Situation
A private K-8 school needed help translating its newly defined mission, vision, and strategic goals into a sustainable financial plan. With a continued commitment to serving its community, the board needed a clear path to a balanced budget—one that would support enrollment growth, academic outcomes, and long-term community impact.
Keenan Reid engaged to build a multi-year financial plan that aligned revenue and cost structures with the school’s long-term goals.
Action
Keenan Reid led a comprehensive financial planning effort with administration and the school board to align tuition, enrollment growth, and cost structures with strategic priorities.
As part of this work, we:
- Reviewed past budgets and spending to understand trends and funding gaps.
- Built a cost-per-student model, breaking down expenses across staff, facilities, and student support.
- Benchmarked tuition rates against similar schools in the area to guide pricing decisions.
- Analyzed local neighborhoods to identify areas with strong enrollment potential to inform growth planning
- Explored new revenue opportunities, including extended care, community partnerships, and fundraising events.
Results
The result was a multi-year financial roadmap that supported mission-aligned growth without overextending resources. The plan included a phased tuition strategy, enrollment targets grounded in community data, and a realistic, diversified revenue forecast. The board unanimously adopted the plan and now uses it to guide annual budgeting, tuition decisions, and enrollment outreach—ensuring the school’s strategic vision is both ambitious and financially achievable.
