This image shows the Student Thrive Index profiles of two different hypothetical students. It is a description of student experience that extends beyond just grades and test scores.
Institutional Research
How can we measure how well we live our mission? Maret tackles this crucial question by leveraging school data in innovative ways, building institutional research capacity, and developing quantitative literacy throughout the community.
Research Initiatives
We use the data we collect to hold ourselves accountable to our school values. Here are some of our recent and ongoing projects.
Director of Institutional Research
Maret's director of institutional research, Eric Heilman, works with the assistant heads of school and others on our administrative team to identify and monitor important performance indicators across the school. He is also the director of the Center for Institutional Research in Independent Schools (CIRIS) here at Maret. Eric Heilman holds a bachelor's degree in International Economics from Georgetown University and a master's degree in Economics from the University of Chicago.
The Center for Institutional Research in Independent Schools
In 2020, with the $250,000 leadership grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation and matching funds received from generous members of the Maret community, Maret established the Center for Institutional Research in Independent Schools (CIRIS). Led by Eric Heilman, Maret’s Director of Institutional Research, CIRIS has flourished and is making a profound and lasting impact on independent schools, building a deep and collaborative culture of institutional research.
Maret’s ongoing leadership and financial support make it possible for the organization to continue to evolve as a critical resource benefiting not only Maret, but also other independent schools and practitioners across the country. Following the initial grant period, CIRIS has transitioned to a paid membership model. While many resources remain free on the CIRIS website and research hub, members have access to enhanced offerings and professional development opportunities. So far, 138 individuals from 42 schools and four organizations have joined, collectively supporting over 33,000 students. Learn more about CIRIS.
Guidance for Independent Schools
The 2023 CIRIS Summer Fellows cohort published a resource aimed at helping school leaders and data analysts: "Data Informed Decision-Making: A Guide to Institutional Research in Independent Schools." This resource provides tools for institutional researchers to grow their skills and foster their community's data culture. The guide delves into the value of institutional research and the possibilities it offers. Additionally, the CIRIS Summer Fellows Lab cohort conducted the first Institutional Research State of the Industry survey (IR SOTI).
In 2025 and 2026, the Summer Fellows cohort wrote the CIRIS "Data Governance Handbook," which will give independent schools recommendations for essential data to collect and how to store it to ease analysis and integration of operational AI tools.