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School Strategic Planning - How To Ensure Success
Strategic planning is a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, what it does, and why it does it, with a focus on the future.

Great Organizations have Great Plans

In simplest terms, an organization undertakes strategic planning to reaffirm or modify its mission – why it exists, what its purpose is, what it now does – and to agree on its vision – what it wants to be and do in the coming years. The purpose is not to decide what should be done in the future but to decide what should be done now to make desired things happen in an uncertain future.

In short, strategic planning is a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, what it does, and why it does it, with a focus on the future.

The real value of strategic planning in a school is more than simply the outcome of having a blueprint that guides future leadership decisions. It is a powerful and effective way to build consensus and motivate resource support and is particularly useful in defining priorities for the Board, the Head of School, and the administrative team who are charged with the implementation of the plan.

Pitfalls of Strategic Planning

How many times has your organization embarked on a strategic planning process, only to build a plan that ends up on the shelf? If your organization is like many others, it's because they have failed to avoid the major pitfalls of strategic planning. The main pitfall of planning is falling into the delusion that planning can

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Employing Foreign Nationals

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Employing Foreign Nationals
Can non-U.S. teachers get employment in American private schools? The answer is "No" in 99.9% of cases.

This article is for the hundreds of foreign nationals who seek employment in American private schools each year. Be aware that most American private schools will hire a foreign national only if he or she has an H-1B Visa a J-1 Visa, or a Green Card (officially known as the Permanent Resident Card).

Let's review the types of visas available to a foreign national seeking to teach in the U.S.A.

H-1B Visas

The H-1B visa class is a viable option for primary, secondary or college teachers with the required knowledge and training, especially during times of national teacher shortages. H-1B visa offers foreign professionals the ability to work temporarily in the United States as long as they hold specialty occupations. For an H-1B visa for teachers, the exact requirements and eligibility conditions are noted below. Source: USCIS

H-1B visas are used for specialty employment situations, such as teaching and other skilled professionals. There are several ways you can navigate the labyrinth of requirements, forms, and fees required to submit your application. One way to do it is to apply yourself. This works only if you are an immigration lawyer because the rules, regulations, and application forms can be confusing for a foreign national.

H-1B visas are capped at 65,000 each fiscal year beginning on October 1. This class of visa is very competitive and uncertain. It also takes six to eight months for the entire process to play out. Only registered employers

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Classical Christian Schools

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Classical Christian Schools
Discover the origins and teaching approach of Classical Christian Schools, a modern educational movement rooted in the revival of classical education and a distinctly Christian worldview. This article explores the three-part division of learning known as the trivium, which includes the grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages, highlighting the integration of biblical teachings and Christian principles throughout the curriculum. Dive into the rich heritage of Classical Christian Schools and learn how they aim to nurture well-educated students who are deeply grounded in their faith, equipped to engage with the world thoughtfully and confidently.

Christian schools as a genre have been around since the 1950s. Recently a subset of Christian schools known as classical Christian schools has become popular. This seems to have come about because standards in public education have steadily fallen. Many parents simply will not tolerate shoddy disciplinary standards, sloppy dress codes, violence in our schools, and underachievement and low expectations. As a result, they start their own schools.

Background

Classical Christian Schools trace their origins back to the revival of classical education in the late 20th century, particularly influenced by the works of scholars like Dorothy Sayers and Douglas Wilson. These schools seek to combine the rich heritage of classical education with a distinctly Christian worldview. The approach used in Classical Christian Schools is centered around the trivium, a three-part division of learning that includes the grammar stage, the logic stage, and the rhetoric stage. In the grammar stage, students focus on the foundational knowledge and facts of various subjects. The logic stage emphasizes critical thinking skills and logical reasoning, while the rhetoric stage focuses on effective communication and persuasive expression. Throughout all stages, the integration of Christian faith and principles is a guiding principle, with biblical teachings woven into the curriculum and classroom discussions. The goal is to cultivate students who are not only well-educated but also deeply grounded in their faith, equipped to engage with the world thoughtfully and confidently.

A classical Christian school proclaims Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It also adheres to the

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10 Misconceptions About Private Schools

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10 Misconceptions About Private Schools
There are a lot of misconceptions about private schools. This is probably because private schools are indeed private.

There are a lot of misconceptions about private schools. This is probably because private schools are indeed private. But unfortunately, it has more to do with the reality that many journalists do not understand private schools. On a couple of occasions when I have been interviewed about private schools, the interviewers asked very pointed questions designed to support their preconceived notions that private schools were only for rich kids or kids with issues. They were always surprised when I refuted those kinds of leading questions with facts. With that experience in mind here are some common myths together with the reasons why they are simply that: myths.

Myth #10: Private school teachers make less than public school teachers.

Not true. This might have been the case years ago. Private school teachers are not unionized. However, they do enjoy some perks public school teachers do not have such as housing, meals, and reduced or free tuition for their children. But, as a rule, compensation is about the same in both sectors. The real disparity seems to occur within private schools themselves. For example, most parochial or religious schools tend to offer compensation which is on the low end of the scale. This video discusses some of the things schools like to see in your application file.

Administrators are not unionized either. Deans, admissions directors, development directors, business officers, and heads of school are generally paid competitively. You can research the facts by examining not-for-profit schools' Form 990 which has

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Borrowing to Pay for Private School

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Borrowing to Pay for Private School
Borrowing money to pay for your child's private school is one of several options you have.

Whether you are a parent looking to send your child to a private K-12 school or your child is currently enrolled in one, you are probably exploring your options for how to pay for tuition and the other costs associated with a K-12 school. The following information will guide you as you consider the many loan program options available to help you pay for your child's private education.

Tuition Planning

Advanced planning is your best option for financing a private school education. The first step in planning for education financing is to contact the admissions or business office at your child's current or prospective school. The financial aid officers at the school can help you learn about available financing options. Waiting until the last minute is never a good idea regarding financial matters. By starting your research early, you give yourself time to plan to pay for this major expense on the best terms possible.

Today a large number of private school students receive financial aid. Many schools offer financial aid through merit awards and need-based scholarships. Based on eligibility, these awards can help make private school education more affordable. Financial aid grants may cover a significant portion of your child's tuition, depending on the school and eligibility. Knowing what a potential award might be helps you plan your borrowing.

About Private School Student Loans

In addition to scholarships and grants, there is another valuable resource to help you pay for your child's education, particularly when grants and

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