Growing Private Schools - Strategically

Several private school boards that I have worked with believed that the key to growing their schools was a more effective student recruitment and marketing plan. Although having a robust marketing and student recruitment plan is extremely important, there is much more to the “school growth equation” than that. Consider the following, as a start:

1. Develop a comprehensive strategic plan that is value-add focused for growth - addressing all aspects of the operation.
   
2. Review, evaluate, and seek constituent feedback to understand how the school is perceived. Don’t be afraid to ask yourselves - “how are we doing?”
   
3. Study and list all barriers to growth - and plan to remove every barrier systematically. Reviewing barriers often leads to new ideas that will bring new growth solutions.
   
4. Ensure that there are “builders” on the school board and/or on the school’s administrative team to energize the process of growth planning and execution.
   

School growth is multi-layered and complex but when it starts with a well vetted and best-practice plan, adequate evaluation, and is driven by the right people, there is always a great chance at success!