Building Bridges Through Collective Leadership

Inspired by the work of Dr. John Eckert on collective leadership, Advent Episcopal School explores how distributed and collaborative leadership models empower educators to collaborate effectively, innovate, and elevate student outcomes, delving into practical strategies for fostering a culture of shared responsibility and reflective practice, creating schools where every educator is a leader.

Where Wonder is Welcome: Making Project-Based Learning Work

Charleston Collegiate School adopted Project-Based Learning as an extension of the school’s long-standing commitment to student-centered education. CCS shares how the school adopted and grew into a PBL model across all divisions. The positive outcomes show that students are not only mastering content, but thriving, becoming experts and building confidence in developing 21st-century skills.

The Future of School Fundraising: AI Tools for Advancement Teams

Artificial intelligence is reshaping independent school fundraising through widespread adoption of tools for communications, social media, and donor prospecting. While most schools expect AI to drive efficiency and transform donor engagement strategies, many lack the technical expertise for effective implementation. We’ve provided resources to inform and assess your department’s readiness and tools to help schools start small while focusing on AI as an amplifier for relationship-building and maintaining the authentic connections fundamental to effective fundraising.

From First Inquiry to First Day: Designing Seamless Admissions Experiences Through Journey Mapping

Admissions journey mapping tracks families through the phases of enrollment: awareness & interest, considerations & investigation, engagement, decision-making & application, and enrollment & retention. This strategic tool reveals family needs and enrollment influences. With 46% of schools missing enrollment goals in 2025, journey mapping may help convert interest into actual enrollment by understanding diverse family segments and building trust through transparent communication and tailored approaches.

SAIS Predictive Index® Services: Building Effective Teams Through Behavioral Science

SAIS is proud to introduce the Predictive Index® (PI) Assessment and Team Facilitation Services. The Predictive Index® is a scientifically validated assessment tool used by organizations worldwide for over 65 years. PI provides objective data about the natural behavioral drives and needs of individuals, helping organizations understand what motivates their people and how to optimize team performance. 

This comprehensive program leverages the power of behavioral science to help independent schools optimize their team dynamics, improve leadership effectiveness, and enhance organizational performance.

One head of school shared, "Our leadership team unanimously agreed that the Predictive Index® experience with SAIS was the single most meaningful exercise of the year! Our individual results provided valuable feedback on our drives, needs, and behaviors, and the team results were instrumental in shaping our team agreements and norms.” 

The tiered service model provides flexible options, ranging from targeted hiring support to in-depth team development initiatives designed to help educational institutions build stronger relationships, enhance communication, and create high-performing cultures.

SAIS Annual Conference

Join us at the SAIS Annual Conference October 19-21, in Atlanta, GA, to gain practical strategies, spark connections, and position your school for what’s next.

Arrive early to attend one of five powerful pre-conference workshops. Then, join us for keynotes from Brittany Hodak, Creating Superfans; Dr. Natalie Nixon, The Creativity Leap; and Dr. David Yeager, 10 to 25.

Plus, with 40+ engaging breakout sessions, you can tailor your experience to meet your needs—or follow one of four focused learning journeys.



Don’t miss this chance to be part of essential conversations with forward-thinking school leaders about what’s next for independent education.

Upcoming Events

Leadership Operating Model: Aligning Time, Energy, and Priorities for Impact, September 22, 4:15 PM Eastern

Curriculum Storytelling: From Mapping to Meaning, October 2, 12:00 PM Eastern

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

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

Timely Challenge Conference, November 10-11, Atlanta, GA