Over the course of my teaching career, I’ve observed a familiar pattern in the education world: A school builds a strong foundation, develops a solid reputation, and then seeks to expand in hopes of replicating its initial success across new campuses. On the surface, everything seems in place: modern facilities, qualified teachers, ample resources. But despite these advantages, the new campuses often fall short of the original school’s achievements.
Why is that?
In most cases, the missing piece is clear: effective and appropriate leadership.
Strong leadership can take a struggling school and turn it into a thriving learning community. But even the best school – when placed in the hands of poor leadership – can quickly lose its momentum and become a shadow of what it once was. Without vision and strategic direction, even the most promising program becomes stagnant.
I’ve seen this unfold firsthand. A well-known international school in a Chinese city gained a reputation for excellence. Its leadership was forward-thinking, hands-on, and committed to the growth of both students and teachers. Their ability to transition students successfully from high school to college was not just celebrated – it became the school’s brand.
However, when this same school opened a branch in another city, things didn’t go as planned. The new campus struggled to gain traction, and the buzz surrounding the original location didn’t carry over. When you peel back the layers, the difference becomes obvious: The leadership in the new location wasn’t cut from the same cloth.
Rather than visionary leaders, the new campus had managers – people who looked good on paper but lacked the capacity to create healthy systems that empower teachers and engage students. These managers focused on surface-level tasks: checking lesson plans, monitoring teacher attendance, and enforcing rules. Meanwhile, the true leaders – the ones who drive long-term growth – are doing much more. They’re investing in teacher development, building school culture, supporting both staff and students, and executing a vision with purpose.
A school’s success hinges not on micromanagement but on leadership that inspires, empowers, and builds systems that can stand the test of time. School growth doesn’t come from polished resumes or bureaucratic checklists – it comes from bold, thoughtful execution of a meaningful vision.
Without real leadership, even the strongest school can find itself starting over – with nothing but a blank canvas.
With over ten years of experience in education, Malcolm Solomon, M. Ed., has worked in diverse classroom settings, from America to China. These experiences have allowed Solomon to adapt and integrate the best practices from both environments, continuously improving his skills as an educator. Throughout his career, he has remained dedicated to fostering strong, positive relationships with students while delivering impactful instruction. His varied roles in the field of education equip him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise to contribute meaningfully to any program.
Check out his book Choosing the Best International School for Your Child where he dives into the world of internaional education in China and how to find the school that’s the perfect fit foir your child.
Images: Malcolm Solomon, Pexels
