Think Like a Head of School

A free, six-lesson email course from MoonshotOS, offering a practical introduction to the financial, strategic, and management fundamentals every aspiring school leader needs. Drawing on insights from interviews with over 100 heads of school, this course is designed to help you start building the essential skills for independent school leadership and experience what Moonshot Lab is all about.

Develop the Skills to Step into a Head of School Role

Enroll now to cultivate the essential business and management skills every aspiring Head of School needs to succeed.

Develop the Mindset of a Head of School

This free course is designed for aspiring school leaders who want to understand and develop the critical skills needed to manage the business side of independent schools.

Over a series of focused lessons developed after interviewing more than 100 heads of school, you’ll explore strategic decision-making, managing talent, developing an entrepreneurial mindset, and cultivating financial acumen to ensure long-term school financial sustainability.

Course Overview:
Six Building Blocks to Becoming a Head of School

Lesson 1:
Key Stressors

Understand the market and financial challenges independent schools face today.

Lesson 2:
Strategy

Rethink your approach to strategy and protect your school’s competitive advantage. Learn how to make tough choices, focus resources on what matters, and align your strategy with your vision and mission.

Lesson 3:
Talent Management

Discover best practices for recruiting and retaining top talent. Understand how a talent development model can benefit your school.

Lesson 4:
Financial Acumen

Identify the critical financial skills needed for headship and prioritize your approach to developing a keen financial acumen.

Lesson 5:
Entrepreneurial Mindset

Cultivate your inner entrepreneur to fuel school growth. Plus, get an Entrepreneurial Skills Development Checklist to help you identify new opportunities and drive school growth.

Lesson 6:
Recap & Next Steps

Review your learnings and plan your next steps as an aspiring leader.

Ready to Take the Next Step as an Aspiring Leader?

Sign up for our free six-lesson email course, “Think Like a Head of School,” and start developing the essential financial, strategic, and management skills needed to lead an independent school. It's a great way to preview Moonshot Lab at no cost!

Each lesson is designed to be actionable and insightful, helping you build the foundation for effectively managing the business side of running an independent school.

What's Included:

Practical business management insights distilled from interviews with over 100 heads of school.

Actionable strategies to enhance your business management skills.

Six-course lessons delivered via email, one each day over six days.

A course certificate upon completion.

Discover What Industry Experts Say About Grasping the Business Side of Running a School

"SAAS's origin is scrappy start-up - that's in our DNA. In early years, an entrepreneurial mindset was fundamental to surviving. Now, an entrepreneurial mindset is core to agility and success means incorporating that mindset into program innovation, hiring, community partnerships, enrollment strategies - all of it. And as leaders come out of SAAS and move into headship, they're demonstrating an ability to nimbly apply and evolve that mindset in ways that help their schools adapt and thrive."

Rob Phillips
Head of School
Seattle Academy

"As aspiring heads of school, it's essential to develop strong business skills to handle the complexities of school management effectively. At St. Anne's-Belfield School, we've learned that a solid grasp of finance, strategy, and data-driven decisions is key to sustaining and advancing a school's mission. I encourage all aspiring leaders to build these skills early on, as they are vital for leading confidently and clearly."

Dr. Autumn A. Graves
Head of School
St. Anne's-Belfield School

"School leadership requires entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship. Learning how to run an organization takes systems-thinking, data-driven, relationship-building competencies, and, of course, fearless confidence in people and strong stewardship of resources."

Kristy Lundstrom

Head of School
Mount Vernon School

"The role of Head of School has drastically evolved over the last decade. Gone are the days of being a master teacher. Everyday I am called upon to think and plan strategically to ensure my organization stays ahead of the curve in our ultra-competitive market. Entrepreneurial thinking, data-driven decisions, and mission alignment are just a few of the critical skills I utilize on a daily basis."

Kevin Folan
Head of School
Providence Country Day School

"As head of school, it’s essential to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset. It’s not just about managing daily operations—it’s about spotting new opportunities and taking strategic steps to strengthen your school’s position in the market. For aspiring leaders, developing this skill is critical to long-term success."

Dr. Dennis G. Chapman

Head of School
The Village School of Naples

Ready to Learn the Business Side of Independent Schools?

Enroll in our free course to gain the critical financial and strategic skills every future head of school needs.

Meet Your Instructor

Peter Baron, Founder, MoonshotOS

Peter Baron, founder of MoonshotOS, is a passionate advocate for independent schools and empowering aspiring heads of school. With extensive experience in the sector, Peter delivers practical insights and proven strategies to help you lead confidently.

This course distills invaluable learnings from interviews with over 100 school heads on the financial side of school leadership into actionable guidance.

FAQs

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for aspiring school leaders and new heads of school who want to develop the financial, strategic, and management skills essential for running an independent school.

How long does the course take?

The course consists of an introduction and six lessons, delivered via email over two weeks, with each lesson taking 15-30 minutes to read and complete the associated homework.

What will I learn in this course?

You’ll be introduced to key skills in financial acumen, talent management, strategic thinking, and developing an entrepreneurial mindset, all crucial for effective school leadership.

Do I need any prior experience to take this course?

No prior experience is required. The course is designed to introduce you to these essential skills, whether you’re currently in a leadership role or aspiring to be.

Is there any cost to enroll?

No, the course is completely free of charge.

Will I receive a certificate after completing the course?

Yes, you’ll receive a course certificate upon completion.

Can I join Moonshot Lab after finishing the course?

Absolutely! If you find the course valuable, you’re a great fit for Moonshot Lab, where you can continue your learning and connect with a community of like-minded leaders.

What if I have more questions after completing the course?

You can schedule a 30-minute advisory call with Peter Baron to discuss how Moonshot Lab can support your ongoing leadership development.