Mission

God’s Messenger for Private Schools: the Admission Office or the Faculty

Admission, Blog, Customer-centric, Faculty, Full-pay Families, Mission /

A teacher, marker in hand, inspired by the divine, is empowering young minds preparing them to go out in the world and do good things. It’s a beautiful image, isn’t it? Now, pan over to the admission office, where they are trying extremely hard to find and recruit enough families who are willing to pay your high tuition, which, by the way, is coming from families discretionary funds. Not quite as celestial, is it? But here’s a thought that might just flip your world upside down: What if the admission office is the real divine messenger? Now, before you accuse me of blasphemy, hear me out. The Parable of the Drowning Man Let me tell you a story. There’s this guy, let’s call him Joe, caught in a flood. The water’s rising, but Joe’s not worried. “God will save me,” he says. A canoe comes by. Joe waves it off. A motorboat arrives. Joe says, “No thanks, God’s got this.” A helicopter drops a ladder. Joe yells, “God will provide!” Spoiler alert: Joe drowns. At the pearly gates, Joe asks God, “Why didn’t you save me?” God sighs, “I sent a canoe, a boat, and a helicopter. What more did you want?” Now, let’s bring this back to our schools. The Divine Inspiration Dilemma Many educators act and perhaps believe they’re divinely inspired. At the least they believe they don’t need parents telling them how to do their business. And who am I to argue? They work miracles with our kids as parents discovered during covid, when they had to teach them. It’s impressive stuff. But here’s the kicker: Schools are closing. The numbers are too high. The largest percentage? Parochial schools. Ouch! So, what gives? Have schools lost their divine mojo? Or are they pulling a Joe, ignoring the lifeboats God’s sending their way? Enter the Admission Office: God’s Undercover Agent? Here’s a radical thought: What if the admission office is God’s way of keeping schools afloat in these turbulent times? Think about it: They bring in the students (and the tuition). They’re the frontline in understanding what parents want. They’re constantly adapting to market changes. Sounds pretty miraculous to me. The Blasphemy of Listening? Now, I can hear the outcry: “But we can’t listen to parents! We’re the experts!” To which I say: Why not both? Remember, those parents you’re dismissing? They’re the ones funding your divine mission. Ignoring them is like telling God, “Thanks for the helicopter, but I’m waiting for somthing else.” The Marketing Miracle Here’s where marketing comes in. It’s not just about flashy brochures and catchy slogans. It’s about: Understanding your market (aka, the parents and students God’s sending your way when you listen to them) Communicating your value (that divine inspiration you’re so proud of) Adapting to changing needs (because even Jesus taught in parables or plain speech, depending on His audience) The Divine Coordination So, here’s the million-dollar question: Can educators’ divine inspiration coexist with the admission office’s market savvy? Absolutely. In fact, it must. Imagine a school where: Teachers are free to inspire Admission officers bring in the right students Parents feel heard and valued The mission thrives That’s not just a school. That’s a miracle. The Final Revelation So, the next time you’re tempted to not advance the work of the admission office, remember Joe. Don’t let your school drown waiting for a sign from above. The canoe is here. The motorboat is waiting. The helicopter is hovering. And that admission officer knocking on your door? They might just be the angel you’ve been praying for. Now, go forth and market. Your mission depends on it.

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The Mission Statement Mystery: Why Your Team is Lost in the Dark

Administrators, Blog, Faculty, Mission, Parents, Values /

Imagine this scene: You’re standing in front of your school staff, brimming with enthusiasm. “Who can tell me our mission statement?” you ask, expecting a chorus of confident voices. Instead, you’re met with awkward silence, shuffling feet, and averted gazes. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The Mission Impossible: A Puzzling Predicament Here’s a head-scratcher for you: Why do employees who casually toss around terms like “mission-appropriate students” and “mission-based programs” break into a cold sweat when asked to recite the actual mission statement? It’s like having a state-of-the-art GPS but not knowing how to turn it on. Frustrating, right? So, what’s going on here? Let’s dive into this mystery and uncover some surprising culprits. Suspect #1: The Breadcrumb Syndrome Picture this: You’re served a succulent lobster, but it’s drowning in a sea of breadcrumbs. That’s what many mission statements look like. The real meat—why your school exists—is hidden under a mountain of “how we do it” crumbs. Is it any wonder your team can’t find the main course? Quick Fix: Serve the lobster, hold the breadcrumbs. Strip your mission statement down to its essence. What’s the juicy bit that explains why you exist? Suspect #2: The Scavenger Hunt Dilemma Remember those childhood scavenger hunts where clues were scattered all over the neighborhood? Fun for kids, not so much for busy professionals. Yet, that’s how some schools treat their mission. A bit in the philosophy statement, a dash in the core values, add how to cover the bases, and a sprinkle in multiple mission focuses. Is it any surprise your employees are lost? Quick Fix: Create a treasure map, not a scavenger hunt. Organize your mission-related info clearly. Make finding the mission as easy as X marks the spot. Suspect #3: The Leadership Vacuum Brace yourself. This one might sting a bit. If your team doesn’t know the mission, it might be because you haven’t made it a priority. Ouch, right? But here’s the thing—if you’re not leading the mission charge, who will? Quick Fix: Be the mission champion. As a leader, make knowing the mission non-negotiable. And psst… make sure you know it too! From Mission Impossible to Mission Accomplished Now that we’ve identified our suspects, how do we turn this ship around? Let’s break it down: Ban the “general sense” cop-out: A vague idea of the mission is like a foggy GPS—you might end up somewhere, but probably not where you intended. Insist on precision. Turn up the volume: Blast that mission statement everywhere. Staff meetings, emails, even bathroom stalls if you have to! Make it impossible to ignore. Play “Mission Impossible”: Regularly challenge your team to recite the mission. Make it fun, make it engaging, but most importantly, make it stick. Connect the dots: Help your team see how their daily grind ties into the big picture. It’s like showing them their piece of the puzzle. Suddenly, their work has more meaning. Celebrate the mission masters: Shine a spotlight on those who live and breathe your mission. Nothing motivates like a pat on the back, right? The Million-Dollar Question Here’s something to ponder: If your team can’t articulate why your school exists, how can they help it thrive? Your mission statement isn’t just a bunch of fancy words to impress the board. It’s your school’s North Star. It’s the reason you open your doors every morning. So, isn’t it time you and your team started following it? Remember, a clear mission isn’t just about words on a plaque. It’s about creating a shared purpose, a common goal that everyone—from the principal to the janitor—can rally behind. Are you ready to solve the mission statement mystery in your school? The game is afoot!

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Removing the Fluff: Crafting a Strong Mission Statement

Administrators, Blog, Enrollment Manaagement, Mission /

Creating a clear and impactful mission statement is vital for any educational institution. However, many schools struggle to maintain the essence of their mission due to unnecessary language. To sustain a mission effectively, a school needs to ensure that its mission statement is concise, focused, and reflective of its core purpose. What Makes a Good Mission Statement? A good mission statement typically includes the following elements: The School’s Name: Clearly identifying the institution. An Action Verb: Describes what the school aims to do with its students (e.g., empowers, fosters, develops). Targeted Student Characteristics: Specifies the qualities or skills the school seeks to develop in its students (e.g., character, intelligence, resilience). Target Audience: Defines the specific group the school serves (e.g., children, young women, emerging learners). An Inspirational Element: Includes a verb that inspires action or hope (e.g., act, demonstrate, fulfill). Impact Area: Indicates where or how the students will make a difference (e.g., community, environment, world). For example: “Education Academy develops the unique characteristics and talents of each child, allowing them to acquire the necessary skills to make a difference in the world.” This statement is direct and focused, clearly communicating the school’s purpose and the outcomes it aims to achieve. Examples of Mission Statements Example of a Good Mission Statement: “Learning Academy empowers students to embrace their individuality while cultivating a strong sense of community, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the world.” This statement is effective because it is concise, targets a specific outcome (preparing students to contribute), and clearly defines the role of the school in the students’ development. Example of a Poor Mission Statement: “At Excellence Institute, we strive to offer unparalleled educational experiences that foster academic excellence, personal growth, and community service among our students, while also promoting a culture of lifelong learning, social responsibility, and global citizenship.” This statement is cluttered with multiple objectives and themes, making it less effective. The inclusion of too many goals dilutes the core purpose and makes it difficult for stakeholders to grasp the main message. Another Example of a Poor Mission Statement: “Bright Minds School is dedicated to nurturing the academic potential of young learners, supporting their growth through innovative teaching methods and fostering a collaborative environment, with a focus on community engagement and character development.” This mission statement, while well-intentioned, lacks a clear focus. It mentions multiple concepts—innovative teaching methods, collaborative environment, community engagement, and character development—these are how your plan to achieve your mission. The result is a mission statement that feels vague and unfocused. Recommendations for Crafting a Strong Mission Statement Keep it Focused: Aim to include only the most essential elements that reflect the school’s core purpose. Avoid Jargon: Use straightforward language that can be easily understood by all stakeholders. Be Specific: Clearly define the outcomes you want to achieve and the audience you serve. Inspire Action: Include language that motivates and directs the school community toward a shared goal. A well-crafted mission statement not only communicates what the school stands for but also guides its daily operations and long-term strategic planning. By removing unnecessary fluff and focusing on clear, actionable goals, schools can better sustain their missions and make a lasting impact on their students and communities.

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