Associate Director of Admissions (Early Childhood through Grade 6)

PoCIS New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent school is seeking a full-time Associate Director of Admissions for Early Childhood – Grade 6. This role involves leading recruitment, admissions, and retention processes while supporting transitional years of early childhood. The ideal candidate will have proven admissions experience, strong data analysis skills, and exceptional communication abilities. Responsibilities include overseeing the application lifecycle, managing relationships with educational partners, and articulating the school’s unique offerings. The position requires a Bachelor's degree and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in admissions or fundraising within a PS-12 independent school.
• Strong comfort with data analysis to interpret market trends.
• Exceptional communication with diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective families.
• Oversee the application process including visits and interviews.
• Foster strategic relationships with preschools and sending schools.

Skills

Admissions experience

Data analysis

Communication skills

Relationship building

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Spreadsheets

Database manipulation

Finalsite

Job description

Education Level4 Year DegreeCategoryEducation## DescriptionThe 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).## Qualifications### QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED* Experience: Proven experience in admissions or fundraising, preferably within a PS-12 independent school setting.* Data Literacy: Strong comfort with data analysis and the ability to use data to understand and interpret market trends.* Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate professionally and persuasively with students, faculty, and administration across a broad age range.* Analytical Skills: High proficiency with spreadsheets and database manipulation (Finalsite preferred).* Commitment to Belonging: Demonstrated experience supporting institutional inclusion work; ability to understand multiple perspectives and life experiences. Vehement support for Calhoun’s core identity as a socioeconomically diverse school of and for New Yorkers.* Education: Bachelor’s degree required.### SUCCESS FACTORS/JOB COMPETENCIES* Innovative Thinking: Ability to create "out of the box" events that resonate with modern NYC families.* Relationship Building: Natural ability to foster trust with preschool directors, sending school coordinators, and educational consultants.* Strategic Time Management: Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities across several grade levels.### PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK REQUIREMENTS* Physical: Ability to walk up stairs, stand, sit, and carry admissions materials up to 10 pounds.* Time: Requires occasional evening and weekend work for admissions events and community outreach.