There were many things that surprised me when I became a Head of School, but one of the biggest was how much I came to love enrollment work. I had been involved in admissions earlier in my leadership career, presenting at open houses, reviewing applications, and attending weekend events as a division head. I enjoyed it. What I did not anticipate was how engaging and rewarding enrollment management would become once I stepped into headship.
As a Head of School, I became deeply interested in the strategy of enrollment, how families experience the school long before they apply, how they are welcomed once they arrive, and how we support them well after they enroll.
One of the best decisions I made early in my headship was to invest in my own learning. Our school became a member of the Enrollment Management Association (EMA) and I immersed myself in what the membership had to offer. I wanted to better understand the full enrollment lifecycle and the systems that support it. The professional learning opportunities available through EMA helped me see enrollment not as a series of tasks, but as a coherent journey.
Over time, I became increasingly involved in enrollment strategy. I led campus tours, partnered closely with our enrollment director to map the family experience from first inquiry to reenrollment, and worked to optimize our enrollment management systems so the process felt thoughtful, personal, and aligned with our values. We asked not just how families enter the school, but how they experience belonging once they are here.
For new and aspiring Heads of School, enrollment can sometimes feel overwhelming. My encouragement is simple. Lean in. Become fluent in the process. Partner deeply with your Enrollment Director. When the Head of School is visibly engaged, enrollment becomes a shared priority rather than a siloed function.
Enrollment is one of the primary engines that drives a school’s success. When it becomes an area of genuine strength for a Head of School, it empowers the enrollment team, builds confidence across the community, and creates momentum that supports every other aspect of the institution. I have found this work deeply energizing, and I believe it is one of the most meaningful ways a Head can shape a school’s future.