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Helen Waldron on Admissions as the First Act of Student Support
Opening Remarks At Beyond the Bell, we often talk about admissions as more than an entry point. Done well, it is the first act of student support. It is where schools begin to understand not just what a student has done, but how they learn, where they have struggled, and where they have the potential…
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The January Belonging Crisis: Why the First Three Weeks Determine Student Retention
Every August, schools pour their energy into orientation, community building, and creating a strong start. But in reality, student retention is not determined in the fall. It is shaped in January, during the quiet first weeks after winter break. January is the most overlooked danger zone of the school year. Students return from home and family…
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The Quiet Students Are Sending Signals. Are We Listening?
Every school has them. The quiet students. The rule followers. The ones who move through hallways without drawing attention, sit in class without issue, complete assignments, and never require intervention. They are easy to celebrate. Easy to overlook. Easy to assume are “fine.” But as more research emerges about belonging, school climate, and adolescent mental…
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The Midyear Reset: Why December Is the Most Overlooked Opportunity in Boarding Schools
Every August, schools pour enormous energy into orientation, community building, and the “start strong” mindset. But by December, that momentum often fades. Students are tired. Dorm staff are stretched. Faculty are buried in grading. Leaders focus on logistics rather than culture. Yet this moment, right before the winter break, might be the most valuable window…
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The Retention Gap: Why Admissions and Student Life Still Operate on Different Planets
In most boarding schools, admissions and student life share the same goal of building a thriving and engaged community. Yet they rarely share the same playbook. One department recruits students, while the other helps them stay. Both depend on one another for success, but their collaboration often fades once orientation ends. This divide creates what…
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The Second Enrollment: How Student Life and Belonging Shape Boarding School Retention
When a student enrolls at a boarding school, the admission office celebrates a milestone. Yet the true test of a school’s culture comes later, when that same student chooses to stay. That decision to re-enroll is what I call The Second Enrollment, the moment when a student decides that this is not just where they attend…
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Should Boarding Schools Adopt Early Decision? A Critical Look at Canterbury’s Admissions Shift
When Canterbury School announced its move to an Early Decision admissions model, many in the boarding school world took notice. A binding enrollment commitment has been common in college admissions for decades, but its introduction into independent secondary schools signals a noteworthy shift in how boarding schools may approach enrollment strategy and student fit in…
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The Power of Choice: Why Student Autonomy Strengthens Retention
One of the persistent misconceptions in boarding schools is that student autonomy is a threat. Some believe that giving students too much choice will weaken discipline, erode traditions, or challenge authority. My experience has shown the opposite. When autonomy is cultivated with guidance, it becomes one of the strongest tools for building belonging, engagement, and…
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Why the Triple Threat Sounds Great on Paper but a Double Play Might Be Better
The “Triple Threat” model in boarding schools has been a hallmark for decades. It asks faculty to teach in the classroom, coach on the field, and supervise in the dorm. It is designed to create a well-rounded, student-centered culture where adults are always nearby to teach, guide, and support. On paper, it is a beautiful…
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Beyond the Lockdowns: How Boarding Schools Have Adapted Nearly Five Years After the Pandemic
As we approach five years since the COVID-19 pandemic changed education globally, it’s clear that boarding schools were among the institutions that had to adapt the quickest. From quarantine measures to virtual learning, the changes schools made during the pandemic not only ensured student safety but also reshaped the entire educational experience. The impact of…