Every charter school leader understands the importance of budget approvals. It’s the lifeblood that facilitates programs, projects, and initiatives. The challenge? Convincing the school board to see the potential and importance of your vision.

Tabling at community events is a golden opportunity for charter school leaders to connect with potential families. As the face of the school, leaders need to ensure their table stands out while genuinely conveying the school’s ethos. Let’s jump right into the do’s and don’ts of creating a remarkable tabling experience!

Do’s:

1. Do Offer a Glimpse of School Culture: Showcase student artwork, class projects, or short video clips of school events. Let the community see and feel the spirit of your institution.

2. Do Showcase Success Stories: Use a mix of visuals, testimonials, and short narratives to highlight the achievements of past and present students. Whether it’s academic accomplishments, community projects, or extracurricular triumphs, these stories can provide tangible proof of the positive outcomes associated with your school.

3. Do Train Your Representatives: Ensure everyone at the table can speak passionately and knowledgeably about your school. Quick refresher sessions before the event can help align the team. Consider having a script prepared to help your team navigate conversations with parents.

4. Do Have Clear Signage: Invest in a clear, compelling banner or backdrop. Your school’s name, motto, and some captivating visuals should be visible even from a distance. Include these details on any swag you plan on handing out as well to act as reminders for those who stop at your table.

5. Do Engage Children: Remember, kids are your prospective students. Have some fun, educational activities to engage them. Think puzzles, interactive storyboards, or even simple DIY crafts related to learning.

6. Do Offer Unique Takeaways: Beyond just brochures, pens, and bags, offer something memorable. Custom bookmarks, school stickers, or even seeds to plant with a tagline like “Grow with Us” can make a lasting impression.

Don’ts:

1. Don’t Overwhelm with Information: While it’s tempting to share every detail, too much information can be off-putting. Choose key points and display them clearly.

2. Don’t Stick Only to the Table: Don’t just stay behind the table- get out in front of it! Wear your brightest school colors and engage with attendees, walk around, and initiate conversations. Make your presence felt.

3. Don’t Neglect Presentation: A cluttered table can be as off-putting as an empty one. Ensure your table is organized, visually appealing, and reflective of your school’s values.

4. Don’t Forget the Personal Touch: Avoid going fully digital. Personal stories, handwritten notes from current students, or a message board where attendees can leave their thoughts can add warmth to your presentation.

5. Don’t Be Unprepared for Questions: Potential families will have queries. Ensure you’re prepared with answers, especially for frequently asked questions about curriculum, teaching methodology, and student support.

6. Don’t Forget the Follow-Up: Collect emails or contact details willingly given and ensure you have a plan for post-event engagement, whether it’s a newsletter, an open day invite, or a personal thank you note.

Tabling at community events is more than just setting up a stand; it’s an opportunity to introduce the heart and soul of your charter school to the community. With these do’s and don’ts, charter school leaders can make the most of this chance, ensuring they leave a lasting impression on prospective families.

Need more students? We can help: https://choosecharters.com/schedule/

Ahh, Friday the 13th: the notorious day of superstitions, black cats, and avoiding walking under ladders. When it comes to student recruitment for charter schools, there are some strategies that can be as unlucky as stepping on a crack in the sidewalk. Let’s delve into these antiquated and ineffective methods that are sure to bring bad luck to your enrollment numbers…

👎 ❌ Old-Fashioned Flyers: Just as many wouldn’t trust an 8-track player to provide the soundtrack for a party today, relying solely on handing out old-fashioned flyers to get the word out about your school is out-of-date. Not only are these easy to lose or discard, but they also don’t engage the modern parent who’s often looking for dynamic and digital ways to learn about educational opportunities. There is a time and a place for flyers, like community events, just don’t let them serve as your primary means of community engagement.

👎 ❌ The Hands-Off Approach: Imagine planting a seed and expecting it to thrive without regular watering. Similarly, once you’ve garnered the interest of a prospective family, letting them drift away without a personal touch is like leaving that plant to wither. While emails offer a level of convenience, there’s nothing quite like the personal connection achieved through a phone call. Hearing a voice, answering questions in real-time, and understanding concerns directly can build trust and rapport faster than an email ever could. Just as you wouldn’t neglect watering a plant and still expect it to grow, you cannot neglect prospective parents and expect enrollment to flourish. Prioritize those phone calls; they can make all the difference.

👎 ❌ Sloppy Presentation & Outdated Branding: First impressions matter. When you show up at events with a disorganized presentation that still sports that website/logo design from a decade ago, it sends a message that your school may not be in tune with the current times. Potential families are looking for modern, organized, and relevant educational experiences for their kids, and if your initial presentation doesn’t match up, they might not give you a second glance.

👍 ✅ The Clear Path to Better Recruitment: Stepping into the future requires letting go of past tactics and embracing new strategies that the best charter schools are already using. Digital automation for outreach and marketing is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. From automated email campaigns that reach parents at the right time with the right message, to social media outreach that targets specific audiences, these tools ensure consistent and effective communication. Moreover, digital automation frees up valuable time, allowing schools to focus on what they do best: educating and nurturing students.

If you’re ready to escape the bad luck cycles of outdated outreach methods and instead want a student recruitment plan that lets you recruit while you sleep, it’s time to call in the experts. Lincoln Barretta is leading the way with new digital strategies that revolutionize student recruitment! No superstitions or good luck charms are required- we use tried and proven digital enrollment techniques for the modern era.

Start changing your luck today with a free consultation from Choose Charters’ student recruitment experts. Don’t leave your enrollment efforts to chance! 🎲

Charter school leaders often find themselves playing a high-stakes student recruitment game that closely resembles Whack-a-Mole. They’re endlessly hammering down on fleeting enrollment opportunities, hoping to hit the jackpot. But just like the classic arcade game, this approach is both exhausting and rarely effective. Let’s learn how to craft proactive, creative student recruitment strategies to make your school stand out!

Why Whack-a-Mole Doesn’t Work

The “Whack-a-Mole strategy” is purely reactive. When we react, we miss out on the chance to set the stage, tell a compelling story, or connect deeply with potential students and their families. Reactive strategies also mean that schools are always a step behind, struggling to keep up with a constantly shifting enrollment environment.

Embrace Creativity

To truly capture the attention and hearts of potential students and parents, schools must think outside the box. The market is flooded with traditional open houses and tours. While they have their place, schools should consider diversifying their outreach initiatives. Here are some fresh ideas to spark interest.

Paint and Click Event: Invite parents and kids for a fun-filled day of art. Not only do they get to see the school and learn about its curriculum and programs, but they also walk away with a beautiful painting. As they paint, they can click – on the school’s online application page, that is.

Welcome Back BBQ: A good old BBQ never fails to draw a crowd. Throw in a bookbag giveaway, and you’ve got a winning formula. It’s a relaxed atmosphere that gives parents and students a taste of the school community, literally and figuratively.

Virtual Reality Tours: In an age of technology, why limit tours to the physical realm? Offer virtual reality tours where parents and students can experience the school from the comfort of their homes.

Direct Outreach Still Matters

Even as we embrace new methods, never underestimate the power of direct communication. Personal phone calls, texts, and emails can have a profound impact on enrollment efforts. It shows families that the school genuinely cares about their child’s education. Remember, many parents are overwhelmed by the plethora of educational options available. A timely and personal touch might be just the thing to tilt the scales in your favor.

In conclusion, it’s time for charter school leaders to put away the mallet and step out of the Whack-a-Mole arcade. By adopting a more proactive and creative approach to student recruitment, they can paint a vivid picture of their school, engage parents, and foster a thriving educational community, all of which will fill classrooms over time.

Parents and students often find themselves facing a complex web of schooling options- from traditional public schools with their challenges to homeschooling with its distinct limitations, many are on the hunt for a balanced tuition-free schooling alternative.

So, where does this leave parents looking for something different? Enter the third option – charter schools. Let’s clear up some of the misconceptions about these choice schools once and for all!

❌ Misconception #1: Charter Schools Are Essentially Reform Schools

Some individuals erroneously associate charter schools with the images of “troubled” inner-city institutions meant solely for reform. In reality, charter schools span a wide range of academic focuses, environments, and cultures. They could be technology-oriented, arts-focused, or even project-based learning institutions. Their diversity is their strength.

❌ Misconception #2: They Lack Accountability

Another common myth is that charter schools, being free from many district-level regulations, lack accountability. While it’s true they have more flexibility, they are still held to state standards and are accountable to their charter authorizers. Often, they face more rigorous accountability than traditional public schools due to the specifics outlined in their charter agreements.

❌ Misconception #3: Charter Schools Drain Resources from Public Schools

One of the most prevalent myths is that charter schools take away funds from public schools, thereby depleting resources for students in traditional settings. In reality, the funding mechanism for charter schools varies by state. Typically, funding follows the student. So, if a student chooses to attend a charter school, the funding designated for that student’s education goes with them. It’s not about draining resources but redirecting them based on the choices families make. Moreover, in many states, charter schools often operate on less per-pupil funding than their traditional public school counterparts, and they don’t have access to facilities funding in the same way district schools do.

The Benefits of Charter Schools

Now that we’ve cleared the fog surrounding charter schools, let’s highlight the positive impacts charter schools are having across the country:

✅ Innovation in Teaching: With flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods, charter schools can adopt innovative approaches to education that might be harder to implement in traditional settings.

✅ Specialized Programs: Many charter schools offer specific programs tailored to certain talents or interests, such as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math), college prep, or bilingual education.

✅ Dedicated Educators: Charter schools frequently draw in teachers who are committed to delivering quality education for students from all walks of life, emphasizing merit and individual potential.

✅ Smaller Class Sizes: Many charter schools pride themselves on maintaining a smaller student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring more personalized attention which has significant long-term effects on student achievement.

✅ Parental Involvement: Charter schools often encourage (and sometimes require) parental involvement, fostering a community-centered learning environment.

✅ Diverse Learning Environments: With a variety of charter schools available, parents can select an environment that best matches their child’s learning style and educational needs.

While no single educational option can cater to the needs of all students, charter schools provide a valuable alternative in the spectrum of choices. They bridge the gap between traditional public schools and homeschooling, offering a middle ground where innovation and tailored education can flourish. Let’s keep the conversation open, dispel the myths, and embrace the benefits charter schools bring to the table!