Independent School Moonshot Podcast

From streamlining operations with tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to reducing teacher burnout, this episode dives into AI's practical and strategic uses in independent school operations. Christina Lewellen , Executive Director of the  Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools  (ATLIS) , shares insights on adopting AI thoughtfully, protecting privacy, and preparing schools fo...

I’m excited to re-release this episode with Kevin Folan, Head of School at Providence Country Day School, where we dive into their successful tuition reset and the innovative strategies that have transformed their school. This topic is more timely than ever—just last week, an article I co-authored with Kevin, Rethinking Tuition Resets for Sustainability , was published in Independent School Magazi...

Deans are the unsung heroes of independent schools, often shaping culture, managing crises, and fostering connections with every constituency on campus. In this episode,  Bridget Johnson , founder of the  Dean’s Roundtable , shares her expertise on the critical role of deans and why their work is essential to a school’s success. From creating positive cultures to navigating the emotional...

How can schools build trust and alignment to weather any storm? In this episode,  Scott Allenby ,  Chief Strategy and Communications Officer  at  Proctor Academy , dives into the critical connections between strategy, communication, and culture. He reveals how identifying “immovables”—the non-negotiable core elements of a school’s identity—can guide crisis responses and daily o...

In this episode, David Sullivan, Senior Advisor at the  Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative  (SPARC) and former Head of School at Breakwater School in Portland, Maine, reveals how he transformed a $350,000 deficit into consistent surpluses. Through innovative auxiliary revenue strategies and bold leadership, David shares actionable insights for independent schools looking...

Discover how strategic leadership, data-driven insights, and collaborative governance can reimagine longstanding programs in schools. Join  Autumn Graves , Head of School at  St. Anne’s-Belfield School , and  Ari Betof , Co-Founder & Partner of  Mission & Data , as they share actionable strategies to drive meaningful change. What You'll Learn: Strategic Evaluation Techn...

How can schools save time, reduce overwhelm, and achieve better outcomes with the right external partnerships?  Chris Pryor , founder of  Lead Team Partners  and  School Partner Connect , shares the answer in this episode. As school leaders juggle daily demands and big-picture priorities, Chris shares why outsourcing is more critical than ever—and how to find the right partner...

This Independent School Moonshot Podcast episode features  Rebecca Malotke-Meslin , founder of  Pleasantly Aggressive  Coaching and Consulting . Rebecca explores the inequities in school leadership, highlighting the systemic challenges women leaders face, including unsustainable workloads and inequitable systems. She examines the cultural and institutional changes necessary to advan...

This episode explores how  Brilliant Microschools  grew from a small tutoring service to an accredited micro-school serving 1,200 students by adopting an iterative approach to scaling. Founder  Andreas Marinopoulos  shares how the school tested ideas, learned from failures, and continuously improved its offerings based on close collaboration with families. Brilliant Microschool...

This conversation with  Angela Brown  from  Niche  dives into the complexities independent schools are navigating today. We unpack the growing array of choices families have and explore how schools can stand out while building strong, connected communities. What You'll Discover: Broadening Your Competitive Horizon:  Understand the significance of recognizing a broader spec...

What does building a brand that truly connects with your school’s community take? In this episode of the Independent School Moonshot podcast,  Madison Carr , Creative Director at  Creative Chameleon Studio , dives into the transformative role of branding in independent schools. From aligning internal stakeholders to crafting a compelling narrative, Madison shares how effective brand stra...

Want to put data work for your school? In this episode,  Kaitlin Windle , founder of  Apte , shares her expertise in transforming school data into strategic tools that drive decision-making and accountability. Kaitlin discusses her journey from Wall Street to independent schools, where she now helps schools leverage data to meet their strategic goals. She discusses the importance of simp...

In this episode,  Tom McManus , Head of School at  Montgomery School , and   Drew Cocco , VP of Client Experience at  Clarity  and former Director of Enrollment leader at Montgomery, break down the school's steps to build a sustainable growth model. They talk about the decision to reset tuition as part of a bigger plan to make the school more accessible and the ongoing wor...

Visit the episode page: https://www.moonshotos.com/transparency-in-action Jim Brewer, Head of  The McGillis School , talks about their innovative approach to pricing and sustainability. He shares the journey McGillis embarked on to align tuition rates with teacher compensation and long-term financial stability. From transparency in financial goals to data-driven insights, Jim details how McGi...

Visit the episode page: https://www.moonshotos.com/how-to-differentiate-your-school-and-boost-enrollment In this episode of the Moonshot podcast, hear from Clayton Johnston, Director of Admission at Brentwood College School and author of " Dare To Be Different: Practical Tips for Developing a Unique and Sustainable Admissions Strategy for Your Boarding School ." The book is available on Amazon. Cl...

Visit the episode page: https://www.moonshotos.com/winning-recruitment-strategies-for-a-competitive-independent-school-market In today’s competitive market, independent schools face new challenges in attracting and retaining students. The traditional “gatherer” mindset, where schools wait for families to come to them, is no longer sufficient. To thrive, schools must take a proactive approach—activ...

Access the episode page here: https://www.moonshotos.com/blue-ocean-strategy-for-independent-schools In this special episode of the Independent School Moonshot Podcast,  David Hanson, CFO and COO at The Branson School and Managing Partner of  Winthrop & Associates, LLC , shares insights from a free webinar originally hosted on Friday, September 27th, 2024. The discussion centers on h...

Mergers and acquisition discussions continue to heat up in independent schools— two schools coming together to create a stronger community. But, acquisition stories don't always revolve around one school acquiring another. Often, they're about a smaller, strategic acquisition that aligns perfectly with and boosts a school's institutional goals. And this is why I'm so excited to share my latest cas...

In our 31-minute conversation, Amy Jolly, Head of ScVideohool, Applewild School (Fitchburg, MA) shares how she and her team ​doubled the school's revenue in four years​ (yes, I wrote DOUBLED!). You'll learn how she embraced an iterative approach to grow programs, sunset those that weren't working, and create an energy that excites the community about where they are today and where they'll go tomor...

In this episode of the  Independent School Moonshot Podcast, Chris Watson, Head of School at  Soundview School , shares the detailed process behind their successful tuition reset. Before making any bold moves, Chris and his team spent three years conducting in-depth studies to diagnose the root causes of their enrollment challenges. They resisted the temptation to jump to quick fixes and...

Join us for an exclusive case study episode featuring Rob Phillips, the visionary head of Seattle Academy, who has led the school through remarkable growth from a modest beginning to over 1,200 students. This episode offers unparalleled insights into how an entrepreneurial mindset can dramatically transform educational settings. Discover strategies to inspire leaders in any field to foster a thriv...

Is a tuition reset right for your school? In this episode of the Independent School Case Study series, Lucie Lapovsky, Principal of Lapovsky Consulting, a leading higher ed expert on finance and tuition resets and former President of Mercy College, breaks down the concept of tuition resets and offers practical advice on when and how to implement this strategy effectively. Gain a deeper understandi...

In this case study, Nishant Mehta from MehtaCognition clarifies the distinction between strategy and strategic planning, emphasizing that true strategy focuses on understanding competitive advantage and making informed, prioritized choices. He highlights the importance of deeply understanding a school’s culture before developing a strategy and the need for effective data utilization. Learn the rol...

The Story of a Financial Turnaround Imagine starting as a new head with a mandate to re-engineer the school’s financial model. Then, add a global pandemic to the mix just seven months after starting, and threading the needle becomes WAY harder. That’s what Booth Kyle faced when he assumed the headship at Indian Creek School. In this case study, learn how Booth and his team navigated the challenge,...