When independent school business leaders need guidance in perplexing areas of school finance and operations, they turn to NBOA. These short pieces help leaders launch discussions and take informed action. All industry guidance is available FREE to NBOA members and nonmembers may purchase selected publications. For NBOA’s research publications, see the Research Reports page.
Questions? Email publications@nboa.org or call 202-407-7140.
Released: 2026
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Free for members | $195 for nonmembers
With cyber crime on the rise and preschool-grade 12 schools increasingly common targets, independent schools must have up-to-date cyber insurance. This fully updated guide produced by the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS) and NBOA provides independent school business leaders need-to-know information on:
Released: 2025
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Inclusivity and equity are critical to creating a welcoming environment across an independent school — not just in the classroom, but in business operations as well. NBOA’s Operational Equity and Inclusion Inventory helps school leaders assess the inclusivity of operational policies and processes through 13 simple checklists in the areas including:
This interactive PDF, available exclusively from NBOA, allows leaders of each operational department to identify where the school is thriving, where they might improve and next steps for doing so.
Released: 2025
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A not-for-profit school will pay more taxes than you’d think. This comprehensive guidance written by CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) and published by NBOA provides authoritative explanation of:
Released: 2022
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As market conditions and demographics change, more schools are considering merging with or acquiring a neighboring independent school. This guidance is intended to help kickstart conversations regarding:
Leaders from three national firms — LearnCollab, Venable and CliftonLarsonAllen — authored the paper, which is framed by introductory remarks by NBOA President and CEO Jeffrey Shields.
Released: 2019
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Free for members | $75 for nonmembers*
Understanding and maintaining compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws can be a struggle at independent schools, with proper classification and compensation of school employees being particularly thorny. Authored by attorneys at Schwartz Hannum PC, this guidance helps school administrators more easily classify employees who work:
The guidance also covers other roles typical to independent schools but not other workplaces.
Released: 2019
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Free for members | $75 for nonmembers*
* All sales are final. We are unable to issue refunds for print or e-books.
A research report analyzing trends across 18 key financial and operational indicators over five years. Use this report to benchmark performance, stress-test assumptions and make informed decisions, as external forces continue to challenge long-term financial sustainability.
