Signs that your school might be failing don't suddenly appear all at once like a flashing neon sign. Instead, they appear gradually over the course of weeks, months, and years. I am targeting small private schools with these remarks and suggestions, hoping that you will recognize telltale signs of concern long before they become major troubles.
As you and your board of trustees review the list I have set out below, I suggest scoring each item on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing the low end and 10 representing the high end. So, for example, as you look at your enrolment data for the past 5 years, if the trend shows a deterioration in enrolment, you would score that item 5 or less. And so on. Then tackle the items on the list that need the most attention.
The following video discusses signs that a business is in trouble. Many of these will apply to a private school, which, after all, is a business.
1. Low enrollment
Let's start with enrollment. Filling your school's seats is essential for balancing your budget. If you are having trouble doing that, then you need to find out why you are not able to fill all your seats. If you are a seasoned enrolment professional or have one on your board, then seek his advice and follow it. Enrollment professionals will look at a host of