Associate Director of Admissions (Early Childhood through Grade 6)

The Calhoun School, a leading progressive, independent, coeducational day school in Manhattan, seeks a full-time Associate Director of Admissions (Early Childhood – Grade 6) to begin in July 2026.

The Associate Director of Admissions (Early Childhood – Grade 6) leads the recruitment, admissions, and retention processes for Calhoun current and prospective families from Early Childhood through Grade 6. A key focus of this role is supporting the critical transitional years of early childhood - Kindergarten and grades 4-6, ensuring a seamless experience that reinforces student retention and drives new enrollment. The Associate Director must be a champion of the value of a Calhoun PS-12 education and cultivate deep relationships with key educational partners across New York City.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Admissions & Recruitment (EC–Grade 6)

• Primary Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact for all prospective families from Early Childhood through Grade 6.
• Application Management: Oversee the full lifecycle of the application process, including campus visits, parent interviews, and the collection of supplemental materials.
• Mission Advocacy: Articulate the distinct benefits of Calhoun’s PS-12 model, highlighting the advantages of internal progression from Lower to Middle School versus entering in Grades 5 or 6.
  • Clear understanding of Montessori pedagogy and ability to articulate the benefits and advantages of early childhood and lower elementary Montessori structure.
• Community Outreach: Identify and attend community-based outreach events—including school fairs, neighborhood festivals, and individual school visits—to optimize brand exposure and broaden the reach of the Calhoun community.
• Relationship Management: Foster and nurture strategic relationships with preschools and sending schools to promote and grow application volume and to promote strong yield outcomes.
• Yield Management: Deliver expected application and yield outcomes, monitoring show-rates and general engagement levels for the EC-Grade 6 cohort.
• Events & Outreach: Support admissions and retention events, greet families, and ensure the overall impact of each event is realized.

Retention & Data Analysis

• Transitional & Retention Support: Lead retention-focused activities (specifically for the EC to Kindergarten transition and Grades 4–6) to stabilize enrollment.
• Retention Coordination: Serve as the Lower School and early Middle School representative on the Institutional Retention Team, coordinating activities such as homeroom and advisory meetings and community events.
• Data-Informed Strategy: Utilize enrollment and demographic data for NYC and independent schools to interpret trends and inform retention and recruitment strategies.

Innovation & Programming: Design and execute fresh, exciting experiences and events for current and prospective families that reflect current demographic and enrollment trends (ie Cougar Society Student Ambassador Program).