(from the Santa Fe New Mexican) Some independent schools in smaller markets are adopting new strategies to strengthen enrollment despite relatively stagnant local economic growth. In 2013, for instance, Santa Fe Preparatory School (New Mexico) launched a short-term fundraising effort called the Strategic Impact Fund to provide financial assistance to specific students for a limited number of years. A student looking for financial help to cover tuition in grades 10-12 might get a three-year grant, for example. The plan helped to boost enrollment from 305 to 330.
Other Santa Fe schools are finding new ways to strengthen student achievement. St. Michael's High School, where enrollment dropped from 600 to 500, recently achieved a five-year high in Advanced Placement test scores. A few years ago the school imposed random drug testing, immediately losing 20 to 25 students. But "by most educational metrics, we are stronger now than we wer when we had new kids," said Taylor Gantt, the school's president.
More at the Santa Fe New Mexican
All news items on NetAssets.org
Listen to the latest episode of the Net Assets podcast.
