How Community is Transforming Private Education in Mexico

In the landscape of private education in Mexico, schools often struggle with common challenges — enrollment retention, operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and adapting to technological advancements. Many institutions address these issues in isolation, missing out on the invaluable resource that a strong professional community can provide.

Too often, businesses and institutions mistake having an audience for having a community. An audience is passive; it listens, consumes content, and occasionally interacts. A community, on the other hand, is active, engaged, and collaborative. It fosters collective growth by enabling its members to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices.

As one of the founding members of Despega, the largest community of private school directors and owners in Mexico, I have seen firsthand the transformational power of collective intelligence. Through this platform, we’ve connected hundreds of decision-makers from different regions, breaking down geographical and competitive barriers to create a space where learning and innovation thrive.

The Theory Behind Community and Its Impact

Sociologists and business strategists have long emphasized the power of community in driving change. Research from Harvard Business Review and McKinsey highlights that well-structured communities:

1. Enable Faster Learning – Members share strategies and solutions, accelerating the adoption of best practices.

2. Increase Resilience – Institutions that are part of strong networks recover more quickly from financial, technological, and regulatory shocks.

3. Drive Innovation – Collective brainstorming leads to creative solutions that wouldn’t emerge in isolation.

4. Boost Influence – A community has more leverage when advocating for policy changes or industry-wide improvements.

In the context of private education, where schools face financial constraints and increasing competition, the ability to leverage collective intelligence is a game-changer.

Breaking the Cycle of Isolation in Private Education

One of the greatest obstacles facing private schools in Mexico is the fragmentation of the sector. Unlike public institutions, which operate under a centralized structure, private schools often function independently, navigating regulatory, financial, and operational challenges alone.

This fragmentation weakens the sector’s ability to advocate for itself in policy discussions. It also leads to inefficiencies, as schools reinvent the wheel instead of learning from each other.

Through Despega, we have challenged this status quo by fostering a mindset of collaboration over competition. Private schools are not rivals — they are allies in the shared mission of delivering quality education in Mexico.

Private Schools as a Collective Force for Educational Improvement

It is no secret that the private sector faces an uphill battle in Mexico. The regulatory environment often favors public education, and private institutions are sometimes seen as isolated entities serving only a specific socioeconomic group. However, this perception ignores the vital role private schools play in the broader educational ecosystem.

The findings from Cometa’s “2024 Private Education Report” indicate that private schools have been more adaptive and resilient than their public counterparts post-pandemic. While public schools grapple with budget cuts, declining enrollment, and outdated infrastructure, private institutions have found ways to innovate, often through technology and new business models.

By forming a unified community, private schools can:

• Improve Negotiating Power – Whether it’s advocating for better regulations or securing bulk discounts for educational resources, collective bargaining is more effective than individual efforts.

• Raise Standards Across the Board – Schools can benchmark their performance, adopt proven strategies, and set higher quality standards.

• Enhance Professional Development – Directors and administrators gain access to ongoing training, mentorship, and insights from peers.

The Power of Sharing Best Practices

At Despega, I’ve had the privilege of participating in over 75 conferences on topics ranging from enrollment growth strategies to artificial intelligence in education. These events are more than just knowledge-sharing sessions, they are catalysts for action.

For instance, in one of our recent workshops, several schools shared how they boosted retention and enrollment by eliminating inefficiencies in their processes. By streamlining re-enrollment campaigns and simplifying payments, they removed barriers that discouraged parents from securing spots early, leading to higher retention and financial stability. At the same time, others saw significant growth by replacing outdated, cumbersome admissions workflows with intuitive, parent-friendly systems. Through clear communication, digital tools, and a frictionless application journey, they increased conversions while reducing administrative strain.

This reminds me of an anecdote I often share in my Despega talks:

"A little girl watched her mother preparing fish for dinner and asked, ‘Mom, why do you cut off the head and tail before putting it in the oven?’ The mother paused and replied, ‘Because that’s how my mom always did it.’ Curious, the girl went to her grandmother and asked the same question. The grandmother gave the same response: ‘Because that’s how my mother did it.’ Fortunately, the great-grandmother was present, so the girl asked her too. The great-grandmother laughed and said, ‘Oh, that’s because back then, our oven was really, really small!’"

Too often, we follow processes simply because "that’s how it has always been done," without questioning whether they are still relevant or effective. This anecdote serves as a reminder that we must constantly re-evaluate our strategies, operations, and workflows to ensure they actually serve our schools' goals rather than hinder progress.

Through Despega, we have seen firsthand how schools that dare to challenge outdated methods and embrace change can achieve remarkable results in retention, admissions, and overall operational efficiency. The key is to ask the right questions, eliminate unnecessary obstacles, and leverage innovation to create a smoother experience for both families and school staff.

Beyond Business: The Personal Fulfillment of Community Leadership

Beyond the strategic and financial advantages, being part of a thriving community brings a profound personal reward. Some of the closest friendships and most inspiring collaborations I have today were forged through Despega. The ability to learn from others, support peers in difficult moments, and celebrate collective wins is something no isolated school director can experience.

Every time I leave a conference or a networking event, I do so with renewed energy and a stronger sense of purpose. Seeing how directors from different backgrounds unite under a common goal — improving education for future generations — reinforces my belief in the power of community.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening the Network

As we move into 2025, the role of professional communities in education will only grow in importance. The challenges facing the sector — financial pressures, regulatory shifts, and technological disruptions — are not going away. But by working together, private school leaders can transform these challenges into opportunities.

For those who have yet to engage in a professional community, I urge you to take the leap. Whether through Despega or other networks, the benefits of collaboration far outweigh the costs of isolation.

In education, as in life, the greatest advancements happen not in silos, but in shared spaces where knowledge flows freely and ideas multiply. The future of private education in Mexico depends on our willingness to embrace this truth.

Let’s move forward — not as isolated institutions, but as a unified force driving educational excellence in Mexico.