August, 2026Archive for
Revolutionizing Recruitment: Simplicity Is the New Strategy
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
Several months ago, I was conducting an enrollment assessment for a school and went through the admissions process exactly as a prospective parent would. I started on the website, found the inquiry form, and began filling it out. There were 29 required fields, and this was not the application. This was simply the inquiry form. Before […]
Revolutionizing Recruitment: Retention Is the New Recruitment
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
Schools spend a tremendous amount of time and resources trying to recruit the next family. We invest in websites, digital marketing, social media, open houses, campus visits, inquiry follow-up, admissions events, and other strategies designed to generate more enrollment. Those efforts matter. But what if one of your most powerful recruitment strategies is already sitting […]
Revolutionizing Recruitment: Personalization is the New Expectation
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
Several years ago, I submitted an online inquiry as part of a secret shopper assessment for a school. A short time later, the school’s first response arrived in my inbox. It began, “Dear Sir and/or Madam.” I wish I could say that was the only time I have seen something like this. Unfortunately, I have […]
Revolutionizing Recruitment: Story is the New Sales Pitch
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
I have been on hundreds of school tours over the years, but one particular tour still stands out to me. The admissions director knew her school incredibly well, and as we walked the campus, she talked almost nonstop. She shared program details, statistics, accomplishments, facilities, and just about everything she thought I needed to know. […]
Why Your School Needs a Word-of-Mouth Marketing Plan
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
Whenever I work with a school, one of the questions I want to answer is, “How do families first hear about your school?” After conducting thousands of parent focus groups, surveys, and enrollment assessments over the years, the response is remarkably consistent: word of mouth. A friend tells them about the school. They know a […]
Stop Guessing Why New Families Choose Your School: Ask Them Instead
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
When new families enroll in your school, they bring with them a fresh perspective. They’ve just completed their admissions journey, evaluated other schools, and chosen yours. That moment of decision and the first weeks of school represent a golden opportunity—but it’s a window that closes fast. Right now, new families can tell you exactly why […]
Revolutionizing Recruitment: Experience Is the New Differentiator
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
Two schools may offer strong academics, caring teachers, competitive tuition, attractive facilities, and meaningful opportunities for students. On paper, they may look remarkably similar. Yet a family can leave one campus feeling uncertain and leave another already imagining their child as part of the community. What created the difference? Often, it was not a program, […]

