Leadership intelligence
Insights from ISC
Insight · August 17, 2026
What I Wish I Knew When I First Became a Head of School. Part 1. Vision.
One of the first questions a new head of school will often hear is, “what is your vision for the school?” I remember being intimidated by this question when I started my headship eighteen years ago. Without having a clear vision to share I responded to one especially persistent member of the community by boasting that my vision was to make our school “the very best small boarding school in the…
ISC News · July 7, 2026
IndySchool Consultancy Continues National Growth with Two Distinguished Independent School Leaders
IndySchool Consultancy is pleased to announce the addition of Scott Kennedy and Brad Bates as Senior Search Consultants, further strengthening the firm's ability to serve independent schools across the country with exceptional executive search and leadership transition services.
Insight · May 26, 2026
Ten Ways New Heads and Administrators Can Enter Their Community and Set Themselves Up for Success
July is here. Your title is official. But the real work of leadership begins before your first all-school meeting. Tim Viands of IndySchool Consultancy offers ten practitioner-tested strategies for new heads and administrators who want to enter their communities with intention — and build the trust that makes lasting leadership possible.
Insight · April 9, 2026
The Hidden Risks in Leadership Recruitment
In leadership hiring, schools often focus on résumés, interviews, and references. While those matter, the greatest risks in recruitment are often less visible.
Insight · March 11, 2026
Time Is Not Free: The Opportunity Costs Schools Never Calculate in an Internal Search
Internal searches are often framed as work that can be absorbed into existing roles. Heads of School, CFOs, Division Heads, Advancement leaders, and HR staff are expected to layer search responsibilities on top of already full portfolios.
ISC Report · March 3, 2026
The Real Cost of “Doing It Ourselves”: Rethinking Internal Leadership Searches
To help Boards and Heads evaluate their options with greater clarity, IndySchool Consultancy has developed two strategic resources: The Cost of “Doing It Ourselves” Report A data-informed analysis of the financial and operational implications of internal search. The Strategic Exposure Calculator An interactive tool that models reach, candidate flow, and comparative search strategy risk. These…
Insight · January 26, 2026
The Hidden Cost of Skipping Search Readiness
Why rushing to hire often costs schools more than waiting to prepare In independent schools, leadership transitions rarely announce themselves politely. A resignation lands. A timeline compresses. A committee forms. And suddenly, the instinct is clear: post the role, start interviewing, move fast.
ISC Report · January 16, 2026
What the 2026 Leadership Trends Reveal About the Real Risks in Independent School Searches
Independent school leadership searches are becoming more complex not because schools lack candidates, but because the conditions surrounding leadership roles have changed. The 2026 Independent School Leadership Trends Report highlights a market where governance alignment, role sustainability, and institutional readiness increasingly determine search success.
ISC Report · January 16, 2026
Introducing the ISC School Leadership Search Readiness Scorecard
Independent schools are entering an era in which leadership transitions are occurring with greater frequency and significantly higher expectations. Boards and Heads of School are navigating tighter timelines, limited candidate pools, and more complex community dynamics. Yet one constant remains: schools that enter a search well prepared experience smoother processes, stronger candidate alignment,…
ISC News · November 21, 2025
IndySchool Consultancy Announces Three Head of School Appointments
IndySchool Consultancy is honored to share the appointments of three exceptional leaders who will guide their respective schools into exciting new chapters. Each leader embodies the qualities that independent schools need in the years ahead: strategic vision, relational leadership, financial and operational acumen, and an unwavering commitment to student-centered excellence.
ISC News · October 22, 2025
ISC to Lead King School’s Head of Middle School Search
We are honored to partner with King School—a vibrant PreK–12 independent day school in Stamford, Connecticut—on the search for their next Head of Middle School (Grades 6–8). King’s mission of helping students “discover who they are and how they learn” is deeply aligned with ISC’s own commitment to purpose-driven leadership. With an enrollment of approximately 700 students and a strong reputation…
ISC News · October 22, 2025
IndySchool Consultancy to Lead Hebron Academy’s Head of School Search
IndySchool Consultancy (ISC) is proud to partner with Hebron Academy, a distinguished independent boarding and day school in Maine, in its search for the next Head of School, to begin in July 2026. Founded in 1804, Hebron Academy stands among New England’s most historic schools—an institution where tradition and innovation intersect in a close-knit community dedicated to curiosity, character, and…
Insight · September 25, 2025
Leadership Lessons: Why Team Cohesion is the New Strategic Imperative
This piece explores why independent schools must think beyond résumés and credentials when building senior leadership teams, and instead invest intentionally in the culture, trust, and collaborative spirit that enable schools to thrive.
ISC News · September 25, 2025
IndySchool Consultancy to Lead Search for Donoho School’s Next Middle & Upper School Head
IndySchool Consultancy (ISC) is honored to partner with The Donoho School, an independent college-preparatory school in Anniston, Alabama, in the search for its next Middle & Upper School Head. This pivotal role will oversee grades 6–12, shaping the academic and student life experience for Donoho’s older students.
ISC News · September 9, 2025
IndySchool Consultancy Announces Exciting New Retained Searches
At IndySchool Consultancy (ISC), we are honored to partner with schools across the country in identifying, vetting, and securing exceptional leaders who will shape the future of their communities. As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and outreach, we are pleased to share our latest retained searches.
Insight · September 1, 2025
Pain Points in Leadership Searches (and How to Solve Them)
For Heads of School, trustees, and senior administrators, launching a leadership search often feels like stepping into a storm. What begins as a strategic priority quickly becomes a drain on time, energy, and trust across the community. At IndySchool Consultancy, we’ve seen the same frustrations repeated across schools of all sizes — and we’ve built our model to solve them.
Insight · August 11, 2025
September Still Matters
By Chris BrueningsenFor all my years as a Head of School, August was a time of focused urgency. The return of faculty, the hum of classrooms coming back to life, the questions from new parents, the energy of students spilling onto campus. It was the music of a school year beginning. I can still hear it.This year, I'm not finalizing schedules or preparing opening meetings. I'm not walking campus…
ISC News · August 5, 2025
IndySchool Consultancy: Leading the Search for Pulaski Academy's Assistant Head of School for Academics
At IndySchool Consultancy, we are passionate about connecting exceptional leaders with independent schools that are truly shaping the future of education. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas, as we embark on the pivotal search for their next Assistant Head of School for Program, with an anticipated start date of July 2026. This critical…
Insight · August 4, 2025
The Head of School's Job: What Lies Beneath
As a long-time educator and a former Head of School, I've had countless conversations about the role of school leadership. From the outside, the Head of School's job seems clear: leading assemblies, shaking hands at school events, delivering a compelling commencement speech, and being the public face of the institution. However, after decades in the profession, I've come to believe that the Head…
ISC News · July 28, 2025
Leading the Director of Development Search for Harbor Day School
IndySchool Consultancy is honored to collaborate with Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar, California, as they seek their next Director of Development . This is a truly significant leadership opportunity to shape the philanthropic future of one of Orange County's most esteemed independent schools.
Insight · July 23, 2025
Beyond the Agenda: What Every Head of School Needs Their Board to Truly Understand
The partnership between a Head of School and their Board of Trustees is the single most critical relationship for the health and success of an independent school. While Boards are responsible for governance, strategic oversight, and fiduciary duties, a truly effective partnership requires a deeper level of understanding from the Board about the Head's daily realities, challenges, and the nuances…
ISC News · July 18, 2025
IndySchool Consultancy Welcomes Kevin Kunst as Senior Consultant: Expanding Expertise and Capacity
IndySchool Consultancy is thrilled to announce the exciting addition of Kevin Kunst to our team as a Senior Consultant. This strategic appointment significantly strengthens our firm's capabilities, further solidifying our commitment to providing unparalleled leadership search services to independent schools nationwide. Kevin's distinguished career and deep understanding of the independent school…
ISC News · July 16, 2025
IndySchool Consultancy: Leading the Director of Development Search for Santa Catalina School
IndySchool Consultancy is honored to collaborate with Santa Catalina School in Monterey, California, as they seek their next Director of Development. This pivotal leadership position is crucial to advancing the school's mission and ensuring the resources necessary to continue its legacy of excellence.