By Avery Maier, ’13, News Editor
By Avery Maier, ’13, News Editor. This year, CCDS has received 240 applications for admission, 15% more than this time last year. 140 of the 240 have been accepted. Of the 140 accepted, 60 students have committed so far to attending CCDS in the fall, putting the school 20 students ahead as compared to last year at this time.
By the final deadline of May 1, the CCDS admissions office expects to receive 300 applications and accept 225 to 240 of them. The increase in interest has been attributed to the creation of the Parent Ambassador Program and the efforts of the Enrollment and Engagement series, including the development of the Founders’ Scholarships (see Merit scholarships, enrollment initiatives attract new students).
Aaron Kellenberger, director of admission, said that CCDS looks at many factors when evaluating an application. “All files are reviewed by a group of faculty and division heads at every grade level,” said Mr. Kellenberger. “We do a composite/comprehensive review of all applicants. We look at test scores, current and past grades, recommendations, student profile responses, etc.”
Head of School Dr. Robert Macrae said that CCDS seeks “high-potential, highly-motivated children.”
The CCDS admissions department is constantly working to bring more families to CCDS, by planning events and giving tours. The number of students that have taken an interest in CCDS has been up 10% since last year. On April 1, there was a record of eight visiting families in one day. Those visiting families were given a tour of the school, student shadows, and evaluations. The open house after Presidents’ Day weekend hosted 30 families, another peculiarly high number.
The number of returning students to CCDS will not be known until June. However, the percentage usually hovers around 90%, with relocation as the biggest reason for losing students.
Over the course of the year there are many different events that allow families to look at the school. “We host four open houses, two accepted student breakfasts, two Founders’ Day programs, 14 testing dates, attend four area recruitment fairs, etc.” said Mr. Kellenberger.
Dr. Macrae said that he also meets with every prospective student to share his “educational philosophy.”
The Admissions Office has been applying many new ideas to try and bring more students to CCDS. Along with the different events CCDS hosts, such initiatives as the Parent Ambassador program have been created. The Parent Ambassador program helps new families to feel at home at CCDS through initiatives such as “welcome” bags. Mr. Kellenberger said that a “whole Enrollment and Engagement series that involves getting our current families involved in recruiting, marketing, and retention efforts” has also been developed.
One program of the Enrollment and Engagement series, Founders’ Scholarships, in first its year has proved successful in bringing academically excellent students to CCDS. Founders’ Scholarships offer merit-based assistance of $2,500 to $15,000 to prospective fifth to 12th grade students. So far, 40 prospective students have applied for the scholarships and 19 have been accepted.
Many people come to CCDS for many different reasons, but Mr. Kellenberger said he feels that “most apply for the academic rigor, personalized attention, and opportunities for involvement.” Mr. Kellenberger said he feels that CCDS sets itself apart from other schools by its “community, use of technology, 62-acre campus, and the freedoms we give our students and responsibility that comes with those freedoms. We also teach students how to think and not what to think, and the wonderful relationships our faculty develop with students.”
Photo by Ilana Habib.