Welcome!
This pithy course on essential school leadership will prove to be of great benefit and importance to any classical headmaster, administrator, or principal. Veteran head of school Keith Nix leads one of the flagship classical schools in the country–the Veritas School of Richmond, VA. Under Keith’s leadership over eight years, the school has grown from approximately 200 to 600 students and acquired a remarkable campus on some 25 acres. Keith has also built a superb administrative team and faculty. Addition to his work as head of school, Keith is a sought-after consultant who regularly advises classical school leaders and boards across the country.
In this course, Keith is joined three times by upper school principal Robyn Burlew and one time by dean of academics Andrew Smith.
To learn more about the Veritas School, you may view a profile interview of Keith and Robyn here: Veritas School Profile Video
Instructional Hours: 5.23, CEU Credits: .52
- Lesson 1: Overview of Six Essentials of Effective School Leadership
- Lesson 2: Vision
- Lesson 3: Strategy
- Lesson 4: Talent
- Lesson 5: Culture (Part 1)
- Lesson 6: Culture (Part 2)
- Lesson 7: Working with Your Board (Part 1)
- Lesson 8: Working with Your Board (Part 2)
- Lesson 9: Finances
- Lesson 10: Keith’s Favorite Books on Leadership

Mrs. Robyn Burlew came to Veritas as the upper school principal and academic dean in 2014, after serving in a classical and Christian school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for 15 years. Her childhood in rural upstate New York laid the foundation for a love of the outdoors and the created world. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology at Houghton College and a master’s degree in integrated curriculum and instruction from Covenant College. Robyn has 3 grown daughters. In her free time, she enjoys the piano, hiking, and her golden retrievers.
Keith mentions several books that have helped as he has grown as classical school leader. Most of these books are discussed by Keith in lesson 10 (Keith’s Favorite Book on Leadership).
Words that Work by Dr. Frank Luntz
Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Desiring the Kingdom by James K.A. Smith
You are What You Love by James K.A. Smith
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
Drive by Daniel Pink
The Politics of Gratitude by Mark T. Mitchell
The Ideal Team Player Patrick Lencioni
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher
Shine by Edward M. Hallowell M.D.
Harvard Business Review Best of Books
The War for Fundraising Talent by Jason Lewis
Visioneering by Andy Stanley
Them: Why We Hate Each Other – and How to Heal by Ben Sasse
To obtain a certification credit for this course, simply complete each presentation lesson or discussion in the course (by marking it complete or by taking the quiz) and then also take the certification test at the end of the course. The quizzes are designed to ensure that you have understood the essential content of each presentation, and they can be taken more than once if necessary. The cumulative certification test at the end of the course is given as a pass/fail test and requires that you upload one or more essays demonstrating your understanding of the course. (Please note that essays are simply evaluated by word count.) When you have completed the course, a certificate that you can print or email will become available within “My Courses” (accessible under “Courses” in the main menu when you are signed in as an active subscriber).
We recommend previewing the essay question within the end of course test before starting the course. This will help in guiding your note taking as you progress through the course. Please allow approximately 2 weeks for essay submissions to be reviewed.
By taking the course for certification credit, you also will be on your way to obtaining a Level L certification.
Lessons

Lesson 1: An Overview of Essential School Leadership
Preview
Lesson 2: Vision
Preview
Lesson 3: Strategy
Lesson 3: Strategy Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 4: Finding and Growing Talent
Lesson 4: Finding and Growing Talent Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 5: School Culture (Part 1)
Lesson 5: School Culture (Part 1) Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 6: School Culture (Part 2)
Lesson 6: School Culture (Part 2) Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 7: Working with Your School Board (Part 1)
Lesson 7: Working with Your School Board (Part 1) Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 8: Working with Your School Board (Part 2)
Lesson 8: Working with Your School Board (Part 2) Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 9: School Finances
Lesson 9: School Finances Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 10: Keith’s Favorite Leadership Books
Lesson 10: Keith’s Favorite Leadership Books Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

End of Course Test: Essential School Leadership
End of Course Test: Essential School Leadership Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.