Strategic Plan in Action
A Strong, Healthy Community
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Who goes to St. Margaret’s today? If you’re thinking that boarding schools are places where teenagers are “sent,” you may be pleasantly surprised by the answer. “We’re very aware that we’re building a community,” said Assistant Head for External Affairs and Director of Admission Kimberly McDowell. “and the health and strength of our school depend on the choices we make. We expect prospective students to see St. Margaret’s as a place that offers them opportunities, to understand that attending the school is a privilege, and to enroll here for positive reasons.” The screening begins early. Admission staff ask parents who call to make an inquiry whether they’ve discussed the possibility of boarding school with their daughter, and whether it was their idea or hers. And when families bring their daughter to campus for an admission visit, parents and prospective students are interviewed separately. If the student cannot independently articulate her desire to attend SMS, it’s a “definite red flag,” Mrs. McDowell said. It’s also a change from how things worked in the “old days,” and there are others. Take diversity, for example. This year, 13% of the school’s students are Americans of color, and 15% are citizens of other countries. Approx-imately 30% of the student body receive need-based aid. “Students benefit,” Mrs. McDowell said, “because they’re learning to live and work with people who are different from themselves, which is what they’ll encounter as adults in today’s global culture.” Finding and enrolling a motivated, diverse student body is a full-time, multi-year process. When new girls arrive in late August to begin school, admission staff already have been planning fairs and visit days, contacting educational consultants, updating marketing materials, and even conducting interviews for the following year. It can be a tough job, too. The recent economic downturn has shrunk the boarding school admission pool and sharpened competition among institutions. St. Margaret’s has responded by focusing on student retention, enhancing the residential program, increasing the frequency and reach of its advertising, and holding more informational events for prospective students and their families–all while upholding its admission standards. The result? A happy, cohesive student body and an enrollment rate that outdistances those of St. Margaret’s peer schools. Now work has begun to do it all again for the 2004-2005 academic year. There are several ways that alumnae and parents can help the admission effort, Mrs. McDowell said. Positive word-of-mouth and student referrals top the list. “You’d be surprised how people remember what you say about St. Margaret’s. Your endorsement, as someone who knows the school, carries more weight than almost anything we can do,” she said. |
 
If you’re ready to raise your expectations, put in some work, and reach your potential, St. Margaret’s is the school for you. We seek the average to above-average student who is likely to shine in a small setting with more personal attention and greater academic challenge. A positive attitude, open mind, and willingness to live with both the letter and the spirit of our Honor Code are important. You’ll enjoy the company of other girls who plan to attend college and who want to get the most out of their high school experience.
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Referrals from parents and alumnae are an increasingly important source of prospective students, she added. Think of the young women you know through your children, church and community organizations. “Chances are, you know at least one girl who meets our admission profile and who would be the kind of student you’d be proud to see at St. Margaret’s,” Mrs. McDowell said. “Then let us know about her!” |
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