La Scuola’s mission is to inspire brave learners to shape the future. 

La Scuola aims to nurture children’s innate ability to learn by challenging them academically, creatively and innovatively, while immersing them in the Italian language and making them keenly aware of the world around them and their place in it.

We believe our community thrives through diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and realities. Only through a persistent drive to listen and learn from one another, create and promote equitable opportunities and to continue to reflect and evolve will we be able to establish systems which will address the needs of the one and the many.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Admissions reports to the Head of School.

Main areas of focus and responsibility:

• Embrace, embody and communicate the vision, mission and values of La Scuola
• Oversee the admissions and recruitment of new students to the school in keeping with the mission of the school and according to policies and annual strategic goals set by the Head of School and by the Board. 
• Ensure full enrollment across the school at all times (Preschool through Grade 8)
• Foster a diverse Preschool through Grade 8 student body based on socio-economic factors, race & ethnicity, family structure, and other markers.

• Lead school marketing initiatives in conjunction with the Director of Advancement, Head of School and key Board members as applicable.  
• Collaborate with school committees including Admissions, Marketing & Design, Parents Association and Development Committees. 
• Possess a rich knowledge of the Reggio Emilia approach, the IB PYP and MYP Curriculums and language immersion programs; embody the International Baccalaureate learner profile

Specific duties (not limited to):

• Present the school to prospective students and parents, which includes:
• Serve as primary representative at admissions events including, but not limited to fairs, open houses, and tours as needed.
• Systematic and efficient handling of applications and communication with families;
• Conducting parent tours; interviews with candidates and their parents;
• arrangements for admissions testing; securing of necessary student records; and communicating final decisions to the appropriate individuals.
• Oversee development of admissions and marketing materials (brochures, pamphlets etc.), mailings and publications including the school website (open houses, admissions timeline, openings etc.) ; Communicate internally and externally core messaging and admission process details.
• Evaluate and redesign aspects of the admissions and marketing program with the goal of maintaining a full capacity enrollment of qualified students and a wait-list of qualified applicants which consist of at least 10% of the maximum class size for each grade.
• Assist in sliding scale tuition decision process in collaboration with the Head of school, CFO  and  the Financial Aid Committee.
• Plan, create, implement, execute and share the Admissions calendar 
• Maintain relevant statistics on all aspects of the admission and re-enrollment program and seek comparative benchmarking. Maintain an accurate and complete database on all admissions functions. Provide all relevant demographic data annual for school surveys
• Work closely with Division Heads and teachers on students placement in different grades, on preparing faculty and staff for admissions events and to maintain intimate knowledge of the program offered
• Oversee the Admissions office, creation of the admissions budget in collaboration with the Head of School and Business Office.
• Process and evaluate applications for Preschool through Grade 8
• Develop admissions policies and procedures in collaboration with Head of School and Admissions Committee and the Board of Directors (including tuition, program offerings, age cut-offs, sibling policies)
• Be an active member of local Admission Directors association/network (BADA); Represent the school at various gatherings and conferences.
• Produce monthly Admissions reports for the Head of School and the Board
• Implement a rolling admissions process in order to maintain full enrollment in each class throughout the year
• Organize new parent and new student orientations and other events  (in collaboration with Parents Club and Room Parents) to help educate incoming parents about philanthropy and volunteerism. Manage a pool of parent volunteers to speak and assist at informational sessions, open houses and tours
• Review the Student and Family Handbook each year
• Focus on family retention efforts throughout the year including conducting exit interviews of families leaving before graduation. Monitor attrition and identify local trends
• Develop a broad outreach program and field admissions inquiries (email, phone) as necessary
• Support the school and its leadership and be an ambassador for La Scuola.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School