Independent School magazine has evolved. We’ve made something great even better. And we want you to be a part of it. We hope you’ll see even more opportunity to contribute and be a part of the Independent School magazine community.
As always, there are themes for feature articles in each issue, but there are also additional avenues to share your expertise, ideas, and experiences. The department descriptions that follow should help serve as a guide for the submission process.
Themes for Feature Articles
Word count for Features: 1,800-2,500 words
Winter 2026: STUDENTS
- Submissions due: CLOSED
- Issue Drops: Early January 2026
Spring 2026: GOVERNANCE
- Submissions Due: December 8, 2025
- Issue Drops: Early April 2026
One constant amid the ever-changing landscape for independent schools is its board of trustees. But as schools become more complex organizations, shaped by rapidly shifting global and societal forces, so too has the work of trustees become more complex. Board work feels different because it is different—trustees today need different mindsets and skills to help their schools navigate the present and guide them into the future with strategic vision and insight, data and transparency. And the need for boards and school leaders to be aligned and ready to do hard things together has never been more apparent. In this issue, we will explore what trusteeship and governance look like today and how boards need to evolve to meet the moment. Some of the big questions we hope to examine include:
- What are some of the biggest issues—legal, financial, philosophical—schools are facing that boards are grappling with most right now? What perennial governance challenges feel especially timely right now? According to heads? Trustees?
- How can a robust board self-assessment process support strategic thinking, accountability, and long-term board development? How—and how often—should a board evaluate itself and its performance? What are the indicators of a high-performing, high-functioning board?
- How are heads and boards partnering through the lens of shared accountability? Working effectively in the realm of operational vs. strategic clarity?
- How has board structure and size changed? How can boards evaluate this holistically? What is the ideal size, structure, and composition for a board? What should schools consider and how frequently should they evaluate this? What about committee work and structure?
- What does a day in the life of a board chair look like? How does term length affect a chair’s ability to serve effectively and make an impact?
- Are there new rules of engagement for parent trustees? How can boards recruit, train, and engage parent trustees in ways that leverage their unique perspective and ensure that governance work is strategic and focused on the long term?
And to really get a good picture of what governance looks like right now, we’re looking for case studies about board work in action. Has your board reinvented itself? Overhauled the evaluation process? Worked through an especially difficult challenge? Shrunk—or grew—in size? Decreased—or increased—the number of parent trustees? Reimagined the recruitment process? We’d love to hear more about how your board is meeting the moment. Submit your case study or board story (perhaps even a reflection from a trustee) to ismag@nais.org.
Summer 2026: HEADSHIP
- Submissions Due: February 5, 2026
- Issue Drops: Mid-June 2026
Fall 2026: ENROLLMENT & ADMISSION
- Submissions Due: April 30, 2026
- Issue Drops: Mid-September 2026
Winter 2027: MID-LEVEL LEADERSHIP
- Submissions Due: August 15, 2026
- Issue Drops: Early January 2027
Departments
School News
Short profiles of independent member school news, programs, awards, and more. School communications directors: Send relevant press releases, and include photos with captions when available.
Word count: each item 200-300 words
News You Can Use
Short items broadly related to education, including new reports, surveys, and studies; new books; new software; and education-in-the-news stories. Press and public relations officers: Send relevant press releases.
Word count: each item 100-150 words
Reading Room
Book reviews—of professional and education-related books as well as for-pleasure reading. Share what you're reading with your colleagues: Did you read a book recently that you want to tell your colleagues about? Tell us about it in a few sentences: why did you like it? What made you want to read it? What was your biggest takeaway? Did you have a favorite line?
Word count: 250-300 words
Research Insights
Articles provide the context and results of important research study and survey results that are useful to independent schools; highlights NAIS research and institutional research from member schools, as well as studies from universities and think tanks. Please note: This is not an outlet for publishing research papers or journal articles; the focus is on interpreting results and providing greater context and insight for independent schools.
Word count: 1,200-1,500 words
Trend Lines
Articles address and report on issues related to the changing education landscape—school models, financial models, admissions, financial aid, wellness, parent relations, legal issues, diversity & inclusion, and teaching & learning. They provide a big-picture view of trends and issues that are or will be impacting independent education.
Word count: 1,200-1,500 words
Leadership Lessons
Designed to inspire current leaders and keep them engaged in their work and to activate and inspire administrators and teachers who may not be in leadership positions—yet—these articles explore many facets of leadership. This department features a mix of leadership issues, theories, and concept writ large, as well as first-person leadership stories and reflections.
Word count: 1,000-1,200 words
Teaching & Learning
Designed to amplify the voices of teachers and teacher-leaders, this department cultivates important ideas, discussion, and perspectives about this critical dimension of the independent school experience. These articles are a mix of reflection, theory, and strategy and present ideas through a big-picture lens.
Word count: 1,200-1,500 words
In Practice
A place for case studies. Articles provide an in-depth look at how an independent school has implemented an idea, theory, program, or practice. Submissions should include background information, a description of the specific approach, insights learned along the way, as well as key takeaways and useful guidance.
Word count: 1,500-1,700 words
Boardroom
The head-trustee relationship is one of the key factors in a school's success. This department, geared for heads and trustees, explores the many facets of this important relationship. Articles focus on key governance issues and are designed to help build and secure productive working relationships.
Word count: 1,300-1,500 words
The Conversation
Designed to capture the essence of a dialogue between school colleagues, this Q&A explores the interconnectedness of relationships in the school community and seeks to break down silos and to get people talking about how their roles and work impact each other. Have you had a conversation recently with someone on campus that changed the way you think and work or led to an unexpected collaboration? Tell us about it. Do you know of—or are you a part of—an exemplary mentor-mentee pair? A great student-teacher duo? We want to hear about it. Send us a brief description, and we’ll follow up.
Independent Spirit
Independent schools are truly unique, as are the passionate people who make up the school community. Designed to capture the essence of independent school life, this essay is a thoughtful reflection on why you chose to work at and be part of the independent school community—essentially, why you love what you do. Maybe you wound up at a school somewhat accidentally or after a long career elsewhere—what was your a-ha moment? Or maybe you grew up in independent schools—why did you decide to stay on? Reflect on and share your journey.
Word count: 300 words
General Writing Guidelines
Independent School is not an academic journal. We do not publish dissertations or other academic papers.
We follow AP style, with a few exceptions (namely, we use the serial comma). We do not include footnotes or endnotes. This information should be incorporated into the text in a journalistic style.
We’re always reviewing and accepting ideas and articles, so feel free to send along any ideas you may have at any time. All articles and ideas, including theme-related submissions that arrive after the posted deadlines, will be considered for future issues. Submit manuscripts (Word or Google document) to ismag@nais.org.
Please note that we generally close out each issue three months prior to publication.
- Fall issue usually closes by May 15
- Winter issue usually closes by August 15
- Spring issue usually closes by October 15
- Summer issue usually closes by January 15
Allow at least two months for a decision. When submitting an article, please indicate whether your article, or any variation, has been published in another publication.
Letters to the Editor
We know you have opinions—and we want to hear from you! Here are some general guidelines for submitting a letter to the editor.
- The maximum length of a letter to the editor is 500 words
- Letters to the editor may be edited for length, clarity, civility, and accuracy; writers may be provided with the edited version before publication.
- We will publish letters that address a specific issue theme or article.
- Letters to the editor must not include material pulled from another source without attribution.
We will not publish material that is:
- Potentially libelous. Libel is any unsubstantiated or untrue statement that damages someone else’s reputation.
- Discriminatory on any grounds. This includes discrimination based on age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or culture.
- Obscene. This includes any statement that is vulgar, profane, or offensive.
- Threatening. This includes personal attacks, intimidation, bullying or threat of harm against a person or organization.
- Copyrighted or printed in another publication. We assume all letters to the editor are original. We can’t print a letter you’ve sent to another publication.
You must provide your full name and location; it will be published alongside your letter. If your letter identifies another person, please ask for their permission before you send your letter to NAIS. For example, if you share a personal experience and mention colleagues, please ask them if you can identify them in your letter. When you submit a letter, we assume that you’ve received consent from other people.
Send all letters to ismag@nais.org.