Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Title:                  Director of Admissions and Financial Aid                                             

Supervises:       Administrative Assistant to Admissions and Financial Aid

Reports to:       Head of School                                                                                         

FLSA Status:     Exempt

Department:     Senior Administration                                                                             

FT/PT/Temp:    Full-Time , Year-Round

When Needed: 2021-2022 Academic Year 

I’ve never felt so empowered.”
-STS employee

Do you believe in the extraordinary magic that happens when families and educators work in collaboration and with a commitment to shared values? Do you see yourself as an influencer and thinker – leading the Office of Admission and Financial Aid by implementing best practices, while also seeking innovative approaches?

We are seeking a Director of Admission and Financial Aid who is committed to our mission of developing responsible citizens of a global society. Students are at the heart of STS. The admissions process is the first step in creating and sustaining an engaging, dynamic, diverse, and inclusive learning community. Working in close collaboration with the admission team, and as a member of the senior administration, the director intentionally seeks diverse students who will thrive in a community that is fully committed to rigorous academics, character, leadership, social-emotional learning, and innovation.

We have big dreams for our students.

What We Offer

• Commitment to respectful and inclusive community
• Competitive salary
• Robust benefits package
• Commitment to professional growth
• Extraordinary, collaborative work environment

Who We Are:

St. Thomas School, a non-sectarian, Preschool through Eighth Grade school, is one of the oldest independent schools on the east side of Lake Washington. St. Thomas School’s educational journey is defined by a cognitively rigorous program with an emphasis on developing character, leadership, and a passion for learning and achievement. Our mission is to develop responsible citizens of a global society. STS is a recognized leader in developing the whole student. Our core values include gratitude, responsibility, respect, courage, integrity, tolerance, compassion, perseverance, and generosity. STS serves over 370 students and boasts a 70,000 sq. ft. LEED Gold certified campus.

St. Thomas School invites, welcomes, and celebrates diverse cultures, individuals, experiences, and perspectives within our school community and the world beyond our doors.

Job Summary:

Under minimal supervision, manages all aspects of Admissions and Financial Aid for the School.  Directly supervises the Administrative Assistant to Admissions and Financial Aid. Member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Presents the school to prospective students and parents, specifically to include:
• Systematic, efficient, and personalized handling of applications and communication with candidates and their parents
• Planning, organizing and executing Open House events and school tours in order to promote STS to prospective families in and outside of the community
• Representing the school at educational fairs and other promotional events
• Managing the admissions process, specifically to include:
  • Organizing all aspects of admissions assessments, interviews, and training of admissions committees
  • Interviewing candidates and their parents; arranging for admissions testing; securing of necessary student credentials; maintaining and reading of all applicant files; and compassionately communicating final decisions to all applicants and providing appropriate educational counseling as needed
• Establishes, oversees and continually evaluates all aspects of the admissions program, specifically to include:
  • Retaining a clear sense of the most suitable applicants for the school’s mission
  • Maintaining enrollment goals with qualified students and a wait-pool of qualified applicants that consist of at least 20% of the maximum class size for each grade
  • Maintaining family and prospective parent databases
  • Maintaining statistical data on all aspects of the admissions and enrollment program and providing reports and analysis as needed. Provides regular Board reports and does annual presentation with the board once a year
  • Continually monitoring the effectiveness of testing and screening procedures and the appropriateness of student placement at STS
  • Plans new parent social and new family Ice Cream Social,
  • Supervises the Administrative Assistant to Admissions and Financial Aid
  • Keeping the Head of School apprised of any major information or activity that may impact the school or is relevant to admissions or financial aid at the school
  • Managing the re-enrollment process of current students and the enrollment of new students
  • Working collaboratively with the Director of Marketing, and Development Director in order to plan various advertising campaigns and multifaceted strategies to promote the school
• Manages the Financial Aid Process
  • Oversees all aspects of the Financial Aid process
  • Works with families to help understand the financial process and answer questions
  • Leads the Financial Aid Committee in making award decisions
  • Conducts thorough review of financial aid applicants, prepares documentation and recommendations for the Financial Aid Committee
  • Communicates award decisions to families
• Manages the International Student Program 
  • Oversees all aspects of the school policy for international students
  • Verifies the required documents needed for international students
  • Maintains SEVIS certification for the school
  • Administers the application process as it pertains to international students
  • Connects with school Counselor and appropriate Division Director on international students
• Works with Division Directors to manage student retention and events related to student retention
• Establishes, oversees and evaluates continually all aspects of the transition (as students and families enter and leave the school); specifically, this includes:
  • Consulting with the faculty as they facilitate the entry of new students and parents and their transition

• Coordinating transition materials and process for outgoing 8th grade students and their families
• Providing parents with information about public and non-public schools in the area
• Conducting transition meeting with all 8^th graders and their family; assuming responsibility for counseling 8th grade students (and their parents) with regard to the entire high school selection, application, and admissions procedures
• Conducting mock interviews with students to prepare them for their high school visits
• Researching area high schools, boarding schools, public schools and school districts in order to provide 8^th Grade families with support in their school search; cultivating relationships with Admissions Directors at receiving high schools
• Arranging a test prep class for 8^th students to help with their applications to high school
• Overseeing the faculty writing of the requested recommendations for students applying to middle schools and high schools
• Conducting Exit Interviews in the spring and sending of Exit Surveys in the fall to all departing families and presenting a report to the Head of School and Board of Trustees

• Oversees the maintenance of an efficient filing system of all cumulative files for all students, present and alumni
• Oversees the network of parents, former parents, and alumni to assist in the admissions program
• Plans and monitors the Admissions Office budget
• Staff owner for two Parent Ambassador committee: Open House and Applicant Follow Up; recruits and trains parent guides
• Participates in networking opportunities and support for Admissions Directors and marketing representatives at individual schools to plan joint efforts to raise visibility of independent schools generally and to work on specific school-based marketing issues
• Participates in the life of the school and establishes an appropriate campus presence in order to retain a clear sense of the programs and the overall school climate
• Works with the parent and Board volunteers to establish outreach communications for the school
• Makes an effort to know students and families within the school and those in the application process in order to promote positive relationships
• Oversees the Student Ambassador Program with a two-fold purpose of promoting student leadership skills and showcasing student performance; recruits and trains student guides
• Takes a leadership role in the NWAIS Accreditation Process
• Participates in the Strategic Planning of the school
• Keeps accurate permanent records (cumulative files) of students’ testing and academic work
• Maintains an attractive, informative and up-to-date admissions office
• Promotes visitations from Admissions Directors of other area schools, educational consultants, real estate agents, relocation specialists, and psychologists
• Networks and continually communicates with educational consultants, real estate agents, relocation specialists, and psychologists
• Represents the school at relevant state and national conferences and workshops

• Attends weekly senior administration meetings
• Supports the school and its leadership
• Vigorously engages in his/her own professional development
• Establishes and cultivates community relations by maintaining open and candid dialogue with all of the school’s constituencies
• Is familiar with and complies with all policies and regulations as put forth in the school’s documents
• Since safety and security are everyone’s responsibility, takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, faculty, staff, equipment, materials and facilities
• Maintains up to date certification in first aid and CPR
• Performs other duties as assigned