Consultancies

ISS OPtimize consultancies tap into a vast network of experienced, subject-matter experts, and resources. The consultancies are designed to uncover underlining operational and educational challenges that prevent progress, efficiency, program effectiveness and excellence. Experienced ISS professionals provide timely assessments and proven solutions to educational or operational issues through virtual and school site consultancies.

Whether accredited or not, schools need an unbiased, non-judgmental review of the most important program in their schools…the educational program. With the ISS Educational Program Audit, you will receive insights and advice to help your school optimize its educational program.

Using ISS’s own audit and success discovery process, your ISS professional consultant will provide you with:

• An analysis of your school curricula and educational performance.
• Insights into strengths and challenges of the teaching and leadership staff.
• School-specific recommendations for immediate and medium-term action.
• Detailed report, slide deck, and presentations for leaders/boards/owners.

The Educational Program Audit includes:

• Preliminary interviews with leadership/board/owners
• Preview of curricula, staff qualifications, and student performance data
• Multi-day virtual or on-site assessment of programs and instruction
• Interviews with staff, leadership and students
• Analysis of program strengths and tips to maximize positive impacts
• Analysis of program challenges, with suggested actions for improvement
• Prioritization of recommendations for immediate and medium-term impact
• Tools to support discussions with leaders and governance of the school
• Full summary report

Timeline: The ISS Educational Audit can be started and completed in as little as one month

School operations are subject expert matter dependent services. Too often they are overlooked until a problem arises. ISS experts understand the challenges associated with effective school operations and have developed a process to identify and address operations issues before problems arise.

This package is perfect for schools looking to secure operational improvements, financial sustainability, and risk mitigation. Your ISS professional consultant will provide you with:

• An objective, expert review of organizational structure and culture
• Analysis of operational policies and procedures in finance, human resources, and facilities management
• Risk mitigation strategy
• Tools, templates, and support services to assist in improving systems, procedures and processes.

Schools are often looking to expand or improve facilities and having an educational partner who understands schools AND architecture is key. Dr. Yael Cass and Dr. Dick Moore are the ISS Architectural Design experts with backgrounds in both these key areas to assist you to build, renovate, or improve with the educational needs at the top of your build list.

This service is perfect for schools looking to invest in renovating or improving their facilities. Capital investments and construction projects are highly technical and can be risky areas of investment. Get expert advice from ISS professionals first. Avoid common pitfalls that waste money and time and keep you from achieving your vision.

The Architectural Design consultancy includes:

• Assistance with defining and developing the building program
• Recommendations on type(s) of facilities required as per school curriculum and program.
• Detailed building educational specifications (rooms size, number of classrooms, public spaces size and locations, adjacencies, etc.)
• Definition of spaces and formulas, as enumerated in the ISS Architectural Design Guide

Using ISS’s Strategic Planning Process, Tom Hawkins, Greg Smith, and the team at ISS will help you:

• Assess validity and relevance of your school guiding statements and previous plan
• Gather internal and external perceptions of your school’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities
• Develop a set of strategic imperatives and tactical action plans for implementation
• Create an evaluation and realignment process that allows you to own your plan

This audit analyzes both the learning and operational elements of the school’s current strategy. You’ll receive work on four (4) key areas in regards to technology:

• Vision and Leadership
• Infrastructure and Environment
• Community Engagement
• Curriculum and Pedagogy

The ISS Technology Audit includes:

• Review of organizational structure, strategic plan and mission statements
• Analysis of existing strategy and documentation as it relates to technology including infrastructure plans, 1:1 deployments, curriculum documents, AUPs, job descriptions, and learning spaces
• Interviews with the leadership team, technology team, staff, student and parent cohorts
• Prioritized recommendations for immediate and medium-term impact
• Strategies to address areas of need
• Resources, sample documents and exemplars where relevant
• Full summary report and presentation

ISS will develop a comprehensive, presentation quality, multi-year financial plan and slide deck unique to your circumstance that is suitable for direct action and presentation to potential partners/donors/investors. You can also opt into the Business Plan, which is inclusive of the Financial Plan.

• Engage with you to understand the ownership’s vision and the school’s target market
• Collect relevant information and data for preparation of the financial plan
• Produce and deliver a presentation quality written financial plan in Excel format and accompanying PowerPoint format slide deck
• Participate with you and/or designees in meeting/presentation (1) with potential partners, donors, investors, or other related parties as requested

Timeline: OPtimize Financial Planning can be started and completed in as little as one month