As a morning person, I love daylight saving time. In Vermont, that means the sun now rises after 7 am—"early" for this time of year—a welcome change from those 4:30 am summer sunrises.
In the spirit of making the most of your time, we're excited to share a new program designed specifically for schools that need actionable data now but aren't quite ready for a comprehensive market research and messaging overhaul.
Introducing "What's Your Landscape?"
This streamlined program delivers the critical insights you need to make immediate, confident decisions:
Measure the perception gap – Understand how the market actually sees you versus how you see yourself
Identify your competitive advantage – Pinpoint where your strengths align with what families prioritize most during their search
Contextualize your position – See exactly where you stand against your competition
While fully developed messaging strategies take 3-4 months, this first step provides clarity on where to focus your school’s resources for maximum impact—in just 6 weeks.
You'll get clear direction for messaging that resonates and the information you need to make smart resource decisions moving forward.
Ready to see your landscape more clearly? Let's talk.
The best questions come from curious kids in the back seat.
This photo is from 2010, traveling through Costa Rica. From the back seat, we heard "What?" multiple times a day. Eyes wide open, not wanting to miss a thing.
When we passed a "What is What" sign, we had to circle back and capture it. It became our family's inside joke whenever there were lots of questions.
That same spirit of asking "what?," staying curious, not making assumptions, is exactly what independent schools need in their market research approach.
The questions you ask, and how you ask them, should align with what makes schools unique.
The 3 Questions That Make or Break Your Strategic Plan
For all my Doer and Dreamer friends. “Feet on the ground, head in the sky” – Talking Heads.
Whether you’ve just completed a strategic plan or see one in your near future, there are 3 questions that every school should answer to move forward with excitement and confidence.
Can you answer the first question – Who are you, really?Right now. Not who you hope to be in the future or how your alumni remember you, but who are you authentically right now?
What happens when your community gains real clarity about who you are and why it matters?
For Torsie Judkins, Head of School at Wingra School, that clarity has strengthened relationships, deepened trust, and given families the language to share what makes the school special.
In this episode of the Independent School Moonshot Podcast, Simple Is Hard: Finding the Three Things That Define Your School, Torsie joins Barbara Egan of StoryScape to share how Wingra used market research and storytelling to uncover the three things that truly define their school, and how that process is shaping enrollment, culture, and community pride.
Articulate the best of your school in a way that resonates with the people you want to speak with most.
– Barbara and the StoryScape Team
About StoryScape: Refreshing perspective and deep expertise in strategic marketing tailored specifically for private and independent schools. Specializing in market research, compelling messaging, distinctive positioning, word-of-mouth management, and authentic branding.
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