The 25th annual Crow’s Nest Institute, will be held at the Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport, Maine
June 23 - 25, 2024.

Crow’s Nest seeks admission and enrollment professionals who want to challenge themselves to be a more effective and creative school leader. For 23 years, independent school admission leaders have returned to their campuses from Crow's Nest with a fresh perspective, a clearer sense of their leadership capacity, and the critical insights necessary to develop long-term strategies to sustain school enrollment. Now in its 24th year, the purpose of Crow's Nest remains unchanged: to motivate and enable participants to embrace their role to inspire, collaborate, and lead by meeting challenges with intention, urgency and strength.

We invite you to join us in celebrating 24 years of The Crow’s Nest Institute while embracing your unique personal gifts and strengthening your skills as an enrollment leader and the critical role admissions and enrollment management professionals play at independent schools. In the wake of an unusually uncertain and stressful time for enrollment officers, and in the face of the challenges that lie ahead, we believe these three days of personal and professional growth, rejuvenation, and reconnection will prove invaluable.

Christine H. Baker is President and Founder of The Baker Group and has recently been named the Admission and Enrollment Management services leader at Carney, Sandoe and Associates in Boston MA. The Baker Group is a dynamic, independent school enrollment management consulting firm that specializes in admission and enrollment related audits, director searches, and market research. The partnership with Carney Sandoe will provide a more far reaching platform for this work. Christine and The Baker Group have helped more than 900 independent schools over the past 24 years address enrollment management challenges. Before forming The Baker Group, Chris served as Director of Admission at Milton Academy, and worked for 10 years in college admission at Boston College and Babson College. Chris is also the editor of the NAIS Enrollment Management Handbook. She will facilitate conversations on enrollment leadership based on a five-year perspective on your school, your career, and you.

Monique Devane, Head of School at the College Preparatory School in Oakland, California since July, 2011, is at the top of the list of industry thought leaders. She is a member of the NAIS Board of Trustees, has worked in admissions at Brown University, and served as director of admission at Northfield Mount Herman School in Northfield, Massachusetts and at the Thatcher School in Ojai, California. Monique has also served as director of development at Shady Hill School in Cambridge, Massachusetts and as the Associate Head of School at Hawken School in Cleveland, Ohio. Monique will facilitate conversations on completing the circle: evaluating the correlation between admission reader ratings and student performance.

Scott Looney has been Head of School at Hawken School, Cleveland, Ohio since 2006. The ultimate leader in all things enrollment management, he has introduced successful school initiatives that have improved his school's market position, including improved affordability, and the use of research to enhance program and marketing. Scott is the mastermind behind the Mastery Transcript Consortium and the Mastery School as well as a leader in changing how schools report student mastery and successes. Scott has previously served in the admission offices at the Cranbrook Schools, Lake Forest Academy, and Phillips Academy in Andover. He is an engaging and knowledgeable presenter and author on topics that include access and affordability, technology, marketing, and management. Scott will lead discussions around the “holy triangle of school finance” (class size, tuition and salaries), and how chief enrollment leaders can play in this space.

Katie O'Connell, is the owner of the Dragonfly Yoga Barn, Studio & Retreat Center in North Sandwich NH. She is an Ayurvedic Yoga therapist, ERYT 500, Reiki Practitioner, and Thai Yoga therapist. Katie leads retreats, trainings, and workshops in beautiful locations around the world, including the Colony. Crow’s Nest welcomes Katie back for yoga and more mindfulness training and wellness strategies.

Featured Speakers to be Announced

For more information email us at crowsnest@thebakergrp.com

Crow’s Nest Institute Curriculum

Because independent schools rely on enrollment for the majority of their annual operating income, it is critical that admission directors educate themselves and their schools about:

• Strengthening self awareness and embracing leadershiip skills and the capacity to initiate change

• The shifts in the educational landscape and the most impactful responses to these challenges

• The “holy triangle of school finance”

• The ever-evolving marketing mix

In addition to timely and informative presentations on the marketing challenges we face, “Scanning the Horizon” sessions offer engaging discussion that inspire participants to think more strategically, more creatively, more energetically, and more intentionally about their school’s response.

At Crow’s Nest, we focus on personal development as much as retooling each participant's admission and enrollment management skill set. During the opening “Tending to Your Inner Captain” session, we’ll create space to reflect on who you are as a person, leader, and community member using the Enneagram, an amazing tool for personal and professional self-awareness.

During the three-day program, participants will be encouraged to think differently about how to navigate the rough waters of the education marketplace to position their school to be a beacon that attracts students and families aligned with their school’s mission. This will include strategizing on big picture thinking, clarifying institutional needs, and identifying strategies that will enhance admission operation and enrollment management practices.

Crow’s Nest Institute Schedule

Monday, June 24, 2024

12:30-1:30 — Registration
1:30-2:00 — Welcome, Introductions, Program Overview
2:00-5:30 — Tending to Your Inner Captain
6:30-8:00 — Cocktails and a Maine Lobster Bake
8:00-9:00 — Blueberry Pie and “What’s Next?” Conversation

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

7:00-8:00 — Gentle yoga
7:30-8:45 — Breakfast
9:00-10:15 — Scanning the Horizon
10:30-12:00 — Discussion by Assigned Small Group
12:15-1:15 — Ocean Breeze Luncheon
1:30-2:30 — Scanning the Horizon
2:45-3:45 — Scanning the Horizon
4:00-5:15 — Small Discussion Groups by Topic
6:00-8:00 — Cocktail Reception
8:00 — Dinner on own (There will be a sign-up for anyone interested in dining as a group)

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

7:00-8:00 — Gentle yoga
7:30-8:45 — Breakfast
9:00-10:15 — Refining Your Charted Course
10:30-11:45 — Refining Your Charted Course
12:00-1:00 — Discussion by Assigned Small Group
1:15-1:45 — Working Lunch and “Shout Outs”
1:45-2:00 — Closing comments

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!