Why Attend

The COVID-19 crisis has upended everything we thought we knew about independent school enrollment. You might be facing significant enrollment challenges.

You might be worried about what the next admission season will look like. Our institute, designed for heads of school like you, will help you move forward. It’s an opportunity to seek input from the most knowledgeable enrollment experts in the industry. It’s a chance to engage and collaborate in small groups with your peers. You’ll have access to the best minds in the field for 1:1 consultations. This institute is for you.

Course Pricing

EMA Members   

$595 Early Bird*  |   $795 Regular

Non EMA Members   

$995 Early Bird*  |   $1,195 Regular

*Early bird pricing available through June 11, 2020. 

Featured Speakers

Christine Baker
Christine Baker
The Baker Group/Carney, Sandoe & Associates
President
Laurel Baker Tew
Laurel Baker Tew
Viewpoint School (CA)
Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management
Greg Bamford
Greg Bamford
Leadership and Design
Co-Founder and Senior Partner
Jennifer Hillen
Jennifer Hillen
NBOA Business Leadership for Independent Schools
Chief Learning Officer
Heather Hoerle
Heather Hoerle
The Enrollment Management Association
Executive Director & CEO
Amy Jolly
Amy Jolly
Applewild School
Head of School
Anne-Marie Kee
Anne-Marie Kee
Lakefield College School
Head of Lakefield College School
Sally Keidel
Sally Keidel
Montgomery School (PA)
Head of School
John Lewis
John Lewis
The Gunston School (MD)
Headmaster
Noni Thomas Lopez
Noni Thomas Lopez
The Gordon School
Head of School
Americus Reed
Americus Reed
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Professor of Marketing
Kynan Robinson
Kynan Robinson
EnRusk
Founder and CEO
Adam Rohdie
Adam Rohdie
Greenwich Country Day School
Head of School
Jeff Shields
Jeff Shields
NBOA
President and CEO
Chad Tew
Chad Tew
Los Encinos School
Trustee
Suzanne Walker Buck
Suzanne Walker Buck
Western Reserve Academy
Head of School

How You'll Benefit

Build Deep Connections and Learn from Industry Experts
As we selected our presenters we had a simple mandate: find the most experienced and creative practitioners in the field and ask them to share what they know so you can apply their ideas to help your school. Whether you learn about new tuition models from heads of school like Noni Thomas Lopez (Head of School at Gordon School, RI) and Sally Keidel (Head of School at The Agnes Irwin School, PA) or hear how Greenwich Country Day school acquired another school to become more successful, you will take away key ideas and strategies you can use immediately.

Active Collaboration & Support: Be part of a cohort groups of heads of school
We understand: as head of school it can sometimes be hard to find a place for advice and support. During the institute you will regularly come together with a small group of your peers to share the challenges and opportunities you are facing at your school as well as make the most of the learning happening during the event.

Expert Guidance & Input
Sometimes you just need an answer to your specific question. During the course you will have the opportunity to schedule individual calls with industry thought leaders. Dig into branding best practices from Americus Reed, professor at The Wharton School, benefit from learning about what Chinese families are thinking from Nini Suet Managing Partner at Shang NancyFriends International Education Group. These are just two examples of the accomplished professionals you’ll be able to consult with during the institute

How Does it Work?

When you participate in the institute you will have access to the following content:

  • Live sessions and cohort groups conducted via Zoom meeting
  • Recordings of the sessions will be available for on-demand viewing and sharing
  • Supporting content and resources will also be available

Course Topics

Enrollment Management in a time of COVID-19
Chris Baker, The Baker Group; Laurel Baker Tew, Viewpoint School

Rethinking the Independent School Business Model due to COVID-19
Jeff Shields, NBOA; Jennifer Hillen, NBOA

New Tuition & Pricing Models
Noni Thomas-Lopez, Gordon School; Sally Keidel, Montgomery School; John Lewis, The Gunston School

Redefining Your Brand Identity During a Crisis
Americus Reed, Wharton School

Should We Partner, Merge, Acquire, or Close?
Adam Rhodie, Greenwich Country Day; Chad Tew, LearnCollab

Agenda

Monday, July 13, 2020
Opening & Welcome1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
1:1 Consultation Sessions3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cohort Group Meeting4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Enrollment Management in a Time of COVID-1912:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Redefining Your Brand Identity During a Crisis1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
1:1 Consultation Sessions3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cohort Group Meeting4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Rethinking the Independent School Business Model due to COVID-1912:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Is it time to Partner, Merge, Acquire or Close?1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
1:1 Consultation Sessions3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cohort Group Meeting4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Optional Activity: Blue Sky Walk7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Learning How to Pivot: New Leadership & Decision Making Models12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
New Tuition & Pricing Models1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
1:1 Consultation Sessions3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cohort Group Meeting4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Optional Activity: Closing Reception7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

*All times Eastern Time

“This was the first conference that I have attended in a long time in which I felt challenged to grow in my role as head, and I was grateful for the opportunity to be able to do so from such talented and thoughtful individuals that presented and attended. It was the most worthwhile professional development that I have experienced in a long time.”
—Kelley Waldron, Head of School, St. Andrew’s School, GA

“Thank you for a meaningful institute. I found it to be an exceptional combination of thought-provoking, informative, sobering, innovative, accessible, and inspiring."
—Michael Ebeling, Head of School, Summit School, NC

“It was one of the most gratifying professional development experiences I have had in my career. My sincere thanks to all who collaborated to make the conference such a meaningful experience."
—Julie Anderson, Head of School, Cheshire Academy, CT