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Making the Case
The case is evolving before you every day.

Mike Vachow
Aug 10, 20252 min read


Forecast 2025 - 2026: Vanishing Point
A forecast for the independent school year to come.

Mike Vachow
Jul 15, 20252 min read


Doesn't Cost Nothing
What does May cost? Tracking the real and opportunity cost of school events.

Mike Vachow
May 6, 20253 min read


Coming From Inside the House
Challenges to independent schools' values will come not from executive orders but from inside their own communities.

Mike Vachow
Apr 2, 20253 min read


Hard Head Facts
Two hard things about headship, deal-breakers if you can't or aren't willing to do them.

Mike Vachow
Mar 11, 20253 min read


Speak by the Card
In writing, just as in chemistry, knowing the parts and how to put them together is invaluable, especially if you want to blow something up.

Mike Vachow
Feb 12, 20253 min read


Counter Cultural
With the new Presidential administration about to take office, many independent schools could become countercultural.

Mike Vachow
Jan 3, 20252 min read


Rebuilding Student Culture
Students need help rebuilding their social skills post-pandemic.

Mike Vachow
Dec 4, 20243 min read


Exit Ticket
Exit tickets are a powerful strategy for boards of trustees.

Mike Vachow
Nov 1, 20243 min read


Capstone Experiences
A true capstone experience is a confidence flywheel for students.

Mike Vachow
Sep 13, 20242 min read


Strong Start
You've got one shot at a strong start for new families. Make it count.

Mike Vachow
Aug 20, 20244 min read


Student Retention: The First Two Weeks
Enrollment directors are wise to spend the first two weeks of the school year focused entirely on retention.

Mike Vachow
Jul 31, 20242 min read


Outlook: 2024 - 2025
Predictions of the themes that will dominate the independent school conversation in the year ahead.

Mike Vachow
Jul 29, 20242 min read


New Heads: First 90 Days
Some frank counsel for newly appointed, first time heads of independent schools.

Mike Vachow
Jul 2, 20243 min read


Teaching and Learning
Your unique program might get them into the admission office, but once there, you've got to win them on teaching and learning.

Mike Vachow
Jun 2, 20242 min read


Center Stage
Independent schools must showcase authentic student and faculty excellence to counter some toxic perceptions that have taken hold recently.

Mike Vachow
May 5, 20243 min read


The Candidate's View
The faculty recruitment process from the candidate's point of view

Mike Vachow
Apr 1, 20243 min read


Turning Down the Job
Our customers come to schools with jobs to be done, but some of them we can't do or can't do well.

Mike Vachow
Mar 3, 20243 min read


Arcane Expertise
Heads often become expert in unusual subjects. Mine was neighbors.

Mike Vachow
Jan 30, 20243 min read


Rolling Search
Because of the fewness of candidates, most searches are now rolling searches, candidates trickling through one by one.

Mike Vachow
Jan 2, 20242 min read
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