A Community That Cares: Fostering Belonging Through Faculty and Staff Wellness

In the high-achieving culture of independent schools, there is often an unspoken pressure to perform at the highest level. While this drive for excellence can be a strength, it can also create environments where wellness feels countercultural or secondary. Porter-Gaud School shares how wellness has become a central, strategic priority for the entire school community, moving beyond short-term wellness initiatives toward a lasting culture with built-in support systems.

From Reactive to Proactive: Building Recruitment Programs for the Long Game

Schools face an increasingly competitive and shrinking pool of qualified teachers. In March 2025, 42.9 percent of SAIS heads shared that retention and recruitment of qualified staff remains a top priority. To build a pipeline of teachers who are both a mission match and contributors to the school culture, The Westminster Schools has developed a hiring ecosystem that prioritizes faculty and staff culture and well-being.

Financial Resilience for Independent Schools: What to Watch and How to Measure

Current challenges impacting the financial sustainability of independent schools include declining enrollment trends, rising costs, evolving expectations, and intensified market competition. Identifying healthy financial indicators and being aware of warning signs can help schools recognize when problems need immediate attention versus long-term planning. Through data-driven frameworks and proactive adaptation, schools can strengthen their financial position with mission-driven and values-focused strategies. 

Crafting the Learning Journey: Storyboards That Streamline and Connect Curriculum

With SAIS pulse surveys identifying curriculum mapping, sequencing, and vertical alignment as a top priority, traditional curriculum design may be falling short. Curriculum Storyboarding, developed by Heidi Hayes Jacobs and Allison Zmuda, addresses this by presenting courses as year-long narratives rather than disconnected units. This approach streamlines the curriculum, encourages student engagement, connects past learning to new concepts, and shows students not just what they will learn, but where they are going next, and why it matters. 

SAIS School Community Feedback Survey

SAIS is pleased to launch the updated and expanded School Community Feedback Survey, which captures feedback across all critical aspects of the school experience, providing actionable data to drive continuous improvement and strategic decision-making.

The School Community Feedback Survey represents a strategic investment in your school’s continuous improvement and community engagement. By systematically gathering feedback from all stakeholders, schools can make data-driven decisions that enhance the educational experience, strengthen community bonds, and ensure long-term institutional success.

Timely Challenge Conference

Attracting and retaining top faculty and staff is one of the most pressing challenges facing independent schools today. The Timely Challenge Conference brings together school leaders to explore innovative strategies for recruitment, retention, and workplace culture.

Join us to engage in expert-led sessions, peer discussions, and case studies that address topics including building a compelling employee value proposition, navigating generational shifts in the workforce, and creative pipelines for hiring and talent development.

With keynotes from Dr. Carrie Grimes, Vanderbilt University, and Andy Walker, Willis Towers Watson, this conference is designed to provide actionable insights to ensure your school remains a destination for top-tier educators and staff.

Upcoming Events

Mind the Gap: Strengthening the Recruitment Pipeline, October 9, 12:00 PM Eastern

Annual Conference, October 19-21, Atlanta, GA

The Wellness-Retention Connection: Creating Thriving Faculty Communities Through Early Care & Support, October 23, 10:00 AM Eastern

Blueprint Sprint, November 6-7, Charlotte, NC, and November 17-18, Atlanta, GA