This special episode was recorded live at the VAIS Advancement Institute, where we hosted a panel conversation with three marketing and enrollment leaders from very different school environments. From large boarding schools to small community-focused campuses, each panelist brought a unique lens to what’s working in school marketing—and what’s changing fast.
We covered everything from navigating leadership and board expectations to making the most of limited resources. The conversation surfaced trends, challenges, and simple shifts schools can make right now to better connect with prospective families.
Highlights include: • Where schools are seeing the highest ROI in their marketing • Why families really choose your school • The growing importance of community connection over promotion

109: Overcoming Overwhelm: Mindful Techniques for School Leaders

The Mindful School Marketing podcast discusses topics relevant to independent school administrators and marketers for K-12 independent private schools and camps. The podcast offers a mix of discussions and interviews with professionals both within and outside of the independent school community. We will cover the connection between mindfulness and success at work and at home, and how mindfulness applies to effective independent school marketing and administration. Co-hosts Aubrey Bursch and Tara Claeys conduct casual and meaningful conversations to help their listeners discover new strategies, tactics, ideas and tools for improving their school enrollment and retention, productivity, and overall happiness.