Director of Enrollment and Community Engagement

Director of Enrollment and Community Engagement

Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer

Contract:

230 Days FLSA Status:
Exempt

Position Summary

The Director of Enrollment and Community Engagement serves as the district leader responsible for student enrollment, recruitment, registration, family engagement, and community outreach. This position develops and implements a comprehensive enrollment strategy that attracts, enrolls, and retains students while promoting Arkansas Arts Academy's mission of arts integration and academic excellence throughout Northwest Arkansas.

As the first point of contact for prospective families, the Director serves as an ambassador for the Academy by building meaningful relationships with families, community organizations, businesses, early childhood providers, homeschool networks, and civic groups. The Director oversees all enrollment processes, school tours, recruitment events, community outreach initiatives, and new family onboarding while utilizing data-driven strategies to achieve district enrollment goals.

This position collaborates with district leadership to ensure all recruitment, enrollment, and community engagement efforts align with Arkansas Arts Academy's mission, strategic plan, and commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience.

1. Strategic Enrollment Leadership

• Develop, implement, and evaluate the district's annual Enrollment and Community Engagement Plan.
• Participate in and lead implementation of the AAA Enrollment and Outreach Engagement Seminar, utilizing all associated tools, resources, and training materials.
• Establish annual, quarterly, and monthly enrollment goals aligned with district strategic priorities.
• Utilize the Enrollment Projection Tool to forecast enrollment trends, grade-level capacity, and staffing needs.
• Monitor the Daily Enrollment and Attendance Tracker to identify enrollment opportunities and retention concerns.
• Lead the District Enrollment and Outreach Team through regular meetings focused on continuous improvement and enrollment growth.
• Maintain a strategic enrollment dashboard and recommend improvements based on data trends.

2. Enrollment & Registration

• Coordinate all aspects of student enrollment from inquiry through successful registration.
• Manage applications, lotteries, waitlists, and student records in compliance with Arkansas Department of Education requirements.
• Verify residency, immunizations, transcripts, and all required enrollment documentation.
• Process withdrawals, records requests, and transfers.
• Maintain accurate student records and enrollment reporting.
• Coordinate annual registration and returning student enrollment.
• Manage the yearly lottery enrollment and all processes associated with it.

3. Recruitment & Marketing

• Develop and implement a year-round recruitment strategy designed to increase enrollment and strengthen awareness of Arkansas Arts Academy.
• Organize and lead enrollment events, open houses, information nights, registration events, and Kindergarten Round-Up.
• Coordinate district participation in community festivals, fairs, chamber events, and educational expos.
• Assist with social media campaigns and promotional initiatives supporting enrollment.
• Maintain communication with prospective families from initial inquiry through enrollment.
• Collaborate with district leadership to ensure all marketing materials accurately reflect the Academy's mission and educational opportunities.

4. School Tours & Family Engagement

• Coordinate and conduct personalized school tours for prospective families.
• Develop presentations highlighting the Academy's mission, arts integration model, transportation, academics, and extracurricular opportunities.
• Plan and coordinate Shadow Day experiences for prospective students.
• Ensure timely follow-up after every tour and Shadow Day.
• Coordinate post-lottery communications, acceptance notifications, waitlist updates, and enrollment timelines.
• Develop and oversee comprehensive New Family Onboarding.
• Produce New Family Newsletters to support successful student transitions.

5. Community Engagement

• Serve as the district ambassador by strengthening relationships throughout Northwest Arkansas.
• Develop partnerships with businesses, arts organizations, civic groups, early childhood providers, homeschool organizations, and community agencies.
• Coordinate community presentations promoting Arkansas Arts Academy.
• Represent the district at recruitment and networking events.
• Develop family referral and ambassador programs.
• Support district promotional campaigns and community awareness initiatives.
• Promote district performances, exhibitions, and public events as recruitment opportunities.

6. Student Retention

• Develop systems that improve student persistence and family satisfaction.
• Develop strategies to improve student retention.
• Monitor withdrawal trends and conduct exit interviews when appropriate.
• Analyze enrollment, withdrawal, and demographic data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Recommend strategies to improve…