New Staff & Faculty Onboarding Starts With Your "Why"

Recruiting and retaining qualified faculty and staff remains a top concern for heads of school, according to a recent pulse survey. The onboarding experience for new faculty and staff sets the foundation for a new hire’s first impression of your school. Onboarding provides the opportunity to set clear expectations while welcoming new employees into the school community. Woodward Academy and Forsyth Country Day School share how they approach onboarding with intention. By developing structured programs, both schools integrate new hires into their unique school cultures and shared values while keeping the focus on the “why”—the mission and vision.

4 Strategies for Implementing a New Family Onboarding Program

As one school year ends, another quietly begins—with the arrival of new families preparing to join the community. The transition over the summer months is more than a logistical process; it’s a formative experience that shapes how families come to understand, trust, and engage with the school. Research and experience both affirm this truth: the onboarding journey during a student’s first year is often the deciding factor in whether a family re-enrolls. Montessori School of Columbia, St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School, Dunham School, and Father Ryan High School offer their insights as to what a successful onboarding program for new families looks like.

Designing Successful Leadership Retreats

Effective leadership retreats move teams toward a shared vision. We’ve provided practical frameworks that can energize, clarify priorities, and strengthen collaboration, as well as evidence-based assessments that facilitate team communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making for school leaders at all levels. Whether addressing curriculum changes, staffing issues, or cultural shifts, these experiences balance strategic thinking with relationship building. 

Strategic Financial and Facility Planning

Even well-resourced schools are not immune to the compounding risks of aging facilities. The real challenge lies in knowing when and how to invest, determining what must be addressed now, what can wait, and how those decisions align with a school’s strategic vision. Jeff Mitchell, head of school at Currey Ingram Academy in Brentwood, TN, offers insights for heads grappling with cost-benefit analysis and frameworks to ensure financial planning that sustains facilities and leverages them as assets to actively support the school’s mission and future.

Summer Conference | June 16-18 | Sarasota, FL

Gain insights from industry experts and sharpen your skills to elevate your school’s impact during the SAIS Summer Conference. Join us to explore the essential elements of environment, experiences, and programming that drive student growth and success.

Timely session topics ranging from student well-being and agency to building relationships, making connections, and strategic planning provide the research-backed insights needed by counselors, deans of students, and division leaders.

With keynotes focused on supporting students, educators, and parents, the Summer Conference will prepare you for the school year ahead.

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendar now and register today for these upcoming learning opportunities.

Development Priorities: What to Do When You Can't Do It All, May 6, 12:00-1:00 PM EDT, Virtual

The State of Student Well-Being 2025: Trendlines and Next Steps, May 8, 12:00-1:00 PM EDT, Virtual

Administrative Leadership Institute, June 9-11, Sarasota, FL

Small Schools Strategy Sprint, June 16-18, Sarasota, FL

Advancement Summit: Capital Campaigns, June 16-18, Sarasota, FL

Institute for Heads, June 24-27, Sarasota, FL