Private PK-12 Schools

Spelman Johnson Understands Private PK-12 School Leadership Needs

Private PK-12 school leaders are increasingly expected to be familiar with and equipped to respond to their school communities’ myriad of contemporary challenges with confidence and clear vision.

Top 5 characteristics required of independent school leaders

• While median private PK-12 school enrollment has rebounded from the pandemic’s lows, enrollment dynamics and trends are more complex than ever. Increased competition from charter and magnet schools, declining birth rates, regional and national demographic trends, and the respective school’s characteristics (day or boarding, coed or single gender, small vs. large, range of academic grade levels, etc.) are only some of the variables that independent school leaders must understand to manage their student enrollment strategically.
• School safety and security continue to be one of the most critical considerations for families as they explore school options for their students. Private PK-12 school leaders must fully grasp best practices in physical security, student and adult safety, and crisis response.
• Students and their families have heightened expectations for a comprehensive range of health and wellness programming and services. Private PK-12 school leaders must understand the complexity of student mental health, personal well-being, and individualized learning support and find sustainable ways to provide such services.
• Faculty recruitment, hiring, retention, compensation, and morale are among school leaders’ most commonly reported concerns. While attracting talented teachers is not a new challenge, faculty retirements are not slowing down and a review of the NAIS Career Center shows that the number of jobs posted continues to be higher than the pre-pandemic patterns. The resulting competition among private PK-12 schools in recruiting faculty candidates is an exacerbating factor. School leaders must have a clear vision for addressing these issues to attract and retain top faculty talent.
• Creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities that support a sense of belonging for students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni has never been a higher priority in school leadership. Expectations for school leaders have evolved from supporting standalone DEI programs and initiatives to leading comprehensive and strategic culture change—all against the backdrop of an increasingly polarized society and nation.