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Let’s start thinking more intentionally about the performance of individuals  in our schools - not in an HR-policy way, but genuinely, as people with layers, potential, and blind spots. Start with this: every person in your school either expands or limits the collective impact of the school. The job of the head of school is to notice which direction they’re leaning and help them lean better. 1. Start with Clarity (Even When It’s Awkward) Performance issues often hide behind f

International schools generated $67.3 billion USD in annual fees as of January 2025, up 22% since 2020 according to the Enrollment Management Association, and the Admissions Managers in the 15,000 international schools around the world that play a huge part in generating this revenue work in a competitive field!  Since fee income from enrollment is the primary or only revenue stream for many schools, admissions performance is tightly linked to viability and investment capacit

When I joined the leadership team at Luanda International School in Angola, I entered an environment shaped by a clear and intentional leadership vision. The Head of School has established a collaborative culture grounded in transparency, shared responsibility, and data-informed decision-making. Rather than relying on traditional hierarchical structures, the school has embraced a leadership model that encourages open dialogue, cross-functional coordination, and shared account

We spend weeks perfecting the prospectus. We obsess over open day speeches. We A/B test the admissions landing page. But how much time do we spend analyzing how we speak to each other? In most schools, internal communications run on autopilot: a legacy mix of Friday emails, briefing notes, WhatsApp groups, corridor conversations, and the occasional all-staff meeting. It works. Sort of.  Until it doesn't. If you're noticing signs of "information fatigue" among staff, or if key

In international schools, two departments often work in the background yet influence almost every part of community life: Communications and Technology. Individually, each department has enormous influence over how a school functions and is perceived. When we step back though, it becomes clear that their impact can reach far beyond those functions. Together, they hold untapped potential as strategic partners in shaping the future of schools.