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Assessment & Audits

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 & Audit Service Leaders to explore the tailored packages we offer.

Athletic departments are a vital part of an independent school’s identity, intertwining academic excellence with athletic pursuits. During our CS&A Athletic Department Assessment, we conduct an in-depth evaluation of the department’s mission, leadership, personnel structure, policies, procedures, resource allocation, and overall operations. Our goal is to uncover the strengths, opportunities, and challenges that the department faces within the broader context of the school culture.

The assessment begins with a thorough review of departmental documentation and statistical data, followed by an on-site visit. During this visit, we engage in interviews with coaches, players, parents, the Athletic Director, and the Head of School. After gathering insights, we provide a comprehensive report detailing our findings and recommendations. This collaborative approach ensures that the athletic program not only thrives but also aligns with the school’s overall mission and values

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Our Team

Meet Our Assessment & Audit Experts

At the heart of our Assessment & Audit 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.

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Carter Abbott

Consultant

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Elyse Waterhouse

Consultant, Coach

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Brandon Jacobs

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

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Scott Nelson

Senior Consultant, Coach

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John Allman

Senior Consultant, Coach

Meet the TeamMeet the Team

our insights

Insights from Our In-House Experts

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The Importance of the Head of School Compensation Benchmarking Process

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

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Interrupting Implicit Bias in the Virtual Hiring Process

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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