Resources for Building, Developing, and Maintaining an Effective Board
This newly updated online guide equips trustees with the information, tools, and advice they need to lead independent schools in a changing landscape.
NAIS Resource Guide: Governance and Leadership
The relationship between a head of school and the board of trustees is one of the most important partnerships at a school—and it’s all about strong leadership and creative collaboration. This year, bring even more to the boardroom table. Promote great governance at your school and take advantage of NAIS’s tools, resources, and events designed especially for heads of schools and trustees.
Start Here
Review Best Practices for Independent School Boards and Trustees
These two sets of Principles of Good Practice provide a common perspective on the responsibilities of independent school boards and individual trustees.
Trustee Training Tools
The NAIS Trustee Series offers easy-to-grasp guides for doing the job of trustee the right way, including performing basic duties, fundraising, conducting a head search, leading the board, and more.
Leadership Through Partnership
This foundational governance program provides heads and board chairs dedicated time to build a collaborative relationship, learn about best practices, and explore challenges and opportunities at their school.
Deep Dive
What Are Trustees Seeking When They Join Independent School Boards?
Find out how your school can recruit, engage, and understand trustees more effectively with NAIS’s Jobs-to-Be-Done research.
2023–2024 State of Independent School Governance, Part 1: Board Composition, Membership, Policies, and Practices
Dive in to see how your school compares and uncover valuable data to optimize your governance practices.
Head of School Turnover at Independent Schools
The two parts of this report offer recommendations for identifying and addressing the complex nature of the head-board relationship, solidifying leadership sustainability for years to come.
What Are Boards Searching for When They Hire an Independent School Leader?
How can your board determine what type of leader your school needs now and for the future? Improve the head search process with NAIS’s Jobs-to-Be-Done research.
Key Takeaways for Boards from the 2021 State of Independent School Leadership Survey
This resource distills important findings, data, insights, and tips from the Leadership Survey into a brief, printable booklet to help trustees support their head and lead the school effectively.
Governance Case Studies
This collection features governance issues based on real-life situations, and can be used as part of a well-defined board education program to support effective governance practices.
How Good Governance Policies Help Boards Succeed
Read a Legal Tip and watch an NAIS Trend Report webinar recording on clear, concise, and up-to-date governing documents and policies that help boards function smoothly and provide guidance during crises.
Summer 2023: New Dimensions of Governance
With so much change and having operated in crisis mode for the past few years, this issue takes a fresh look at what good governance looks like today.
Get Insights from Experts on The Trustee Table Podcast
Listen to all the archived episodes from this NAIS podcast to hear first-person perspective for trustees, board chairs, and administrators on critical governance issues.
Building a Healthy Leadership/Governance Ecosystem
If independent schools are to attract strong leaders and trustees in the future, they must create conditions today that nurture healthy head-board relationships.
Additional Resources
Considerations for Leadership Transitions in Independent Schools
Ensuring a smooth head transition requires participation at every level and a thoughtful approach from the board of trustees. Read a Legal Tip and watch an NAIS Trend Report webinar recording for guidance.
NAIS Innovative School Model Showcase: Adaptive Ways to Make Strategy Visible for Heads and Boards
This webinar showcases fresh, adaptive ways of doing governance work to great effect. Get recommendations from school leaders and experts on how to pull these methods into your own governance processes.
Boardroom: Understanding the Parent Trustee Role
It’s critical for boards to ensure that trustee training addresses the duality of this role, offers clear guidance, and maintains boundaries and accountability.
Getting the Board On Board with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work
If diversity and inclusion work resides at the governance level, schools can create accountability and commitment to follow through.
- NAIS Research: 2018 Governance Study: The State of the Head-Board Partnership
- Independent School Magazine: The Hallmarks of a Successful Board Chair
- Independent Ideas Blog: 3 Things to Keep in Mind for a Successful Head Search
- Independent School Magazine: Building Relationships During the Head Search
- Legal Tip: Understand the Legal Landscape When Setting Head of School Compensation
- Independent School Magazine: Maintaining a Strong Board-Head Relationship During a Planned Transition
- Independent School Magazine: Governance & Crisis: The Board's Role
- Independent School Magazine: Boardroom: A Process for Strategic Thinking
- Independent School Magazine: Boardroom: The Board’s Role in a Sexual Misconduct Investigation
- Independent School Magazine: What You Need to Know About Executive Sessions