Peter Baron's Linkedin Analytics

Most school leaders inherit an operating model they never learned to question. The budget. The meeting formats. The org chart. The tuition strategy. All passed down, rarely reimagined. We don’t go deep enough in preparing future leaders for the business of running a school. That’s why I built this framework. These eight business competencies are the foundation behind MoonshotOS. They’re what every independent school leader needs to understand... not just heads but anyone aspiring to lead. I hope you can use them to direct your learning to help you today and down the road. #independentschools #schoolleadership #aspiringleaders #moonshotos

Imagine being able to hand your younger self a book, the one you wish you had when you were starting out in your career. That’s the spirit behind Brendan Schneider’s new book, School Marketing the Right Way. Brendan, CEO of SchneiderB Media Inc. Media, has spent nearly three decades working in and alongside schools. Over the years, he’s seen the same marketing challenges come up repeatedly and decided it was time to put everything he’s learned into one place. The result is a book that’s part strategy, part practical how-to—and entirely focused on helping schools build the marketing systems they need to standout in a competitive market. Brendan joined me on the latest Independent School Moonshot podcast episode, What Every School Leader Should Know About Strategic Marketing. We talked about what actually works when it comes to marketing schools and where so many leaders get stuck. In our conversation, we talk about: – the common confusion between marketing and communications – how schools get hiring wrong (and how to fix it) – why social media gets too much attention – and how to start small, measure what matters, and build from there If you’re a head, enrollment leader, or marcom professional trying to sharpen your school’s approach, this one’s for you. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/ggjZ25dz #independentschools #schoolmarketing #leadershipdevelopment #moonshotos #enrollmentmanagement

Thanks for having me on the show, Aubrey Bursch and Tara Claeys. It’s always an honor!

Seth Odell from Kanahoma shared 13 ways to grow enrollment in higher ed over on Substack, and there’s plenty there for independent schools too. https://lnkd.in/gnzTbAq7 #13 really hit home: “Get Ruthless with Prioritization.” I talk about this often with school leaders. If everything’s a priority, nothing is. It’s so important to maintain focus and avoid shiny object syndrome. #independentschools #schoolleadership #enrollment #strategy #marketing

This was such a fun conversation. Thank you for the oppportunity, Tara Claeys and Aubrey Bursch!

Thanks for having me on the show!

Schools pour time, energy, and resources into strategic plans with every intention of executing at a high level. But the urgency of the day-to-day can pull teams off track fast. That’s why I created the School Operating System (SOS), a practical framework that helps leadership teams stay focused, aligned, and accountable so your strategic plan turns into real progress. It bridges the gap between big ideas and daily execution. I hosted a webinar yesterday walking through what an SOS is and how it works. It’s now available on demand. 📺 Catch the full recording here → https://lnkd.in/g-UEW7wV In the session, I cover: • How to execute your plan with real traction • What it takes to run meetings that move work forward • Ways to create alignment and accountability across your team • How to track progress—without adding more to your plate Would love to hear what resonates or how this might apply at your school.

Being a head of school might be one of the most challenging leadership roles out there. You’re expected to set the vision, manage finances, support your team, engage the board, and respond to the needs of a constantly evolving school community, all while juggling more priorities than most roles ever require. I sat down with John Farber of Resource Group 175 for a wide-ranging conversation about what it takes to lead a school today. John has helped more than 40 schools find their next head and brings a clear, honest perspective on what boards are looking for and where leaders need support. In this episode, we talk about: • Why the relationship with the board is everything • What “business acumen” means in the context of school leadership • The gaps that still exist in leadership training • How aspiring leaders can build the skills schools need most Whether you’re a current or aspiring school leader or working closely with someone who is, this episode is worth a listen. Thanks to RG175 for sponsoring the show. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eG2CzBrX #independentschools #schoolleadership #moonshotos #aspiringleaders #boardgovernance

If you can’t execute your strategic plan, your vision doesn’t matter. Most schools have big ideas. The problem is turning them into action. It’s not about working harder. It’s about building the best structure. Even the best strategy will stall without an operating system that sets the right meeting schedules, progress check-ins, and accountability practices. Vision without execution is just wishful thinking. Execution without vision is just spinning your wheels. You need both. A School Operating System gives your team the foundation to make real progress, not just talk about it. If you’re serious about moving forward, it’s time to ask the hard question: Are we better at dreaming or doing? #MoonshotOS #IndependentSchools #SchoolLeadership #StrategicPlanning

How to increase your strategic leadership skills as an aspiring head of school: • Ask more “why” questions • Engage more with financial data • Practice more cross-functional collaboration • Stress-test more ideas with your team If you’re aiming for headship, you need to be fluent in how schools operate, not just educationally but financially and strategically.

Strategic plans are often ambitious, and with good reason. Schools want to grow, stay relevant, and meet the evolving needs of their communities. That kind of ambition is healthy. But when everything feels urgent, it’s easy to lose traction. The plan gets crowded. Priorities compete. And eventually, the work stalls. The most effective plans don’t try to do everything. They help schools clarify what matters most — and do the hard work of deciding what can be left behind. That process takes honesty. It takes courage. And it takes a shared commitment to focus not just on what’s possible, but on what’s essential. This isn’t about cutting back. It’s about aligning your energy with your purpose so the work that matters has room to succeed. That’s what real strategy makes possible.

It so often comes down to execution. #schooloperatingsystem

Dr. Brett Jacobsen shared the recent CFO Pulse Survey heatmap from SAIS - Serving and Accrediting Independent Schools, and it immediately caught my attention. It breaks down financial risks by school size, and the patterns are worth a closer look. At first glance, you might assume the usual story. Smaller schools are feeling the crunch from enrollment and rising costs. Larger schools are more insulated. But the data tells a more nuanced story. Here’s what stood out: • 74% of the largest schools (1200+ students) cited faculty retention and recruitment as their top financial risk. • The smallest schools (under 100 students) flagged rising operational costs as their biggest concerns. • Small to mid-sized schools (201–300 students) showed the highest concern about enrollment fluctuations. This isn’t just a list of problems. It’s a reminder that financial risk is deeply contextual. Each school size presents a different strategic challenge. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are patterns that can help leaders prioritize. Larger schools might benefit from digging into what’s driving faculty turnover. Mid-sized schools may want to focus on enrollment forecasting and staffing flexibility Smaller schools might need to sharpen their value proposition and test different tuition models If you’re a head of school, an aspiring leader, or a board member, this heatmap is a great starting point for a deeper conversation.

This was a good week. Welcomed new folks into Moonshot Lab. Always gratifying to see the community grow. Hit six weeks post-ankle surgery and officially out of the boot (yah!). And heading into a quiet weekend before a busy stretch with two graduations. I appreciate weeks like this. Happy weekend, everyone!

The week’s almost done. If you’re like most school leaders I talk to, this time of year is packed. You’re closing out the year celebrating students, planning, managing transitions, and still finding time to show up for your community. So, if it’s felt like a sprint lately, you’re not alone. Here’s your reminder: • You don’t need to have it all figured out. • Progress beats perfection. • Rest is part of the work. Keep going. You’re doing meaningful, often invisible, work that shapes lives. See you next week. #independentschools #schoolleadership #aspiringleaders #moonshotos

Most independent school boards have an advancement committee. But is that structure serving your school's mission or just maintaining the status quo? In the latest episode of the Independent School Moonshot Podcast (Is It Time to Rethink Advancement at the Board Level?), I talked with Mattingly Messina, founder of Throughline and an advisor at Moonshot Lab, about rethinking advancement at the board level. Here's some of what we covered: • Why organizing boards by function (finance, facilities, development) limits impact • How to embed philanthropy across every committee, not just the fundraising one • Why we need to stop apologizing for fundraising and start leading with clarity If you're a head of school, an aspiring leader, or a trustee, this is worth a listen. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gRcpPtpg. You can also find it on your favorite podcast app (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more). Thanks to RG175 for sponsoring this episode of the podcast!

I built Think Like a Head of School because too many aspiring leaders are left to figure out the business side of school on their own. The course is a free six-part email series that introduces the financial, strategic, and operational skills every school leader needs but most were never taught. Reading the testimonials from those who’ve taken the course means so much to me. Their words are a reminder that the time and energy behind this work matters. It’s clear the next generation of leaders is ready to grow. If you’ve taken the course and found it helpful, thank you. Truly. If you haven’t yet, you can check it out here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g6UcGMQ6 #independentschools #schoolleadership #aspiringleaders #moonshotos

I really appreciate Brendan Schneider’s vulnerability in sharing his story. What stood out to me: no career path is linear. Embracing adaptability isn’t optional. It’s essential. Worth your time:

Really excited about the next few episodes of the Independent School Moonshot Podcast. It’s a terrific lineup. Susan R. Perry, PhD, MSW, LCSW joins me to talk about leadership growth and how to be intentional about your development. Mattingly Messina breaks down the connection between successful fundraising and strong board governance. And Julie Faulstich shares why learning to say no is one of the most powerful tools a leader can use effectively. If you work in or around independent schools, these conversations are well worth a listen. Subscribe on your favorite app: Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gx7YPvf7 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gnu2RNhx

Guess who's the guest on next week's episode of the Independent School Moonshot Podcast? Excited to share this conversation with Brendan Schneider about his new book, School Marketing the Right Way.