Building a Culture
Worth Belonging To
A School Culture Transformation Proposal for Saratoga Independent School
Prepared by A.M. Consulting
Assess · Align · Build — one cohesive transformation
Core engagement timeline — with ongoing support available
Phases 1 & 2 — with modular Phase 3 add-ons available
Engagement Structure
A phased approach to building lasting school culture
Phase 1
Culture & Climate Assessment
• Stakeholder interviews & listening sessions
• Climate survey & document review
• Findings & landscape report
Phase 2
Strategic Alignment
• Leadership & board retreat
• Values clarification & priorities
• Culture transformation roadmap
Phase 3
Capacity Building
• Faculty & staff workshops
• Leadership coaching
• Curriculum review & community dialogue
The Engagement Journey
Understand: Deep listening and data gathering reveal the current cultural reality
Decide: Leadership aligns on vision, priorities, and a clear roadmap for action
Build: Modular capacity-building embeds lasting change across the institution
Our Philosophy
Center Joy & Wellness
We employ a human-centered approach. We believe in centering the experiences, knowledge, skills, and mindsets of the communities we serve.
Create a Culture of Learning
We make space for learning through a culture that fosters psychological safety.
Beyond Awareness
We go beyond awareness to shift mindsets and how people work.
Build a Strong Sense of Community
We create opportunities for long-lasting, meaningful relationships to thrive.
Provide Experiential Learning Tools
We design interdisciplinary, experiential learning processes.
Cultivate & Sustain Change Over Time
We recognize that in order to create positive change, we must change the experience of individuals and design systems to sustain change.
Executive Summary
The Opportunity
Since 1991, SIS has built a reputation as a nurturing, academically rigorous community on its 60-acre Adirondack-style campus in Saratoga Springs, NY. With a 4:1 student-teacher ratio, NYSAIS accreditation, and a mission centered on whole-child education — the foundation is strong.
With 11% students of color compared to a 40% state average for private schools, and an active DEI parent-faculty group already in place, SIS has both the readiness and the opportunity to deepen this work with intention. This engagement moves from aspiration to action.
At a Glance
By the Numbers
Choose Your Plan
Flexible Investment Structure:
Start with the Core engagement (Phases 1 & 2), then add à la carte Phase 3 capacity-building components based on your school's priorities and budget. Or select a bundled preset below.
Core Partnership (Phases 1 & 2)
Both phases are always included together as the foundation.
Phase 3 Add-ons
Select any capacity-building components for your school's specific needs.
Building momentum
2/7Breakdown by Component
All figures are estimates. Final investment is determined through a discovery call and customized engagement agreement.
Phase Details
Explore each phase — click to expand deliverables and outputs.
Key Activities & Deliverables
- Leadership interviews (Head of School, trustees, key administrators)
- Listening sessions with key stakeholders (faculty, staff, students, families)
- Policy and document review
- Climate survey and/or qualitative data gathering
- Parent and community input sessions
Output
Culture & Equity Landscape Report
- Key themes across stakeholder groups
- Cultural strengths to build upon
- Cultural tensions requiring attention
- Policy gaps and misalignments
- Strategic recommendations for Phase 2
Transformation & Continuous Improvement
Two complementary lenses: how deep change works, and how the cycle sustains it.
Depth of Change
Lasting transformation requires reaching below surface-level practices to shift the values, mindsets, and cultural frames at the root.
The Improvement Cycle
Each engagement phase moves through this iterative cycle — learning, unpacking assumptions, dreaming possibilities, building solutions, and acting with intention.
altagraciamontilla.comWhy This Work Matters
The transformational outcomes schools like SIS experience when culture work is done right
Whole-Child Focus
Education that honors every student's identity, belonging, and potential
Values Alignment
Closing the gap between the values on the wall and the experience in the hallway
Community Trust
Building genuine belonging — not performative diversity
Sustainable Change
Structural transformation — not a one-time workshop or compliance checklist
Board-Ready Deliverables
Clear, data-grounded outputs that support governance and strategic planning
Proven Methodology
Heart-led, evidence-informed — built on what actually works in independent schools
Return on Investment
This Approach vs. The Alternative
Compliance-Focused Approach
- ×One-time workshop with no follow-through
- ×Generic frameworks not tailored to your school
- ×Reports that sit on shelves instead of driving action
- ×Leadership dependent on outside experts
- ×Performative diversity without structural change
A.M. Consulting Partnership
- →Phased engagement grounded in listening first
- →Co-created strategy — tailored to SIS's unique context
- →Clear deliverables — that inform board decisions
- →Leadership capacity — that outlasts the engagement
- →Structural transformation — not performative change
Impact in Action
“I just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you for the excellent, thoughtful session you put together for our staff retreat yesterday. It was so well done, and I think it was a great way to start bringing this work to all staff.”
“The workshops created a wonderful space for communication to happen. I was blown away with Altagracia's ability to step in and out of a challenging conversation. Altagracia balanced pushing and supporting in a way that kept leaders accountable but not too uncomfortable that they couldn't participate.”
“I've never heard DEI talked about in this way. It usually sounds like a vitamin that you take but you explained it so well and humanized the work.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Reach out to discuss your school's specific context and what this engagement could look like for SIS.
Ready to Build Something Together?
Let's discuss how this partnership can strengthen culture, belonging, and institutional sustainability at SIS.
Next Steps
Select Your Priorities
Use the engagement portal to indicate which focus areas align with your school's current goals.
Go to Portal →Introductory Call
Align on goals, scope, and timeline. Proposed dates: March 10 or March 12.
Engagement Begins
Phase 1 can launch within two weeks of agreement with a full project plan.
Prepared for Saratoga Independent School · April 2026