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Independent School Moonshot Podcast
Inside Providence Country Day School's Four-Year Journey to Nearly Double Enrollment
Jan 21, 2025
Kevin Fullen, Head of School at Providence Country Day School, shares his remarkable journey in transforming the school’s enrollment from 200 to 375 students in just four years. He discusses their bold tuition reset and innovative strategies, including launching a global online academy and merging with a nearby laboratory school. The conversation dives into navigating COVID-19 challenges, fostering community ties, and embracing change. Fullen emphasizes the importance of adaptability in leadership and the courage to innovate in education, offering valuable insights for school leaders.
31:28
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Quick takeaways
- Providence Country Day School's dramatic enrollment growth was driven by a strategic tuition reset, reducing costs by 36% to attract more families.
- The successful merger with a neighboring school aimed to unify operations and enhance educational continuity, addressing initial community skepticism through transparent communication.
Deep dives
Transforming Enrollment Through Strategic Changes
Enrollment growth was a primary focus upon the arrival of the new head of school, Kevin Fullen, in 2019. Initially overseeing a day school with 200 students, Fullen's vision involved expanding from grades six to twelve to include pre-K through twelve, ultimately increasing enrollment to 375 students. This was achieved by addressing competitive tuition rates and re-evaluating the school’s demographic positioning, which revealed a concerning trend of declining birth rates in the Northeast. By actively engaging with the community and understanding the needs of prospective families, the school aimed to create a compelling narrative that would resonate with both current and future students.
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