Schools of Excellence: The No. 1 ECE & Private School Leadership Podcast

When was the last time you looked at your enrollment numbers and thought, “This is fine?” Many school leaders mistake “not terrible” for “optimal” — and it's costing them more than they realize. One of our clients, Missy, thought her multi-location program was doing “fine” too. Her center wasn't full, but that was just the nature of that location ... or so she thought. After implementing three spe...

We know the feeling of trying to juggle everything at once and feeling overwhelmed when we aren’t able to. That’s why this episode introduces a Schools of Excellence proven framework that will revolutionize your school’s operating system. It’s called the 5 Gears, and it explores the idea that it’s impossible to work on everything at once.   Today we’re kicking off a 6-part series during which...

This episode looks a little different. Chanie was recently joined by school leaders wanting to fill their programs without spending a dollar on marketing.  During this exclusive roundtable replay, three education leaders will share: How one school enrolled 27 new students using only their enrollment system The calendar structure that helped another secure 15 new enrollments The exact process...

. Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for the free Delegation Workshop: https://schoolsofexcellence.com/delegation

Every school leader we talk to is feeling the same crushing pressure: Enrollment numbers are dropping Marketing costs are skyrocketing Parents are becoming more selective than ever Schools of Excellence has studied hundreds of schools who broke through the enrollment ceiling. They are not spending more money on marketing, a fancy website, or desperate discounts and panic pivots. They have done a c...

Millennial and Gen Z parents are engaged in what feels like an academic arms race — treating their children's education like a life or death strategic operation — and for good reason. On average, these parents will spend a quarter of a million dollars on their child’s education, not to mention the emotional energy and strategic planning they dedicate. The enrollment pressure compounds as families...

We see how hard you’re working as you continue to lose money to free pre-k programs. We see you losing sleep over next month’s enrollment. We see you struggling to maintain your rates while spots remain empty.  Now, we want you to pause and answer this question: What are you doing to drive enrollment? Unfortunately, most school leaders are prioritizing activities that are farthest from the ca...

This episode looks a little different. Chanie was recently joined by school leaders, just like yourself, who are ready to join the top schools that are growing enrollment by 25% without cutting rates or compromising quality. What you’ll learn in this workshop replay: Profit Messaging™: How to clearly communicate your center's unique value Profit Calendar™: Creating a systematic approach to enrollm...

We know there’s a lot of hesitancy around financial conversations, but let’s overcome that discomfort to acknowledge this truth: enrollment and finances are two sides of the same coin. When we’re content with “fine but could be better” enrollment numbers, we are leaving money on the table.  Let's say you have two open spots in your Pre-K classroom. It doesn't sound like a lot, but if we do th...

There is an educational extinction event happening right now. You're not just losing students. You are witnessing the systemic dismantling of traditional education. In the last three years alone, 37 % of private schools have seen enrollment drop by over 20%. And the numbers continue to worsen. But you don’t have to continue fighting just to survive.  In this episode, you’ll learn how to becom...

When we struggle with enrollment, we say things like: “Free pre-K is killing us.” “We lost our grant funding.” “Our city keeps changing the rules.” “The minimum wage keeps increasing. It's destroying our margins.”  “Parents only care about price right now.” Schools of Excellence hears you, but we’re going to flip this narrative… These are not your real problems. These are symptoms. In today’s...

Whether you live in a bustling city or a quiet suburban area, the educational landscape is shifting. Schools can no longer depend on default systems or traditional approaches.  Can you feel it? We’re in the midst of a Great School Enrollment Awakening. The old enrollment approach feels hollow and artificial. Parents are no longer looking for an institution; they’re seeking a community — one t...

Chanie was recently joined by women multi-site owners for a CEO Power Hour to uncover the money leaks in their operations. You cannot listen to this without saving some money. We promise! In this episode you will learn: Space Optimization Gaps Payment System Leaks Schedule Efficiency Gaps Food Control Leaks Supply Management Gaps Administrative & Technical Systems Discover the breakthrough app...

High-achieving leaders understand how to align their goals and actions to drive meaningful progress in their centers. In this episode, Chanie shares why the schools that will win in 2025 challenge conventional wisdom and embrace discomfort. Chanie’s five powerful truths that will propel your leadership: More is the enemy of high performance Embrace the discomfort of pressure It is not your effort,...

Important reminder for every school leader who’s reading this:  You’re not just getting by or just managing a school; you’re transforming lives in your center one decision at a time.  In this episode, Chanie reconnects you to the heart of your mission and why you do what you do by walking through some celebration prompts for what you’ve achieved in 2024. Need some inspiration to rem...

This episode is for every school leader out there who feels there is no one in their life who “gets” the challenges of being the leader. In this episode, Chanie is joined by Amy Retchless, an ECE owner from Frederick, Colorado.  Like all leaders, Amy has experienced various seasons as a school leader. In both the times she’s crushing it and when she needs a little more support, she’s found co...

Ashley Perron-Knutson, a fellow ECE leader, found herself at a crossroads with her center. She had to decide whether to continue struggling or commit to becoming the best leader she could be.   In this episode, Chanie and Ashley discuss how she regained clarity and organization with the frameworks she received as a Schools of Excellence member: What you will learn: How revamping your calenda...

This episode looks a little different than others.  November 14th, Chanie was joined by school leaders for an interactive workshop that tackled the complexity of attracting, engaging, and retaining families in 2024. Are you ready to stop guessing what your families want and start knowing exactly how to connect with every family in your school?  In this episode, you will learn how to impl...

Need more enrollment? Learn this simple framework. If you’re over generic solutions that don’t move the needle, and are ready for something tangible that can consistently attract, engage, and retain your families, listen in and register for the New School Playbook Workshop. Design your new enrollment playbook in only 1 hour with our live interactive workshop - November 14th  To attend live or...

Whether it be election-related stress, end of the year hecticness, or just a busy season of your life, we can all benefit from creating moments of tranquility. Our bodies literally hold this stress inside us. It’s imperative we understand this for our long-term health. Our mental state deeply impacts our physical state and the other way around. When our brains and bodies feel overwhelmed, it’s esp...

The Playbook for enrolling new families in your school has changed. The old rules of building a website, sending a postcard and holding an open house just don’t work like they used to.  In previous episodes, Chanie emphasized taking action by knowing your families, speaking their language, being where they are, and training the troops. Now it’s time to make it happen! Develop a weekly, monthl...

The Playbook for enrolling new families in your school has changed. The old rules of building a website, sending a postcard, and holding an open house just don’t work like they used to.  In today’s episode, the fourth part of the New School Playbook Series, Chanie breaks down how to Train Your Troops . We’ve all had awkward social interactions — accidentally bumping into someone, forgetting s...

The Playbook for enrolling new families in your school has changed. The old rules of building a website, sending a postcard and holding an open house just don’t work like they used to.  How many different ways are you sending out information to your families? Maybe it’s just one email. Or maybe it’s seven emails, 4 texts and a printed flyer.  When you step back and examine your different...

The Playbook for enrolling new families in your school has changed.  The old rules of building a website, sending a postcard and holding an open house just don’t work like they used to. Think about how good it feels when someone notices something that’s uniquely you  and engages with that in mind… You’re a person who matters to them. When you can achieve this with your families, you crea...

The Playbook for enrolling new families in your school has changed.  The old rules of building a website, sending a postcard and holding an open house just don’t work like they used to.  In part one of this series, Chanie will be sharing the 5 new power plays to attract, engage, and retain families.  The first is: Know Your Families. Key Ideas:  We know you want to know your fa...