to discover and develop their best professional selves.

Thursday, September 18, at 1 pm ET: Advancing with Confidence: Building Board Capacity for Successful Campaigns with Barbara Barron (SSS Guest Expert)

Empower your Board with the skills and insights needed to lead effective advancement efforts. From capacity building and best practices to conducting feasibility studies to preparing for capital campaigns, this training will help Board members participate meaningfully in every stage of the advancement process with confidence. Hear how schools can gain valuable strategies through advancement appraisals and learn how to drive lasting impact for their organization.

Specific descriptions of projects she’s managed, positions she’s held, and endorsements from former colleagues, supervisors, current and former clients, and Board members can be found at her website: http://barbarabarron.com.

Tuesday, October 18 at 1 pm ET: Boost Your School’s Buzz: Smart Digital Marketing Tips That Work with Trevor Waddington

Want to attract more families and build stronger connections online? Join us for an informal and interactive session where we’ll dive into simple, effective digital marketing strategies tailored for schools. From creating scroll-stopping social media content to optimizing your Google presence and crafting newsletters that get read, you’ll walk away with practical tips you can put into action right away. Bring your questions, share your experiences, and leave feeling inspired to take your school’s digital presence to the next level!

Trevor Waddington is the Principal and Founder of Truth Tree, a leading digital marketing agency that specializes in providing tailored marketing solutions for private, independent, and charter schools. His career began as a social studies teacher before transitioning into school administration, where he held key roles in admissions, marketing, communications, enrollment management, and financial aid.

Tuesday, November 18 at 12 pm ET: Branding in Schools: Digital vs. Print – Where Should You Invest? with Lisa Leidy

Discover key strategies for growingJoin us for an informal discussion as we dive into the world of school branding and marketing strategies. We'll explore the key question every school leader faces: Should you focus your efforts and dollars on digital marketing or print materials? We’ll weigh the pros and cons of each, helping you make informed decisions about where to invest for maximum impact. Whether you're a small school or a large institution, this conversation will provide valuable insights into where your branding budget can work hardest for you.

Lisa Leidy is an agency principal at Square Spot Design—a creative agency focused on working solely with clients in the non-profit sector—where she has been developing creative strategies for non-profits since 2003. Her expertise is in helping mission-driven organizations find their authentic voice as a foundation for impactful communications.  Lisa’s open and informative nature provides clients with the guidance they need to make informed decisions regarding brand strategy and design.

Wednesday, December 3 at 12 pm ET: Current Trends in Auxiliary Programs with Nat Saltonstall

Discover key strategies for growing and improving your school's auxiliary programs in this dynamic discussion with Nat Saltonstall, Executive Director and Founder of SPARC. We’ll explore critical areas such as expanding revenue streams, enhancing program quality, increasing enrollment, and strengthening operational efficiency. Whether you’re looking to refine existing programs or launch new initiatives, this discussion will provide valuable insights to help your programs thrive.

Nat Saltonstall is a leading expert in independent school summer and auxiliary programming, with over 30 years of experience developing and directing high-performing programs. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director of SPARC (Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative), the premier national organization supporting independent school auxiliary leaders. Since founding SPARC in 2016 as a national conference, Nat has expanded it into a year-round membership collaborative offering professional development, benchmarking data, best practices, and a supportive peer community.

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Past Expert Trainings

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Did You Know That Your Small School Solutions Membership Gives You Access To The Small School Leaders Conference?

Your membership grants you access to the Small School Leaders Conference each year!

Learn more about the 2025 Small School Leaders Conference by visiting our Conference Page. With 30+ professionals sharing their expertise in Marketing, Development, Leadership, and all things small school, it’s a true treasure trove of insight, strategy, and inspiration.

Be Sure To Save The Date For Next Year's Conference:
February 4–6, 2026
Check Out The Conference Here!

"Aubrey is very knowledgeable on the subject of enrollment and knowing your market. The strategies she offers are realistic and relevant to today's challenges. She is energetic and upbeat and relates well to her audience."

— Katrina, Admissions Director

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