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In 1993, a small group of the larger independent coeducational day schools engaged Benchmark Research to design and coordinate a collaborative initiative (JRPO - Joint Research and Planning Office) serving shared research and planning needs at reasonable costs for participating schools. Since then, this consortium has grown to include 50 institutions while three other groups of independent schools have established and developed similar projects.
Collaborative Benchmark Projects
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The Elementary Schools Research Collaborative (ESRC) serves selected research, planning, and information needs of its member institutions. The goals of the collaborative are to:
- provide an annual report on structure, operations and performance for each participating institution with comparisons based on a nation-wide peer group of NAIS-member elementary day schools enrolling 400+ students
- support exploration of current practices and potential innovations in aspects of program, planning, organization and structure, undertaking a special inquiry into a selected topic each year
- eventually support a public relations initiative to develop and “market” the case for elementary schools (with the likely involvement of appropriate consulting expertise)
Services
Comparative Data
The project provides an annual report designed for trustees and administrators involved in planning, management and policy development. Using a ratio analysis approach and adjusting for regional variations in cost of living, the reports facilitate benchmarking by reference to a nation-wide group of independent coeducational elementary day schools enrolling approximately 400 or more students. Member schools submit data for inclusion in this analysis during August and September. Benchmark Research offers support services facilitating schools’ fulfillment of their reporting obligations to NAIS Stats On-Line (except Part 1 “Early Bird”).
Annual Meeting on Research and Planning Issues
An annual meeting, normally 1½ days in April, attended by school teams consisting of the Head plus one or more senior administrative colleagues, offers an opportunity to review and learn from implications of the data analysis and from qualitative exploration of selected issues in program, planning, organization and structure in a collegial context.
Special Reports
In response to requests from individual schools, special reports can provide information from the project’s database that is not normally included in the annual report. Special reports are often available at no additional cost. Occasionally, the scope of a request may necessitate a fee.
List Serve
A private e-mail discussion group facilitates professional exchanges between administrators at member schools.
Consulting
Consulting support at special rates for participating schools.
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ESRC Member Schools
- Duke School for Children, NC
- Episcopal Day School, GA
- Far Hills Country Day School, NJ
- Grace-Saint Luke’s Episcopal School, TN
- Graland Country Day School, CO
- Greenwich Country Day School, CT
- Harbor Day School, CA
- Lake Forest Country Day School, IL
- The Lexington School, KY
- Marin Country Day School, CA
- New Canaan Country School, CT
- Norwood School, MD
- Old Trail School, OH
- The Park School, MA
- The Pike School, MA
- Rippowam-Cisqua School, NY
- Rodeph Sholom School, NY
- Rumson Country Day School, NJ
- Saint Martin’s Episcopal school, GA
- Shady Hill School, MA
- Shore Country Day school, MA
- St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School, DC
- The Summit School, NC
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