Pierre Evans’ Post

Drew School (High School in SF) was described by students and administrators today on our counselor tour as a “hidden gem.” The question is why? The school recently shared a satisfaction survey of families revealing near perfect scores (97% -100%!) in areas from “challenge of the curriculum,” to “quality of teachers,” to “college placement.” It is also right on the 1 California bus line and smack in the middle of Pacific Heights. So, Drew is definitely not hidden, but it is ABSOLUTELY a gem! We met with the new amazing Head of School, encountered electric energy and heard from multiple senior leaders who are taking six rigorous honors classes, displaying no signs of stress or overwhelm. It doesn't end with incredible academics, administrators and teachers. Given the size and the philosophy of centering on teens, leadership opportunities abound and in a refreshing example of this, 80% of the information we received today was from “the source” - the students. Over ten busy teens took an hour with us to share their breadth of experience and outright love affair with their high school years at Drew.  If you want your 8th grader to have a rigorous high school experience that doesn’t burn them out by senior year, it would be a huge missed opportunity not to consider this school. A "hidden gem"? Maybe now, but not for long. www.drewschool.org

For the 3rd year in a row, parent-school communication has made it into the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) State of EdTech District Leadership report as a technology priority. According to the report, over the past two years, 73% of districts made changes to their parental engagement practices by increasing the frequency of communications and expanding the number of communication channels they use. 24% provide more detailed information regarding student performance 23% provide more opportunities for two-way parent/teacher conversations 21% provide more detailed information regarding student performance

The Principal Impact Collaborative principals innovate through the Design Thinking Process, a method that solves complex problems by drawing on empathy to develop solutions that benefit those most affected. Through design thinking training, PIC principals learn to use logic, imagination, intuition, and systemic reasoning to explore more inclusive and innovative outcomes for their schools. Learn more about the PIC approach and how we’re transforming North Texas school leadership: https://lnkd.in/gDjiRVv9 #LeadershipDevelopment #NorthTexasPrincipals #NorthTexasSuperintendents #DISD #EdLeadership #Education #PrincipalLeadership #K12Principals

🌟 Celebrating National Principals Month! 🌟 During October, we take time to honor the incredible impact current and past principals have on our schools and communities. Being a great principal goes beyond the title—it's about fostering growth, ensuring student achievement, and creating an inclusive, thriving environment for all. 🔑 Signs You’re a Great Principal: ✅ Student-Centered: Every decision you make puts students first. ✅Empower Staff: You trust and uplift your team, helping them grow as educators and leaders. ✅Leads with Vision: You communicate a clear vision for success and guide your school toward achieving it. ✅Resilient Problem-Solver: Challenges fuel your drive to innovate and find solutions. ✅Culturally Competent: You foster a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming school culture. ✅Visible and Approachable: Students, staff, and families see you as a constant, caring presence. Let’s celebrate principals who are guiding schools to greatness, one student at a time! 🙌 #PrincipalLeadershipMonth #SchoolLeadership #GreatPrincipals #edleaders #edleadership

Join me in Nashville, TN from July 9th to 12th for an unmissable event: the 2024 Making Schools Work Conference. I'm excited to share my expertise in two impactful sessions designed to empower educators like you. Session 1: Strategic Moves: Chess in the Urban Classroom Discover innovative strategies for integrating chess into the urban classroom setting. Learn how this ancient game can unlock students' critical thinking skills, boost problem-solving abilities, and foster a love for strategic thinking. Walk away with practical ideas and resources to engage your students and enhance their academic growth. Session 2: Elevating Leadership in the Digital Age In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, effective leadership is more crucial than ever. Join me as we explore strategies for elevating your leadership skills in the digital age. From maximizing your online presence to refining your communication cadence, discover how to lead with impact and connect with every generation of learners. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, network with fellow educators, and take your teaching to new heights. See you at the Making Schools Work Conference in Nashville!

Check out how Seattle Academy is leveraging data-driven decisions to prioritize student health and wellbeing! 💡

Our team had a great time participating in the California Charter Schools Association conference last month! Highlighting the transformative power of strategic planning, we delved into Elevate Charter Schools' journey with Executive Director and Founding Principal Ryan Elliott and Third Plateau Senior Associate Katy Lardaro. Session participants gained valuable insights from a compelling strategic planning case study, with practical and applicable takeaways, including... 🔍 Why did Elevate School embark on strategic planning when it did? Persistent strategic questions lingered for years, lacking concrete answers. Caught in day-to-day urgencies, Elevate's leadership craved space to envision the school's future. 🛑 What challenges did Elevate encounter along the way? Balancing great ideas with practical feasibility was key. Adjusting timelines and priorities, and deferring certain initiatives to ensure sustainable progress. 🎯 What did Elevate gain from the process? An external perspective proved invaluable, pinpointing strengths and growth opportunities and bringing a new level of clarity. Strategic visioning enabled Ryan and the team to recognize and leverage all of their unique assets that otherwise may have been taken for granted -- and equipped them with a practical roadmap to guide their future. Our team loved connecting with so many charter school leaders during the conference and witnessing the community's enthusiasm for approaching education through a strategic lens. Thank you for having us! #Education #StrategicPlanning #CharterSchools #LeadershipDevelopment #SocialImpact

Did you tune in to the Michigan Department of Education Student Advisory Council Webinar? ICYMI, we discussed how one state is elevating students’ perspectives around educational policies and practices, while also increasing student leadership skills to work collaboratively with educators in support of inclusive schools: https://lnkd.in/eQhMBWmp

This #NationalSchoolChoiceWeek, we asked some of our Future Leaders Fellows why school choice is important to them. Here's what Michael had to say. #SchoolChoice #SchoolChoiceNow

Again. This is another example of how important having data is in making decisions.