The purpose of the study was to examine decision-making practices of trustees in good private, independent schools by studying and analyzing the structure of their governing boards, thus providing insight into their leadership practices. A multiple choice survey questionnaire and personal interviews were utilized to glean information from a sample of five metropolitan Los Angeles area independent schools. A major finding was that the role of the trustee in the decision-making process proved to be all encompassing and all powerful. The trustees were the only voting members of the board, largely describing themselves as not representing any entity other than their own individual selves. Another key finding was that trustees generally expressed resounding belief in their respective school missions. This seemed critical to their sameness and clarity of purpose, which was manifested in their propensity to vote unanimously on most issues in the board room. The responses reflected the autonomy of the independent school, and suggested a high level of independence in trustee thinking and voting. The trustee leadership perceived their roles as forwarding excellence in education, contributing to student success, and developing potential leaders. The trustee-school head relationships appeared positive, given the lack of controversy in board meetings in areas of school head responsibility, and with the lack of forced resignations at any of the schools in any trustee's memory. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]