5 Things Not To Like About Private School

How to Apply for a Private School Job

If you haven't applied for any job in a couple of years, be aware of two things.

• First of all, you can do most job applications online.
• Secondly, applying for a private school job is similar to applying for a public school teaching job, although there are some subtle differences.

Review the job application process carefully.

• Don't assume everything is the same as when you last applied for a job. It won't be.
• The most significant change is the online application process.

Canva generated this picture of a teacher at her computer.

The Application Process

Most employers, including private schools, will expect you to apply online these days. They do this so that they can screen applications.

• Years ago, an administrative assistant or secretary screened snail-mailed job applications. That involved opening envelopes and sorting the applications.
• Occasionally, the assistant screened the applications to ensure that all requested materials had been sent.
• At some point, the pile of applications and cover letters ended up on the desk of the person charged with filling the job opening.

This process could take a couple of hours or even longer. That depended on the number of applications received.

• Nowadays, the screening process can be done by the staff member who is looking to fill the position.
• Viewing the online responses to an open position is very simple, fast, and convenient.
• Furthermore, you

No doubt about it, private school tuition costs are rising. Some schools seem to be rising at a faster rate than others. Why? What's behind those tuition increases? Unfortunately for many private schools costs of basic goods and services have risen dramatically. Energy costs alone chew up a major part of any school's budget. Faculty and staff salaries and benefits are a substantial part of budgets as well. In order to attract and retain qualified, skilled and experience personnel, you need to offer a decent compensation package with annual increases. Most schools also offer free or substantially reduced tuition for children of faculty and staff.

This video from ABC News discusses the benefits and costs of private school.

Reasons why private school tuitions are on the rise

Administrative costs are one reason private school tuitions increase year over year. Everything from employee compensation to insurance plays a part in this situation.

According to HowMuch.net: "The average cost of private school tuition has grown at a rate that is higher than inflation over the past 20-years. While there are several cost increases that have led to the rise in private school tuition, administrative employee compensation has been the main catalyst for the increases in private school expenses. The rise in the volume of employees who have a larger compensation package than a typical teacher has created the upward trajectory in private school tuition costs.

Private schools have terms and a language all their own. Similar to most affinity groups, this jargon is second nature to the insiders. Some of the terms which you will encounter have been passed down through the centuries. They come to us from England and other European countries where private or public schools, as they call them, have been around for centuries. That's why you will see words on this list which you will recognize with meanings that you weren't expecting.

Here are some of the more common terms you are likely to encounter as you explore private schools.

ADD/ADHD

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is what ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) used to be called.

Here's what WebMed has to say: "ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a condition with symptoms such as inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. The symptoms differ from person to person. ADHD was formerly called ADD, or attention deficit disorder. Both children and adults can have ADHD, but the symptoms always begin in childhood. Adults with ADHD may have trouble managing time, being organized, setting goals, and holding down a job."

If your child exhibits any signs of ADHD, you should have him evaluated thoroughly and professionally. The syndrome is generally treatable. Several private schools specialize in teaching boys and girls with ADHD.

Crew

Crew is the ancient sport of rowing. Rowing in shells is very popular in many private schools. Crew is offered in the fall and spring. Schools participate in

Your worst nightmare is unfolding. The Board has asked you, as Head, to prepare a strategic plan for the school. Before you even start, consider these three tips.

1. Conduct a Rigorous Situation Assessment

A plan is only as good as the facts on which it is based. For this reason, a situation assessment is essential to support informed decision-making in strategic planning. A situation assessment addresses three major topics.

Know the Board's Appetite for Change

Be sure to scope the Board's appetite for change. After all, the Board will ultimately be asked to approve the strategic plan and the allocation of resources to support its implementation. If the Board doesn't buy into your plan, then the strategic planning process could come to an inglorious end, when presented to that very same unsuspecting Board by the soon-to-be ex-Head. With the Board on your side, at least you can do some proper advance preparation and lobbying on issues you know the Board finds difficult to accept.

Document the Way Things Work Today

Don't assume that you - or anyone else, especially the Board - understands the way things actually happen at the school.

• Prepare a detailed description of every major functional area.
• Include everything from the administrative functions through to the academic functions.
• Identify who is responsible for the functional activity, the activities being managed, the way the activities are managed, staffing, and budget.

Without these descriptions in hand, it becomes almost impossible to describe how any change proposed in the strategic plan