Case Study:
Doubling Applewild School’s Revenue in Four Years: The Power of Iterative Leadership
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I'm excited to share this case study with Amy Jolly, Head at Applewild School in Fitchburg, MA.
In our 31-minute conversation, Amy shares how she and her team doubled the school's revenue in four years (yes, I wrote DOUBLED!).
You'll learn how she embraced an iterative approach to grow programs, sunset those that weren't working, and create an energy that excites the community about where they are today and where they'll go tomorrow.
Before diving into the interview, here are THREE ways you can engage with it.
1. Watch the video interview. Over the course of our 31-minute conversation, Amy dove deep into how the school embraced a set of key initiatives to double revenue in four years. I HIGHLY recommend watching the entire interview!
2. Use the provided discussion prompts. I crafted five prompts for you to bring to your next team meeting. Set aside 15 minutes to dig into one or two prompts, and let me know how it goes. I want to make sure future prompts are helpful!
3. Read the transcript. If you're a note-taker at heart, dive into the detailed interview transcript and jot down your insights.
I hope you find the interview helpful!
Transcript
Click here to access a view-only copy of the transcript. Select File > Make a copy to save the transcript to your laptop or Google Drive.
Discussion Prompts
Embracing Change: Amy Jolly walked into Applewild during a critical period, facing challenges of deferred maintenance, faculty salaries, and unfunded financial aid. As leaders, how do we approach embracing necessary changes while honoring the history and traditions of our institution?
Evaluating Resources: Amy conducted a market study to understand what resources were available at the school and how best they could be utilized. How can we take a comprehensive look at our assets (both tangible and intangible) to optimize them for the betterment of the school and community?
Financial Sustainability in Education: Amy Jolly emphasizes the financial aspect of decision-making, from reassessing the satellite location to cutting programs like the dining initiative. Discuss the balance between financial sustainability and offering comprehensive educational experiences. How should schools prioritize when making tough financial decisions?
Risk-Taking and Iterative Models in Education: Amy Jolly touched on the importance of taking risks and learning from failures. How can schools encourage a culture where risk-taking is celebrated and seen as an opportunity for growth rather than a potential for failure?
Program Evaluation and Decision Making: Amy Jolly mentioned several changes, from discontinuing Latin to refocusing the satellite location for preschool. Discuss the metrics and considerations schools should employ when evaluating the success and relevancy of their programs. How do schools determine when it's time to sunset a program, expand it, or initiate something new?
Community Communication and Transparency: Amy Jolly communicated the challenges and changes she faced in a transparent manner, especially with the board. Discuss the importance of transparency in educational leadership. How can leaders effectively communicate hard decisions to their community without causing undue panic or backlash?
