Services

How I Work with Schools

Program Structure & Capacity Alignment

“Is the program model appropriately sized for the people running it?”

Focus areas:

  • Schedule + workload balance

  • Staffing structure & relational load

  • Volunteer reliance patterns

  • New-program expansion pressure

  • Growth pacing vs operational readiness

Governance & Organizational

“Is the organization being well-stewarded at the leadership level?”

  • Focus areas:

    • Clarity of governance vs operations

    • Board composition, roles, committees, and cadence

    • Strategic direction + decision-making pathways

    • Executive oversight and evaluation practices

    • Financial transparency

    • Mission protection & sustainability mindset

Administration Management

“Are the administrative foundations strong enough to support the work?”

Focus areas:

  • Budgeting practices & cash-flow awareness

  • HR basics (roles, onboarding, documentation)

  • Payroll & contractor processes

  • Data + record systems (SIS, bookkeeping, docs)

  • Internal planning and evaluation rhythms

  • Role clarity across admin support

School Health & Sustainability Review

Ensure your mission outlasts your current challenges.

This diagnostic engagement provides an objective assessment of whether your school’s leadership, governance, and systems are positioned to sustain its mission into the next season and beyond.We look past the daily operations to evaluate the core structures that shape long-term viability in the following four areas.

Communication, Trust & Organizational Culture

“Do people understand what’s happening, why decisions are made, and how they fit in?”

Focus areas:

  • Internal communication pathways

  • Founder → staff → board information flow

  • Conflict patterns + relational strain

  • Decision transparency & rationale sharing

  • Culture of trust vs burnout / crisis mode

The Outcome: A comprehensive summary of strengths, vulnerabilities, and pressure points. You gain a shared language and a clear roadmap for making informed decisions.

The Cost: customizable but ranges from:

$500 to $900 for the Light version (best for younger and smaller programs in their first 2 to 3 years)

$1800 to $2500 for the Comprehensive version (larger and more complex programs)

The Process:

  1. Fill out the Pre-Discovery Call Intake Form

  2. Schedule a free 15 minute Discover Call

  3. Receive and sign Agreement*

  4. Complete detailed questionnaire.

  5. Submit requested documents for review

  6. Schedule 90 minute interview (founder focused. A Board President and/or co-founder interview may also be requested)

  7. Receive summary and recommendations

    The entire process should take 3-4 weeks (Light) or 4-6 weeks (Comprehensive) to complete.

    *Options for review of further documents and/or observation of Board or other meetings also available. Charges will be listed on agreement.

Fill Out the Intake Form

Founder Advisory

Ongoing strategic support

Founder Advisory provides ongoing, relational support for school founders navigating the first year, leadership complexity, board relationships, and institutional growth.

This work often follows a Sustainability Review, allowing advisory conversations to be grounded in a shared understanding of the school’s structures and challenges.

Founder Advisory may include:

  • Strategic decision-making support

  • Navigating board dynamics and governance questions

  • Leadership role clarity and boundary-setting

  • Thinking partnership during seasons of change

This engagement is intentionally limited and customized, but generally includes access to twice monthly or weekly calls, email support, and/or attendance at meetings over a 6 to 12 month period (can be customized to need).

Cost: Start-up and very small programs contact for payment plans

  • $150 to $600/month retainer depending on time

Choosing the Right Starting Point

Usually the Review is the best place to start, but if you are unsure, we can begin with a conversation.

Schedule a Call

Governance & Sustainability Training

For boards and leadership teams

These facilitated trainings help boards and leadership teams develop shared language and understanding around governance responsibilities, roles, finances, meetings, bylaws, and smooth communication.

Training topics may include:

  • Board roles, authority, and fiduciary responsibility

  • Governance vs. operations in founder-led schools

  • Sustainability and Strategy

Training is often most effective:

  • In the first year

  • Following a Sustainability Review

  • During leadership or board transitions

  • When a board seeks clearer alignment and confidence

    Cost: TBD based on needs.

    Two-hour live Zoom basic training with Board President/officers $200.

    Pre-recorded training will be available soon as well.