Knowledge Hub
Inspiring & equipping the next generation of private school entrepreneurs and operators
A Community of Shared Expertise
The Drexel Fund is more than a funder – we work to inspire and equip the next generation of school entrepreneurs and operators by sharing wisdom from school leaders in our portfolio. Below you will find interviews with school founders on the front lines of private school creation, along with presentations from past Drexel Fund portfolio meetings.
Founder Stories
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to launch a successful school? In the Founders Stories below you will find both inspiration and practical advice for turning your idea for a new, innovative private school into your community’s next educational asset.
The ‘Nitty Gritty’ of Founding a School
Founder Group Conversation
Eric Oglesbee, The Drexel Fund Founders Program Director & Co-Founder of River Montessori High School (South Bend, Ind.)
Coi Morefield, Founder of Lab School of Memphis (Memphis, Tenn.)
Sarah Schnauder, Founder of The Link School (Baton Rouge, La.)
Interview Date: Oct. 12, 2024
2024 Drexel Fund Convening | Overview
Nashville, TN
Each year the Drexel Fund brings together its current grantees for two days of learning, collaborative problem-solving and networking. Attendees hear from outside experts on important topics in education, learn from each other in peer-led workshops, and gain valuable insights on strategic questions facing their school through collaborative problem-solving sessions.
Educational Pluralism: Beyond School Choice
Ashley Rogers Berner, Director of John Hopkins Institute for Education Policy
5 Essentials for Building a Donor Base
Henry Tyson, Superintendent at St. Marcus Lutheran School (Milwaukee)
Board Governance: Unlocking the True Value of Your Board
Lannie Davis-Frecker, President/CEO at Julie Billiart Schools (Lyndhurst, Ohio)
Beyond Our Walls: Exposing Students and Families to Their Next Educational Step
Jose M. Gonzalez, Jr., Director of High School Readiness at Independence Mission Schools (Philadelphia)
