OUR WORK WITH INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

Together, we’ll ensure your school is not just prepared for the future but thriving within it.

At Giant Steps, we are proud to serve as trusted partners to independent schools, helping our clients navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and create lasting impact for their students and communities.

We recognize that every independent school is a unique tapestry of values, traditions, and aspirations. Our mission is to work closely with your leadership to honor and elevate your school’s distinctive identity while empowering you to achieve your most ambitious goals. With deep expertise as education executives, teachers, trustees, consultants, and parents, we bring a multifaceted perspective to every collaboration.

Our work is always student-centered, keeping the needs and experiences of students at the heart of everything we do. At the same time, we consider the vital roles of all stakeholders—faculty, staff, administrators, board members, parents, and alumni—ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to your school’s success.

Library with desks and a window looking on to trees
University campus buildings
Student walking between bookshelves in a library
Three people gathered around a laptop pointing to the screen

Our Services Include:

Strategic Planning and Advising

We guide schools through  strategic planning processes that are both customized and collaborative. Working closely with all stakeholders, we help define a shared vision for the future and craft actionable strategies that align with your core values and mission. Our inclusive approach fosters buy-in from across your school community, building momentum for sustained success.

Cultural Audits and Assessments

Using a blend of quantitative and qualitative methods, we conduct in-depth cultural audits that uncover your school’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities. From these insights, we provide tailored and actionable recommendations to address staff and student belonging, improve recruitment and retention, foster equity, and create a more inclusive environment that resonates with every member of your school community.

Community Building Initiatives

We believe that a thriving school is built on the foundation of a strong, connected community. Our initiatives are designed to unite students, parents, faculty, staff, and school leadership, facilitating open dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared purpose. By strengthening these connections, we help cultivate a culture of trust, collaboration, and belonging.

Professional Development and Executive Coaching

Our approach to inclusion goes beyond diagnostics to deliver actionable and sustainable solutions.  Through customized workshops and executive coaching, we equip staff and leadership with the tools and skills needed to advance meaningful inclusion and belonging practices and strategies.

Board Development and Governance Support

Effective boards are critical to the success of independent schools. We offer customized workshops and advisory services to help boards enhance governance practices, build strategic alignment with school leadership, and maximize their contributions. For schools with parent or alumni trustees, we provide specialized guidance to balance personal investment with fiduciary responsibility.

CONNECT WITH
GIANT STEPS:

Partner with us to navigate the complexities of school management and community engagement. Together, we can cultivate a vibrant, connected, and forward-focused educational environment that caters to both today’s and tomorrow’s students.