Registration
Day for the incoming Class of 2019(!) took place only two months ago, but the
time since has been so hectic that it feels like it was yesterday. It is a
stressful time for private high schools because the admission and enrollment
process is increasingly taking on the look and feel of what has been happening
for years at the college and university level: multiple applications are sent to
a variety of schools in the hopes of landing on one’s “Plan A or B”
college/university.
Here are some
startling statistics: the National Association of College Admission Counselors
reports that, although the number of high school graduates has begun to decline
(and will continue to do so until 2020), growth in the number of applications
per student has increased. NACAC reports that 87% of fall 2010 freshmen
submitted three or more applications, and 25% submitted seven or more
applications. In addition, a large majority of colleges (73%) reported
increased application volume for fall 2010 compared to fall 2009. With few
exceptions, approximately three-quarters of colleges have reported increases
each year for the past decade.
Unhappily, a
similar dynamic is unfolding at the secondary school level; particularly here
in the Pasadena
Happily, the
Class of 2019 frustrated the statistical prediction inherent in the data: the
incoming freshman class is a mere 9% smaller in number than the senior class
who will be graduating in May. And, equally happily, the characteristics of the
incoming class are consistent with their older counterparts:
Ø
male/female ratio is 47%/53%
Ø
29/40 applicants who qualified for Regents Merit
Scholarships (scoring at or above the 96th percentile on the
Entrance Exam) enrolled
Ø
29% of enrolled students received need-based
financial aid (12 students on full tuition-assistance; 11 students on 50%
tuition assistance; 24 students on partial tuition-assistance)
Ø
The Class of 2019 came from 50 elementary
schools (the largest number of schools in ten years) with 53% coming from 10
schools (7 were private/Catholic schools)
Ø
40% of schools sending students to La Salle are Catholic
Ø
For the first time, three of the top ten
“feeder” schools were public middle schools
Ø
54% of students identify as Catholic
Ø
60% of the Class of 2019 identify as other than
European descent
Ø
The freshman parent pledge program was wildly
successful; bringing in well over $131,000 - the second largest outcome in four
out of the last five years
Ø
The average gift from
parents of the Class of 2019 was just shy of $1,000 - the best performance in 9
years
These statistics boldly proclaim
that La Salle is doing just fine in the often
chaotic scramble parents endure in achieving their objective of finding the
“right” school for their child; which causes me to revisit an interesting
finding of the NACAC study. The researchers note that:
Technology also makes it easier for students to apply to multiple
colleges, complicating the job of both secondary school counselors and
admission officers. The ease of applying to multiple colleges creates
disincentives for students to spend time evaluating the “fit” of their college
options. And the increased application volume that results makes it more
difficult for institutions to predict yield.
So, while the
greater Pasadena area continues to experience college-like dynamics in managing
their recruitment and enrollment processes and, La Salle, like its private high
school counterparts, is increasingly reliant upon technology to facilitate the
application process; I am pleased to report that, based on the overwhelming
pleasure parents of the Class of 2019 expressed throughout registration day,
our School continues to enjoy a home/school dynamic which clearly illustrates
that our newest families understand why we are the right “fit” for them.
I
guess the stress of the last two months was worth it…
