Director of Admissions

School Overview

At Walden School, academic, cultural, and religious differences are acknowledged, respected, and celebrated. We give students the knowledge, skills, and values to succeed and accept responsibility in their lives. In partnership with families, Walden fosters academic and intellectual development, complemented by a focus for moral, physical, and psychological growth. Development in these areas is necessary to play an effective role in today’s multicultural society.

Walden School is designed to accommodate the different rates of growth in students by providing small classes, a carefully planned and frequently reviewed college preparatory curriculum, and professional excellence in the faculty. Our unique and individualized educational experience is designed to nourish all aspects of a student’s educational and personal growth.

Position Overview

The Director of Admissions is responsible for leading and growing Walden School’s K-12 admission and enrollment efforts with the goal of achieving and maintaining full-capacity enrollment of qualified students. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, the Director of Admissions is a member of the Advancement Team, which, along with Admissions, comprises Development and Marketing/Communications. Our team values initiative, collaboration, flexibility, humor, positive energy and a collegial spirit.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Is a dynamic, strategic thinker driven to achieve results and advance Walden’s mission
• Enjoys challenge, solving problems, and implementing change
• Is a high-energy extrovert who loves to meet new people
• Presents an outgoing and welcoming presence to constituents of all ages and backgrounds
• Maintains high standards of accountability, professionalism, customer service, and confidentiality
• Is highly organized, detail oriented, and works effectively in managing multiple priorities
• Has excellent presentation and public speaking skills
• Demonstrates maturity, resourcefulness, and judgment in decision making
• Successfully cultivates and builds relationships
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively
• Has an understanding of and appreciation for Independent School education
• Is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Essential Responsibilities

Strategy & Operations

• Establishes overall admission and enrollment yearly strategies, plans, and operations based on thorough evaluation, financial aid and marketing information analysis, trend evaluation, and outcome measurement.
• Manages all aspects of new student enrollment, and, in partnership with the business office, manages the continuous enrollment model already established
• Administers the school’s financial aid program and works with the Head of School and Director of Finance and Operations on financial aid award decisions.
• Works with the marketing and communications team on all aspects of admission and enrollment marketing.

Admission Process

• Represents Walden School to prospective families and the wider public, enhancing the school’s visibility and perception in the community.
• Plans and conducts personalized tours of the school, student shadow visits, and applicant and family interviews.
• Plans and conducts the fall open houses, as well an array of welcome, retention, and orientation events.
• Engages the school community–faculty and staff, volunteers, current parents and alumni–in admission programs.
• Administers and scores admission testing, processes student applications, and communicates with applicant families during the admission process.
• Works with academic division heads and Admissions Committee in the applicant selection process, and communicates admission decisions to applicant families.
• Produces regular admission and/or enrollment reports with clear progress metrics for the Head of School and Board of Trustees.