The 2024 Grow Enrollment Summit, brought together charter school leaders, enrollment specialists, and education innovators to share strategies and best practices for tackling one of the biggest challenges in education today: student enrollment. Featuring a range of breakout sessions and Q&A, this summit was packed with actionable insights for school leaders eager to boost enrollment, engage communities, and elevate their schools’ brand presence. The Grow Enrollment Summit was brought to school leaders by Enrollstream, vChief, and Grow Schools. Below is a recap of each session, highlighting the key takeaways and memorable moments from our incredible speakers.
Keynote Session: Education Innovation and Parental Choice Advocacy
Speaker: Nina Rees, Former President and CEO, NAPCS
As an advocate for education innovation and parental choice, Nina Rees opened the summit by discussing the evolving landscape of charter schools and the importance of adapting enrollment strategies to meet the needs of diverse communities. Her insights set the stage for a day focused on actionable strategies for growth and community engagement. Nina discussed how embracing innovation and fostering a strong school identity are critical for attracting families. She also shared her views on how parental choice is a driving force in enrollment, and schools need to position themselves as both high-quality and mission-aligned options in their communities.
Designing and Amplifying Your Brand
Speaker: Derek Hollister, Founder and Principal, Boldworld
In this interactive session, Derek Hollister encouraged schools to uncover what makes their brand unique and communicate that identity effectively. Covering elements like logos, colors, taglines, and voice, Derek demonstrated how a well-defined brand can resonate with families and create a lasting impression. Schools also learned SEO tactics and email marketing strategies to maintain community engagement year-round. “A cohesive and authentic brand strengthens a school’s presence and appeal,” he says, and “consistent messaging across digital and physical platforms helps maintain engagement and visibility.”
Mastering Social Media for School Success
Speaker: Neisha Tweed Bell, Founder, Next Level Up Creative
Neisha Tweed Bell shared her expertise on crafting social media content that connects with school communities. This session was packed with tips on choosing the right platforms, creating visually compelling content, and managing social media in a way that amplifies the school’s mission and culture. From storytelling through visuals to managing social media strategy, Neisha offered valuable techniques for building a vibrant online presence—everything from storytelling techniques to consistent, authentic social media engagement.
Your School’s Digital Front Door
Speaker: Niki Blaker, Owner & Design Strategist, Five Sigma Studio
Niki Blaker discussed how a school’s website serves as its “digital front door” and the role it plays in making strong first impressions. This session explored best practices for website design, content, and user experience, focusing on how to create a welcoming and informative site that encourages enrollment inquiries. Niki shared how a well-designed website should communicate the school’s values and make enrollment steps clear and accessible.
Impactful In-Person Events and Community Engagement
Speakers: Ashley MacQuarrie, Betsy Roberts, and Jean Shields Fleming
This session was all about creating memorable, in-person events that build excitement and foster community. Ashley, Betsy, and Jean shared strategies for using open houses, info sessions, and community events to create touchpoints that resonate with families. They also discussed how to use marketing materials and local media to amplify event impact. Listeners heard so many great tips on how engaging events give prospective families a firsthand look at the school’s culture and values.
Partnering for Enrollment
Speakers: Tony Solorzano of Grow Schools, Dr. Paul Miller of Charter Champions, Yoni Samuel-Siegel of Prospect Schools, and Todd Harris of Enrollstream
Tony, Dr. Miller, and Yoni led an insightful discussion on the power of partnerships in enrollment marketing and how strategic partnerships can expand a school’s resources and boost its visibility in the community, helping achieve enrollment goals. They emphasized that collaboration with organizations, local leaders, and even other schools can bring valuable resources and expertise, strengthening enrollment efforts.
Closing Session: Ask an Expert
The summit wrapped up with an interactive Q&A session, allowing attendees to ask enrollment professionals specific questions about the challenges and opportunities they face. This closing session gave participants personalized advice and reinforced the day’s insights.
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