Team collaborating around a table with documents and graphs in a bright office setting.

Assessment Services

School Assessment Solutions

Designed to partner with key departments, programs, and initiatives within independent schools to strengthen their overall performance.

SERVICES

We invite you to connect with any of our Assessment Service Leaders to explore the tailored packages we offer.

Carney Sandoe offers Athletics Assessments to help schools take a strategic, comprehensive look at the current state of their athletics programs. Led by Dr. Tim Green, an experienced and certified expert, our assessments examine department operations, policies, facilities, and leadership structures to identify strengths, surface areas for growth, and provide clear, actionable recommendations. Our athletics assessment stands apart for its unparalleled scope and depth. Backed by a one-of-a-kind benchmarking resource, we offer insights no one else in the field can match. We’ve built an extensive and uniquely comprehensive archive of data that empowers us to deliver analysis and recommendations with unmatched precision and relevance.

Each assessment includes an in-depth review of departmental materials, an on-campus visit, and conversations with key stakeholders—including the Head of School, Athletic Director, coaches, student-athletes, and parents. Findings are delivered in a detailed written report that benchmarks your program against peer institutions and outlines short- and long-term guidance for staffing, budgeting, facilities, and strategic planning. We offer continued support following the delivery of our report to ensure your school fully understands the findings and can implement the recommendations effectively. Our follow-up process provides ongoing guidance and accountability as your program develops and evolves.

With our insight and expertise, your school will be well-positioned to strengthen its athletics program and support student-athletes in meaningful, lasting ways.values

Soccer coach giving instructions to a group of young players on a sunny day at the field.

Clearly defined finance and operations policies and procedures as well as sound, comprehensive business office practices are crucial components for the long-term success and sustainability of any independent school. Our finance operations and strategic alignment assessment services identify opportunities to enhance operational effectiveness through detailed evaluations of the department’s personnel structure, job descriptions, internal control measures, financial management policies and procedures, strategic collaborations, challenges, and opportunities. We offer strategic recommendations to strengthen financial, operational, and risk management practices and to assist with clear, concise, timely, and accurate reporting as well as financial sustainability planning.

Business team reviewing financial charts and graphs at a conference table with documents and laptops in a well-lit office.

Robust financial reporting and subsequent strategic financial planning are essential for sound school governance and future sustainability. Our strategic and financial reporting assessments and recommendations assist in the identification of key concepts, performance indicators, and strategic questions and considerations for the various stakeholders. Guidance is provided in the understanding of clear, concise financial reporting and long-range financial planning that support important decision making. These assessments are designed to help school leadership and trustees fulfill their financial stewardship and fiduciary responsibilities with an enhanced understanding of the best practices in finance and operations management, the school’s budgeting process, and its financial model and related drivers.

People in a business meeting around a long table with laptops and coffee cups in a modern office setting.

To truly implement and advance the work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all elements of campus life, schools must collect and assess the current landscape of the community before initiating full plans of action. The DEIB Campus Assessment service is a comprehensive initiative designed to evaluate and enhance your school’s DEIB efforts. Our team conducts a thorough and nuanced assessment of campus policies, practices, and culture, providing valuable insights to drive positive change. The service is tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities within the educational context, promoting an inclusive and equitable environment for all members of the school by soliciting the voice of students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni.

Person smiling and holding a book in a library, with bookshelves in the background.

The Baker Group has spent the past three decades partnering with over 1000 independent school clients to elevate their understanding of enrollment management, while perfecting the art of admission and enrollment leadership. The foundation of our audit practice is based on strengthening a school’s financial sustainability with best practices in admission and enrollment management. School leaders who have worked with The Baker Group have a deeper understanding of the importance of accurate data collection and data management, and an appreciation for the critical role research, assessment and goal setting are to admission and enrollment management planning and success.

As the leading expert in enrollment management, The Baker Group has developed industry standards for how schools address shifting market trends and embrace best practices with both operational approaches and strategic admission and enrollment solutions. Our work has provided school leaders throughout the US and Canada with insights and strategies for how to enhance enrollment and improve sustainability practices by running highly successful independent school admission offices while embracing a school-wide enrollment management mindset.

As the job of an independent school Head of School has become increasingly more complex and demanding, Heads’ compensation has increased significantly both in terms of total dollar amount and variety of compensation options. In this highly competitive market for talent, Carney Sandoe provides independent school Compensation Committees and Boards of Trustees with comparative data from its annual Head of School compensation survey, as well as 990 research and DASL data, all of which provide clarity and confidence that schools are competitive in attracting and keeping top leadership talent, while staying within the bounds of what is reasonable. Our process is both quantitative and qualitative as our consultants, all former Heads with deep knowledge of compensation trends, seek to understand your leader and school needs and provide suggestions for tenure-increasing compensation solutions.

Smiling businessman in suit standing outside a modern office building with people in the background.

In today’s world, schools must be fully prepared to handle the inevitable crises that affect their communities. Effective crisis management requires proactive anticipation and preparation well before challenges arise, as every moment counts in critical situations. CS&A provides a comprehensive evaluation of a school’s crisis readiness, and the steps needed to achieve best practices in this area. We also support school leaders, particularly heads of school and board chairs, in navigating complex and volatile circumstances. The process begins with an internal survey of key leadership to assess current readiness and identify areas for improvement or professional development. Existing crisis plans, if available, are reviewed and incorporated into the assessment. Our team will provide a detailed set of commendations, actionable recommendations, and a strategic plan to strengthen existing preparedness and address any gaps, ensuring the school is well-equipped to handle future challenges.

Modern two-story building with large glass windows surrounded by green landscaping and a clear blue sky.

Our Team

Meet Our Assessment Experts

At the heart of our Assessment Service Practice are seasoned experts who bring deep experience, strategic insight, and a collaborative spirit to every engagement. These leaders understand the unique challenges and opportunities within independent schools and are committed to partnering with key departments, programs, and initiatives to drive meaningful improvement. Their work goes beyond evaluation—they provide schools with actionable insights and customized strategies that strengthen institutional performance and support long-term success. We invite you to connect with our Assessment & Audit Service Leaders to learn how their expertise can help your school thrive.

Man in a suit and tie smiling against a gray background.

Tim Green

Practice Leader, Athletic Practice; Consultant

Woman wearing glasses and a silver necklace with short gray hair, dressed in a white top, against a gray background.

Elyse Waterhouse

Consultant, Coach

Smiling man in a suit, green shirt, plaid tie, against a gray background.

Brandon Jacobs

Practice Leader, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Consulting Practice, Search & Consulting Services

Man in a suit and tie with a gray background.

Scott Nelson

Senior Consultant, Coach

Smiling elderly man with white hair wearing glasses and a blue checkered shirt against a gray background.

John Allman

Senior Consultant, Coach

Smiling person with long brown hair wearing a blue shirt against a plain gray background.

Carter Abbott

Consultant

Meet the TeamMeet the Team

our insights

Insights from Our In-House Experts

Person using a calculator on financial graphs and charts, analyzing data for business strategy.

The Importance of the Head of School Compensation Benchmarking Process

Read Article
Hands of diverse people assembling a large wooden puzzle piece together.

Strengthening the Practice of Enrollment Management: The Importance of Having the Director of Admission/Enrollment Be Part of the Big Table Discussions

Read Article
Illustration of two people in video call windows, one with a blue shirt, communicating via video conferencing.

Interrupting Implicit Bias in the Virtual Hiring Process

Read Article
Smiling woman with curly hair sitting at a table in a classroom, engaging in conversation with blurred figures nearby.Smiling woman with short hair holding a clipboard, standing outside a red brick building with green trees in the background.

Contact Us to Get Started

Our experienced team is here to support your leadership and organizational goals. Contact us to learn more about our coaching and consulting services and how we can help your school thrive.

Contact Us- school inquiring about a high-level search and/or consulting