This school year marks an important moment for The Independent School. After a period of reflection, restructuring, and careful planning, TIS enters the 2025–2026 school year on stronger footing, with a balanced budget, stabilized enrollment, and renewed momentum across our community.

The path to this moment required honesty and thoughtful decision-making. Like schools and families everywhere, TIS has been navigating a broader economic landscape shaped by inflation, rising operational costs, and changing enrollment patterns. These realities created financial pressure that could not be ignored. Rather than delaying difficult conversations, School leadership and the Board of Trustees chose to address them directly, guided by transparency, accountability, and a long-term commitment to sustainability.

Throughout the 2024–2025 school year, we met with parents and families to share information openly, listen carefully, and answer hard questions. These conversations reinforced an essential truth: trust is built through consistency, honesty, and follow-through, especially during periods of change.

As part of this work, and prior to the start of the current school year, the School made the difficult decision to reduce staffing in order to better align operations with enrollment and ensure long-term financial health. These decisions affected valued colleagues who cared deeply for our students and community. We acknowledge their contributions with respect and gratitude.

Importantly, these decisions were made with a clear purpose: to stabilize the School and protect its ability to serve students now and in the future. Because of this work, TIS began the 2025–2026 school year with a balanced budget and is on track to meet it, reflecting disciplined stewardship and shared commitment across the community.

We are also seeing encouraging signs of progress. Enrollment has stabilized, retention has improved, and early indicators suggest growing confidence in the School’s direction. While important work remains ahead, the trajectory today is fundamentally different from where we stood one year ago.

An essential part of this progress is clarity for families. At The Independent School, tuition is intentionally all-inclusive. It covers academic programming, instructional materials and supplies, field trips, and the student support services students need during the school day. Unlike many schools that charge additional fees for enrichment, literacy support, or classroom materials, our approach minimizes surprises and allows families to plan with confidence. When we say “this is what you pay,” we mean it.

This work is guided by the Vision Statement adopted by the Board of Trustees:
A community where students are celebrated for their individuality, are known, valued, and supported, and are empowered to achieve academic excellence.

As we look ahead, continuity in leadership further strengthens this moment of stability. With Jessica Stong stepping into the role of Head of School in July, the School benefits from leadership deeply rooted in the TIS community and aligned with its values. Continued consistency at the Board level reinforces transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.

The story of this period is not one of ease, but of resilience and shared responsibility. Today, the foundation beneath us is stronger, the vision before us is clear, and the path forward is grounded in trust, transparency, and a deep commitment to students.

Together, we are building a strong and sustainable future for The Independent School.

State of The Independent School: At a Glance

The Challenge
The 2024–2025 school year required thoughtful reassessment as economic pressures and enrollment shifts affected the School’s financial model. Difficult but necessary decisions were made to ensure long-term sustainability.

Our Response
School leadership and the Board of Trustees engaged families through open dialogue, answered hard questions, and focused on disciplined, long-term planning rather than short-term fixes.

Where We Are Today
The 2025–2026 school year began with a balanced budget. Enrollment has stabilized, retention has improved, and early indicators point to renewed momentum and confidence.

What Guides Us
Our Vision centers on students being known, valued, supported, and empowered to achieve academic excellence. This vision anchors strategic planning, budgeting, and the student experience.

Looking Ahead
The focus remains on stability, sustainability, and growth. Transparent communication will continue, investments will prioritize people and programs, and every decision will center on students and their learning.