Blogs - AISAP

Poverty As a Cycle, Not A State

By Shuja Khan

Golden State Warrior tickets are notoriously expensive, even for the Bay Area. So, when a teacher at the ultra-expensive independent school where I worked saw one of his students at a game, it wasn’t surprising. Our families are the ones who can afford to go. That the student was there to celebrate a birthday and had bought tickets for a bunch of friends also was not surprising. However, this teacher was on the admissions staff and therefore privy to information about aid. The very next morning, he was in my office to complain. How could this student afford all these tickets and then also qualify for a “gargantuan” aid package? Most people when they hear this ...

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I Never Thought of it That Way, Oreos, and Ted Lasso

By Marianne Ryan

This summer, our faculty and staff read, “I Never Thought of It That Way” by Mónica Guzmán . The book is timely for individuals and schools as we approach the upcoming election season. I found it a valuable read, and of course, read it through the lens of admissions and enrollment. I found myself delving into it as I headed off for vacation, which is often when I come up with new ideas. Guzmán suggests that we, on a regular basis, ask the essential question, “What am I missing?” And so I asked myself, "What am I missing and how do I break away from the silos of my own perspective about admissions?" I like to consider myself an open minded and curious person, ...

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Stay the Course: An Admissions Officer's Reminder that Mission Really Matters

By Tricia Xavier

Many independent schools are facing formidable enrollment challenges. The declining birth rate, rising cost of living, volatile economy, increased popularity of virtual learning and homeschooling, and greater “student choice” in selecting a school have caused many of us in admissions to feel like we’re up against insurmountable odds. Under these circumstances, how on earth can we meet enrollment goals? And while many independent schools strive to adhere to mission-driven criteria, admissions teams sometimes feel like all we can do is accept students outside mission guidelines. The pressures of serving as Chief Revenue Officer de facto have never been ...

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Tricks of the Trade: New to Independent School Admissions

By Kristen Mariotti

If you are brand new to independent school admissions, congratulations! You are about to embark on an incredible journey! Working at an independent school offers a unique and very rewarding experience. Particularly as a member of the admissions team, you get the chance to play a part in envisioning the makeup of the student body that will define your school! As you embark on this new adventure, here's a guide to help you navigate your first 90 days. Understand Your School Although you probably spent a lot of time learning all about your institution for your interview, now is the time to make sure you learn everything you need to accurately and enthusiastically ...

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How to Craft Social Media Guidelines for School Marketing Teams

By Metric Marketing

For K-12 schools, social media is an excellent tool for connecting with your community, attracting prospective families, and showcasing your unique programs or features. However, managing social media content effectively can be challenging – especially for small school marketing teams (did you know 29% of all independent schools have a one-person marketing team?). Without clear guidelines in place to guide and govern your social media, maintaining brand consistency, communicating expectations, and ensuring engagement can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where we can help. Why Social Media Guidelines Matter Maintaining a cohesive brand voice across multiple ...

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Condensing Your Timeline

By Shelly Landau

I was recently reviewing “Ask AISAP 2023 Wrap Up" that gave some interesting summaries of what Independent Schools are moving toward. Early Action/Early Admissions and tightening the cycle are some trends schools are implementing. I thought it would be pertinent to revisit the trend of shortening the Admission and Enrollment cycle. I presented this concept twice in 2021 to two different AISAP audiences (one virtually and one in person) and wanted to share that our process has worked. It took three years to see the level of engagement that we wanted but the cycle is now officially shortened and is working well. We moved from a process that lingered sometimes ...

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Navigating Together

By Janice Crampton

We are amidst the flurry of the enrollment season, and I wanted to take a moment to pause and extend my heartfelt appreciation to the admission and enrollment professionals who make AISAP tick. The enrollment journey is undoubtedly filled with challenges and uncertainties, but it's in these moments that our collective strength shines through. I want to acknowledge the myriad of feelings you may be experiencing now. Your emotions are valid and understood, from the excitement of welcoming new students into our communities to the anxiety of meeting enrollment targets amidst a changing landscape. The road ahead may seem daunting, but together, as a community, we ...

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Grace in the Admission Cycle

By Marianne Ryan

The week after the application deadline and final scheduled tour, I received 14 inquiries and 5 phone calls from families looking for tours and application information for the upcoming school year. Quite honestly, I was a bit disappointed. We advertise our tour dates in many online and paper publications, and our website clearly outlines the application process, including dates and deadlines. I realize it is my hope that people will find us and go through the process in the orderly way we have outlined for them, that they will inquire, take a tour, apply, send transcript release forms and teacher recommendation forms to their child’s current school, and sign ...

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Come See Me: How to Change the Perception of Prospective Families Through Tours and Visits

By Alida Abdullah

They say “never judge a book by its cover”, and I had been guilty of this for a very long time. I often tell the story of how my kids started attending an independent school, and it was seeing it from the “inside” that made all the difference. I had been a part of my current school’s community for a long time as the sister of an employee. My brother and I never went to an independent school and we both obtained our degrees and diplomas from public schools from Kindergarten all the way up through completion of our undergraduate studies. So, when he was hired as a coach and teacher for one of the largest independent schools in the continental United States, ...

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Reimagining Education in the Digital Age

By Aiglon College

Almost every big technological breakthrough has triggered as much worry as it has excitement, especially in the field of education, which has tended to adapt slower than other industries. “Any change in education has caused fear,” explains Darren Wise, Director of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) at Aiglon College. “When the internet first started being used in schools, people were worried about kids using it to access bad things or for plagiarism. Even the calculator was seen by some as a terrible thing.” With the speed of recent digital developments, it’s no wonder that fears have once again been ignited. Just last month, Open AI announced ...

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AI May Not Replace You, But Someone Who is using AI Just Might

By Katie Doherty

AI can streamline administrative tasks and improve operational efficiency within private schools. AI-powered systems can automate routine administrative processes, such as attendance tracking, grading, and scheduling. This allows educators and staff to focus more on their core responsibilities, such as teaching and providing support to students. By reducing administrative burdens, AI can free up valuable time and resources, ultimately enhancing the overall efficiency of private schools. However, the introduction of AI in private schools will undoubtedly lead to a shift in the school's culture. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into the education system, ...

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Courageous Admissions during Uncertainty: Surviving Unexpected or Consequential Changes in your School

By Danny Kahalley

That monumental change at your school, leaving you unsettled, ill-equipped, and bracing for what comes next, is inevitable. While it’s a common experience, it’s never a welcome one. It can feel like everyone has questions, and no one has answers. These moments come in varied forms and will be specific to your community, but employee turnover, organizational restructuring, leadership transitions, and public relations emergencies are relatable examples. Have faith that you’re not alone and that there is hope, even opportunity, in these uncertain spaces. “ Admissions is not for the faint-hearted .” This quote from Janice Crampton, CEO/Executive Director for ...

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Equitable Admissions Practices

By Kristen Mariotti

Over the years, independent schools have become reflections of the broader world and admissions teams have worked hard to envision ways to continue increasing diversity on their campuses. While the goal to create a diverse community is an essential one, and inextricably linked to a vibrant learning environment, there are critical steps that need to be taken to ensure each applicant is receiving an equitable chance at attending your school and is supported well once they have enrolled. Implicit-Bias Training - Every admissions team should invest in implicit-bias training. In order to become a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive school community we must ...

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Setting the Stage: The Art of Authentic School Tours

By Claire Vaughn

Enrollment management is a dance of purpose, promise, and experience. As admission professionals, we stand on the front lines of portraying our schools authentically. The school tour, the moment where families immerse in the ecosystem of your school, plays a pivotal role in setting expectations. Today, we delve into the importance of providing an authentic tour, laying emphasis on transparency and honesty. The Authentic School Tour: A Mirror, Not a Billboard Billboards are for highlights and brief messages. However, a school tour is not a billboard. It should be a mirror, reflecting the reality, nuances, and values of the school. Authenticity means showcasing ...

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Does Harvard Really Care About Diversity?

By Shuja Khan

Even when a Supreme Court decision seems clear about what it wants, that doesn’t mean their decisions always conform to expected outcomes. In 1986, the Court ruled in Batson v. Kentucky that prosecutors were not allowed to strike potential members of a jury because of race. The intended outcome of that decision was to eliminate all-white juries. As a result of the Batson rule, a Court decision that was designed to create more diverse juries, juries actually became less diverse. DA’s were then trained to stop mentioning race. No matter how preposterous their reason for excluding a juror, as long as they didn’t say race, there was no issue. The funniest ...

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Embracing Belonging

By Janice Crampton

As we embark on a new year of membership with the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP), I am thrilled to welcome each of you to the exciting journey ahead. The theme of “Belonging” is one that I hope will guide us and resonate deeply within our community: At AISAP, our mission is to empower and educate professionals in the admission and enrollment field and foster an environment where every individual feels a strong sense of belonging. With that in mind, I want to dive into why we strongly emphasize this aspect and how it shapes our daily, weekly, and monthly engagements. Every Day: Nurturing a Culture of Inclusivity Belonging ...

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Tips for Low-Anxiety Board Presentation Preparation

By Jennifer Webb

Board presentations can be a source of anxiety for admissions and marketing professionals. We are currently at a time of the year when we find ourselves in the boardroom presenting how enrollment goals were achieved or missed. Regardless of which you are presenting, the board wants to know that there is a sustainable future for the institution, given enrollment is the largest revenue generator. Board agendas are often packed, so professionals typically have about fifteen minutes to present the institution's sustainability. No wonder these presentations can be anxiety-provoking! To help reduce some of that anxiety, here are some tips to guide you through the practical ...

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Are Admission Professionals Adrenaline Junkies?

By Sindy Udell

The cycle of an admission professional can be compared to many things. I like to think of it as a long hike up and down a mountain. The hike often starts off flat where we have lots of energy and excitement for hiking up a beautiful mountain on a crisp autumn day. We are well-rested and hydrated. Just like the beginning of the admission cycle, the summer is over, kids are back in school, the weather is nice and we are ready to start the admission season. We have a marketing plan in place and we are thrilled to start the journey of another admission season. Inquiries start coming in and the possibilities of how we are going to shape these classes seem infinite. ...

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The Moral Imperative of DEI

By Shuja Khan

There was a time when the words “government housing” didn’t conjure unfair and wildly distorted images of graffiti-covered walls and rampant crime. In post-World War II America, “government housing” meant simply that there weren’t enough homes available and the government was going to build some. The housing was generally well made and, even more importantly, the government-subsidized loans made them affordable. Initially, all that housing was integrated – factories needed as many workers as they could find and issues of race took a backseat. The segregation came later (as did the myth that the segregation we continue to see today is the result of individual ...

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How To Ace It as a One-Person Marketing Team

By Kevin MacNeil

They say there’s no “I” in team… but what if the team is only you? Marketing teams (and budgets) at private and independent schools are often small or under-resourced. According to our 2021 State of Independent School Marketing Survey , 29% of all private and independent schools – and more than 50% of schools with less than 300 students – have a single person responsible for marketing. The most common? 60% of private elementary schools and 31% of day schools report having a one-person marketing department. If you’re juggling marketing strategy and implementation on your own, that’s trying to do a lot. Here are some key tips to help maximize the impact ...

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