At Francis W. Parker School, we’ve embarked on a mission-aligned journey to reimagine our enrollment strategy by starting with a clear vision of who we aim to nurture—not just as students, but as future citizens and leaders. Rather than beginning with the application process, we began with the Portrait of a Parker Learner—a thoughtful representation of the values, skills, and character traits we believe are essential for students to thrive in a diverse, democratic society. In this session, we’ll share how we’ve brought that portrait to life across the entire enrollment experience—from recruitment and messaging to retention and community engagement. By starting with the end in mind, we’ve created a more intentional and authentic enrollment journey—one that reflects who we are, what we value, and who we are best positioned to serve. Participants will gain insight into how to create or refine their own Portrait of a Learner and apply it strategically to every stage of the enrollment process, ensuring alignment with institutional mission and goals.

Topics We’ll Explore:

• Crafting a compelling portrait of a learner grounded in mission
• Translating the portrait into actionable enrollment practices
• Aligning academic programs and school culture with enrollment messaging
• Strengthening retention and belonging through mission-driven community building

Whether you're looking to better define your ideal learner or align your current practices with your school’s values, this session offers practical tools, lessons learned, and inspiration to bridge the gap between vision and practice.