The purpose of this study was to examine teacher job satisfaction and its impact on teacher retention in the independent school. This case study was completed at a National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) member school and utilized the NAIS Independent School Satisfaction Survey (2007). Survey data were collected from 44.8% of the teacher population to fulfill Part I of the study. Data from the survey instrument incorporated the use of the Likert Scale and open-ended questions. Additionally, 25.2% of the full time faculty members participated in focus groups which were designated as Part II of the study. Critical factors such as work environment, leadership, work and life balance, compensation and benefits, and mentoring new teachers were explored in an effort to assess their impact on teacher retention.

Results from these two methods of data collection indicated that while teachers highly valued small class sizes, autonomy in the classroom, designing and implementing the curriculum, and the joy derived from close relationships with the students, there was a large faction of teacher participants who were disappointed in the environmental factors of their jobs. Data show that almost half of the participants who participated in this study anticipate retiring, changing jobs or migrating to other institutions within the next five years. Results from this study suggested that each independent school challenge the internal perceptions of their own cultural environment in an effort to retain their most valued teachers.