From Application to Admission: Insights for Smarter Enrollment

Enrollment and application processes are critical for schools and districts striving to provide equitable access while minimizing administrative burdens. This blog highlights five actionable insights shared during our recent webinar, which you can watch on-demand here. These tips apply to any charter, magnet, or traditional district school, offering strategies to improve parent experiences and achieve enrollment goals efficiently.

Insight 1: Know When to Ask What

Parents, on average, spend only 30 seconds per application question. Overloading forms increases the risk of abandonment, especially when file uploads are required. Our data shows a 15-30% drop-off rate during applications, with families often failing to return.

Takeaway: Keep it simple. Focus your initial application on essential questions required for decision-making or lottery placement. Save file uploads and additional requirements for the registration phase. Following up diligently ensures families complete the process without feeling overwhelmed.

Insight 2: Equitable Access Goes Beyond ADA Compliance

Accessibility isn’t just about screen readers or color contrast—it’s about meeting families where they are. Different communities rely on various login methods, from phone numbers to email. Readability is another factor: applications should aim for a 7th-8th grade reading level and be easily translatable into key community languages.

Takeaway: Design for inclusivity by:

• Writing in plain language and simplifying complex terms.

• Translating applications into your community's key languages.

• Offering accessibility on multiple devices to fit families' preferences.

These small adjustments can make a big difference in ensuring every family can navigate the process with ease.

Insight 3: Dynamic Waitlists Promote Equity

Traditional waitlists often place late applicants at a disadvantage, even if they belong to a priority group. Dynamic waitlists help schools prioritize these families appropriately, ensuring equity in access. For example, a late-applying family with a sibling at the school might still receive priority within their lottery group.

Takeaway: A dynamic waitlist approach helps schools balance late applications with community priorities. By clearly defining and communicating those priorities, schools can improve transparency and provide equitable opportunities to all families.

Insight 4: Waitlist Yields Decline Over Time

As the school year approaches, families are less likely to accept offers. While 75% of families accept immediately post-lottery, summer yields drop significantly, often requiring schools to make multiple offers for each seat.

Takeaway: Be proactive and responsive:

• Increase the frequency of offers as summer progresses.

• Validate family contact information early to avoid delays.

• Adopt a shorter response window (e.g., 48 hours) as the start of school nears to ensure seats are filled efficiently.

Timely and clear communication is crucial during this high-stakes period.

Insight 5: Easy for Parents Means Easy for Admins

Simplifying the application process doesn’t just help parents—it reduces workload for administrators. For instance, organizing file uploads into a single section or spreading them across the registration process can improve completion rates without overburdening families.

Takeaway: A parent-friendly design minimizes errors and drop-offs while saving administrators time. Iterative improvements, guided by family feedback, can help refine the process over time. Simple changes like these can have a big impact on both parent satisfaction and administrative efficiency.

These five insights offer a roadmap for schools to refine their enrollment processes, ensuring accessibility, equity, and efficiency. Whether you’re a district leader or charter school operator, applying these strategies can make a tangible difference for families and staff alike.

For a deeper dive into these topics, watch the full webinar on-demand here.