Challenges to independent schools' values will come not from executive orders but from inside their own communities.

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

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.

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

Students need help rebuilding their social skills post-pandemic.

Exit tickets are a powerful strategy for boards of trustees.

A true capstone experience is a confidence flywheel for students.

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

Enrollment directors are wise to spend the first two weeks of the school year focused entirely on retention.

Predictions of the themes that will dominate the independent school conversation in the year ahead.

Some frank counsel for new heads of independent schools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Leverage the high touch moments/locations of the school day--arrival, lunch, dismissal--by being present in them as often as possible.

A collection of my discoveries at the 2023 ISACS Annual Conference.

In which I sort through, skim, to be honest, my writing about schools during the pandemic.