Moderator:

• Mark Copestake, Senior Director of Professional Development, EMA

Panelists:

• Laurel Baker Tew, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment, Viewpoint School (CA)
• Tony Bourne, Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, University of Toledo (OH)
• David Darby, Assistant Head: Enrollment Management, Lakefield College School (ON)
• Derek Kindle, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)

Admissions is a perpetual cycle: the new season starts the minute the old season ends. And what you do to engage your students - and their parents - from Day One matters. In this session, we’ll explore how the initial interactions, impressions, and experiences shape a family’s perception of your school and ultimately influence their decision to stay. We will share strategies to create a welcoming and supportive environment from the moment students are accepted into the community. From personalized welcome packages and orientation programs to ongoing communication and support systems, we'll discuss how to engage faculty and staff to nurture a sense of belonging and to foster long-term commitment among families. By emphasizing the importance of early engagement and proactive retention efforts, attendees will gain insights to enhance student retention rates and bolster the overall success of your school.

Presenter:

• Michelle Caceres, Carrollwood Day School (FL)

In this session, we’ll explore the essential steps to creating an effective retention committee tailored to your school's needs. We will delve into the optimal composition of the committee, ensuring a diverse mix of skills and perspectives to tackle retention challenges. Additionally, we'll discuss how leveraging technology can streamline processes and enhance the committee's efficiency. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on forming a committee that retains students and fosters a thriving school community.

Presenter:

• Josh Labove, Kimball Union Academy (NH)

A Data-Driven Approach That Transforms Attrition and Enrollment Data into Actionable Insights. 

In this session, we will explore how the Office of Enrollment Management at the Pingry School developed a groundbreaking data tracking tool known as “the Impact Score.” This innovative tool is designed to evaluate our success in attracting and retaining students who align well with our community values and academic environment. By monitoring student performance throughout their time at Pingry, the Impact Score allows us to gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of our Admissions Committee Rubric in predicting future student success.

More importantly, we will discuss how analyzing this data and identifying trends empowers us to move beyond anecdotal evidence when addressing the root causes of attrition. For instance, if we detect patterns of disengagement among specific demographics, we can proactively tailor our support efforts to meet their unique challenges and needs. This targeted intervention helps us create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students, leading us to achieve a 96% in our admissions yield and a 0.8% attrition rate. 

Presenter:

• Edwin Nunez, The Pingry School (NJ)

While it's often said that marketing is everyone's job in a school, the reality is that many of our colleagues don't recognize all of the elements that provoke a family's initial attraction to our schools, or their desire to re-enroll their children year after year. In fact, some faculty members may think that as long as families believe their children are receiving a superior education and are happy, that will be enough to make them realize that their school choice was a good one. 

In an era of increasing tuition and an increasingly transactional consumer mindset, a superior education and student happiness are only part of the value of independent schools. Savvy families also want to know that they will be receiving the same kind of consumer experience that they would when purchasing any luxury good, both at the time they choose your school, and each year when they re-commit to you. Come to this workshop to learn how to help your faculty understand that marketing and branding aren't dirty words, why "little things" can mean a lot when it comes to parent interaction, and how a strong customer orientation can boost parent engagement and retention. 

Presenters:

• Jan Abernathy, Chief Communications Officer, The Browning School (NY)
• Janetta Lien, Assistant Head of School / Director of Enrollment, The Browning School (NY)
• Kelly West, Director of Admission,The Browning School (NY)

Student and faculty retention are the key to healthy schools. Join Miriam Stein and Laurie Ehrlich of Thrive Hive to learn how to create a culture in your school in which all staff, parents and students are a part of retention. We will explore proven strategies from around the country and apply to your school’s unique community, spotlighting natural and tricky transition points and stem attrition before it starts. Learn how to turn strategies into habits for parents, teachers and students to use in creating consistent retention and predictable enrollment. Participants will walk away with worksheets and templates they can begin to use immediately and get to work on retaining their best students.  

Presenters:

• Miriam Stein, Thrive Hive
• Laurie Ehrlich, Thrive Hive

While enrollment directors hold the toolbox of student retention, a successful program requires multiple informed and invested users, as well as multiple data points and processes! Join us for an interactive discussion about the various campus partners--from the Business Office to the Registrar; processes--ways to funnel transcript requests; and metrics (student non-engagement, tuition non-payment) that help address potential attrition long before it gets to an actual withdrawal. 

Presenter:

• Kathleen Rutty-Fey, The Derryfield School (NH)
• David Baroody, The Derryfield School (NH)