It's March, which for most of America means March Madness. If you're an admission professional, it's also Heartbreak Season. We pour our hearts and souls (and weekends) into falling in love with our next entry class of families. We know we'll get some of them, but the ones that get away are the most painful. 

I see you. 

I know how this feels. 

Let's keep going. 

 

Welcome back to Beyond the Tour where twice a month you'll receive practical tips and resources to help you get better at what you do. 

 

Let's get started. 

If You Do One Thing This Week:

 

1. 🎯 Be direct.  

 

What do you do when you hear a family is thinking of leaving? 

Pick up the phone and call them. 

 

It's not a secret. You're not violating anything. Show them you care and call. 

Talk through their concerns. You may be able to solve them. 
 

And if it is a family that you are comfortable letting go, you should still call. You still have an opportunity to make a good impression and have them spread the good word about the school. You don't want anyone to say “We left, and no one called.” 

 

Make the call. Show them love. 

2 Tips to DO MORE:

2.  🗓️ Schedule parent get togethers.  

Looking to build parent community? 

 

Organize a parent coffee date on the day of the month that corresponds to graduating classes. (For example, this year's graduating class would get together on the 26th of the month.) 

 

Once you get to numbers above 31, go back to single digits. So the class of 2032, would meet on the 2nd of the month. 

 

“But Miriam,” you're thinking, “I cannot squeeze one more event in my calendar. I. AM. DONE.” 

 

You don't have to go to every parent coffee. This is a great project for an energetic parent ambassador or room parent. Help them set it up once, and then deploy them. 

 

Bonus points: give them a prompt question or topic to get conversation going. But this is not your rodeo. Let the parents connect without school professionals there.

3. ⌛ Capture the moment 

Schedule exit interviews with the parents of your oldest grade around graduation time.

 

Parents will be most nostalgic and most gushy about what your school has meant to them and their family.

 

Use the notes from those interviews as testimonials.

These testimonials will be gems. 💎

Share with marketing!

 

You’ll be happy you did. 

Thank you to our sponsor

Admissions are the heartbeat of every school, shaping a family’s first and lasting impression.

 

When your process needs clarity, consistency, and care, Enquiry Tracker delivers.

 

Enquiry Tracker is a purpose built admissions and enrollment platform designed for K to 12 schools in the United States. 

 

 

With online forms, event registration, personalized communications, pipeline tracking, and real time reporting, your team can see where every family stands and respond with clarity and confidence.

 

The result is a smoother process, stronger relationships, and sustainable enrollment growth.

 

If this newsletter resonates with you, here are three more ways I can help:

I’m a teacher at heart, and love helping people get better at what they do.

 

Let's get started,