Starting With a Deficit and Saving a School

When Robert McGehee joined St. Nicholas School as head in 2022, he faced what he thought was a healthy school going through some financial tough times. He was surprised to learn from the bookkeeper that the school had just a few months to improve its cash flow before running out of money. Discover what's possible as McGehee offers his insights and ideas for how St. Nicholas School is making smart, mission-based decisions to support the school and its community.

A Futurist Approach to Strategic Planning

For educators and school administrators who are focused on how to best prepare today’s learners to be tomorrow’s leaders, the endless possibilities can be overwhelming: How can one prepare students of today for an unknown future? Schools can take a forward-thinking approach by exploring several possible futures through the intentional practice of strategic foresight. Atlanta International School undertook just such an approach to visualize and plan for a number of possible futures for the school.

Developing Dashboards

In our mission-driven, data-informed educational landscape, effective visualization is crucial for making strategic decisions. Data dashboards transform complex school metrics into clear, actionable insights that can be understood at a glance. By leveraging visual elements like charts, graphs, and tables, school leaders can instantly spot trends. Well-designed dashboards reduce cognitive load, enable pattern recognition, and allow for data-informed decision making.

Leading for the Long Term: Retention and Feedback Strategies

Recent SAIS pulse surveys reveal that staff retention and feedback are top challenges for independent school leaders. What's Essential provides comprehensive resources for both of these challenges, offering strategic retention tools that bridge generational differences, along with practical templates and frameworks for creating meaningful feedback conversations that strengthen professional relationships and promote growth.

Curriculum Symposium | February 11-12

The SAIS Curriculum Symposium equips independent school educators and curriculum

leaders like you with the tools and insights you need to create learning experiences that

drive student success and foster continuous learning. Hear from keynote speakers Amanda Bickerstaff and Jay McTighe. With keynotes focused on research & innovation, participants will explore pedagogical ideas, innovative instructional strategies, and transformative educational products and services. Choose from four learning journeys: Design & Mapping, Instructional Strategies, Assessment & Feedback, and Agency & Engagement. Register today to join us February 11-12, 2025, in Charlotte, NC.

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendar now and register today for these upcoming in-person professional learning opportunities.

Academic Support Conference, February 9-11, 2025, Charlotte, NC

Institute for Athletic Directors, February 12-13, 2025, Charlotte, NC

DEI Institute, February 12-13, 2025, Charlotte, NC

Advancement Institute: Fundraising in the Age of AI, February 12-13, 2025, Charlotte, NC