Open house season is around the corner and already it’s trending on ISM’s E-List for Admission Officers. Members have been discussing the key to their open house success relies on an effective marketing orientation for teachers. Given the faculty’s influential role, training helps teachers understand their purpose at admission events.
One of our E-List members generously shared a PowerPoint presentation, which is intended to engage teachers with open house events. (We have moderately modified the content to outline main attributes of the PowerPoint presentation.)
1. Who is our audience?
- Prospective parents
- Current parents
- Faculty members and colleagues
- The general public
- Potential donors (If aware–faculty education is part of the ISM Advancement Model)
- Summer program families
2. What is our goal?
- To get families interested in and excited about our school’s mission
- To help current families understand our mission, culture, values, and curriculum
3. What role do teachers play in this?
- You are the face of our school
- You are the center of parent decisions and student satisfaction
4. Talking about our school with prospective parents/students:
- Differentiate our program from competition–Identify strengths
- Present weaknesses as positives to families
- We have testing in addition to other methods of assessment. instead of We don’t have lots of tests.
- We make sure that all students are challenged and engaged. instead of We differentiate in the classrooms to meet students where they are.
- Reflect on student accomplishments; give personal examples of achievements from your classroom, the seven grade students are reading The Odyssey; show trip pictures, share class blog
- Focus on results!
Join our E-List and get in on the conversation–it’s free! E-Lists for Admission Directors
Sign up for our upcoming workshop Admission 101: The First Three Years
Learn the nuts and bolts of efficient admission procedures and proven materials. Topics range from open houses to how to develop a welcoming atmosphere.
Additional ISM articles of interest
Teaching Teachers About Your School Institutional Support
The Admission Funnel: Turn Inquiries into Visits
Additional ISM resources for Consortium Gold members
I&P Vol 34 No. 1 The Role of Faculty in Admission
I&P Vol.35 No. 1 Integrating Faculty Into the Advancement Process
