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2022 High School Admissions Director Panel Discussion

Added May 24, 2022 •

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A panel of admissions directors answer questions and give tips to our current 6th and 7th grade families.

Show Transcript

thank you guys for making time today be here really would appreciate it and I are our parents always come back afterwards and tell us how much they've learned to sorry that was my cat no matter what we tell them or how much we try to explain things they they just hear it better from you and so it's greatly appreciated truly peso per our panelists if you want to let you know we do have current 6th and 7th grade families on the call today so we open this up to Rising 7th graders he wanted to start to give them a little bit of a head start we invited them to our sort of High School information night that we hosted about a month ago and so we thought we would also include them in there so you'll start to well today you don't really see them but you will start trying to see them maybe for two years running has began this process as you guys are probably aware as well we now have double classes in our 8th grade our whole school is not double classes so we're working on placing almost twice as many kids as we have in the past we had a wonderful year Shuffle year this year so we're really excited to continue doing so I think we're going to go ahead and get started since its 6 and everybody's time is that I said really precious right now so first and foremost I want to follow. my sentiments and thanking all of our panelists for being here actually think Corey is not on yet so if Corey does something from boredom will let him answer some questions too but I want to thank you all for being here I think that the is a very unique opportunity that we give our students and having a really such a distinguished and channel of people here who really serve our school wonderfully we have so many great students at all of your schools and we're appreciate of the work that you do with us I'm too to Showcase your school's to figure out what students will be good fits and and really work altogether to place our students across many schools but in particular you are so thank you guys for being here I meant well of our sixth and seventh grade feelings I want to thank you guys for joining us tonight to I know as we get closer to the end of the school year is easy to start to zone out a little bit but this is an important opportunity to prepare for the summer and start getting ready to fight about school that you want to look into a little bit more as the fall approaches because when September rolls around we are hitting the ground running and it's really a Mad Dash to the Finish Line at that point so I'm going to Alfred and just call your name is I see you on the screen and you guys can introduce yourself and then we'll go ahead and get started with the question Kelly after they introduced if you wanted to say a few words is that your first on my screen if you want to introduce yourself hi everybody my name's Amy Mullen and I hung kalepa school admissions at Sacred Heart and it's nice to be here Eevee MC Gregor and the director of admissions and financial aid at Xavier I've been at Xavier for 20 years and those ends the last six years I've been working in admissions Adeline everybody my name is Madeline Metzler I'm the director of admissions scholarship and financial aid at American Academy of pleasure to be here and I look forward to answering your questions my name is Corey Panther I'm the associate director of admissions at Fordham Prep proud member of the class of 2007 looking forward to talking to you guys big daddy want to go home hi my name is Lisa Chu and I the associate director of admissions for middle and upper school at Marymount I look forward to answering all your questions today as well hi I am VI my name is Arthur the director of admissions at the school always a thrill and an honor to be here to hopefully give some information to upcoming that seventh and eighth-grade parents and anything I can do to help please let me know great well I'm going to finish this up to your welcoming our students and parents to this event and most especially welcoming our admissions directors as I said I know it is a very busy time of year but you have something to offer that only you can offer which is insight into the admissions process We Begin this process the first year that I was that I can say Stephen of Hungary School and what I found it was while many people did a great job of going to open houses and getting information about specific schools they greatly misunderstood and lacked information about the whole admission process but we have them help them with on our side of it but in terms of how you process their application what you're looking for specifically in trying to make that match and how best to present themselves have a good fit I'm not just to be accepted but you have a good bed which is something that all of you have been to start us from time to time and service that's what you is about a parent's I hope you understand this is an opportunity for that kind of information you're still plenty of opportunities for open houses in specific school-wide information so thank you let's get started you guys have done this year you're know the drill and I'll go ahead and ask a question and whoever sort of wants to jump in and answer first please feel free to go ahead and we'll just sort of jump right into it the first question that we came up with was how important is standardized testing how much does that weigh into the decision-making process as well as what other factors are considered in the admissions decision process so does someone want to get started I would say it's important but it's not the most important but it's important it's hard of a total picture we require at Sacred Heart the independent school entrance exam otherwise you would take our internal test but we require minor casting it does way into the to the process honestly are everything an interview your teacher recommendations on your grades but the most important note is important free letting you go ahead since you had jumped in this despite the major movement of colleges going test optional or just doing away with standardized testing unfortunately we we we at Fordham Prep and I guess many of the other schools here we still need that information it provides us some insight into your a bit when it comes to course placement you do at Fordham Prep we offer individual territory courses as well as honors and AP courses and that information is just useful but it doesn't determine your journey life your your your trajectory at Fordham fast cuz we obviously have students who did decent or average on exam scores but yet they come to Florida and they are straight A students taking four and five honors and AP classes so it helps us in many ways and that's why we asked for your transcripts from 7th grade and 8th grade and some school is also asked for 6th grade report card on and if we need more information we will ask you for that whether it be recommendations we're on to ask you to sit in on another assessment so we we try to get a holistic view of who you are as a student and it only helps us set you up for Success over the four years should we offer it that that that offer of admission Marymount test optional so that is you can provide your IB scores or s AP scores on but we actually do our own in-house assessment with a writing prompt and a math assessment as well in terms of how important is it is something that you feel that can add another layer in mention to your to your file that is wonderful but it is more of a holistic approach that we take me want to make sure we get to know each student their personalities but also we do read the the recommendations really careful as well as looking at the transcript by Corey Corey we we do ask for more information whether it be a teacher connecting with another teacher at your school to ask about your work ethic 40 in character as well so we like to pick him more of them janick ballistic approach but yes if you would like to provide those test scores feel free to do so but would you do our own in-house testing is jump on after Lisa the we we do require testing I think that we always say that we're first of all we're dealing with students and not numbers and you guys really I think that anybody here will say that or it's so I know there are other schools not represented here that are very much numbers given and we are not and I don't think any of your numbers given we're looking at a lot of different aspects Weatherby the application itself which is very important to us as important as honestly as other factors in the cross there are great students who are not a great fit for us is because they didn't put the effort into their application so I think that's really important to understand I would say of course I would say our are required but they're a Baseline and honestly like our admissions committee and I don't know what other we would much prefer look at the trajectory of grades over the course of two and a half years then looking at two and a half hours of test two and a half hours and nothing is a snapshot and happy years is is a trajectory of learning play Echoes what you just said to me so in many ways we are required tests as well as we require the tax exam which is the test for admission into Catholic High School that is a requirement for any and all students who choose to apply to DEA and one of the reasons for that is that as no longer School it's really important for us that we need to see that students are capable of the level of work that we expect of our students that being said as Steve said a test is only a snapshot of how do you perform within a couple hours of time it's really important that the tests are accompanied by those other supporting factors your grades in school from six seventh and eighth grade your letters of recommendation should you choose to submit them your information provided in your supplemental application test scores are important. At least they're the only common element that we have for all of the many hundreds of students to apply and so they can be a helpful data point in that every school grades differently preschool places importance on different factors but that is the one common element that we can at least refer to if not based all of our decisions on and I think you know as as my colleagues you know it really is a matter of whether you're a good fit and there are some excellent students who might not be a good fit but that's why we take a look at this other things as well tackle the point of everyone on the on the panel well it does require testing and as Steve said and others at the whole currently testing provides ferocity of snapshot and turn them how soon is a baseline of Benchmark in terms of where they are equally or just as important is also great evaluation recommendations for us as one of the differentiators for us is that because we do see students from a number of different areas we allowed different time but you just have to take one so either the icess 18 or the hspt which is what a lot of the other schools in the area also require so one of those three again to Echo the same sentiment from all of them same type of thing in terms of testing does for all set with and I just want to Summer it will go ahead Kelly I just wanted to jump in when we have a question from a participant how do you say are in the covid-19 here and I want to hear from you but also want to mention to our parents that when our students did not take the state tests or took half of the state test which is what that or should I ask last year we continued offering or giving the measures of academic progress the map testing three times a year which gives a national percentile is so we regularly share. results with you as you know I'm to provide you with the information for a national level but just anyone just want to speak to that for a moment with if they didn't take the state test you know have those other standardized how you are accommodating I'm happy to jump in again. So we are all aware that the students an enormous amount of time by being home on I can certainly speak for this year and last year we it was a major consider an admission call Ice Mike Davis same every student was affected by it and we saw a difference and all I can say is we absolutely have taken it into consideration and continue to I know that it affected every single student that will be the case for a number more years so we are well aware we can restore difference across the board posting grades both in standardized testing do you know a ninja generally and meeting students in their approach and their attitude and how they handled it so we we take it into consideration I see everybody nodding so I think everyone did you want to add to that go ahead for next several years so it's something for us that we're well aware of we definitely give consideration to that to all of our half because it did affect everyone regardless of where they went or what schools are where the where they are coming from so for us that is something that all out consideration when it comes to admissions so I just I quickly wanted to summarize something for all of the participants and if I get this wrong or miss one I want you guys to jump in but for the people the piano is that are here today so they've Yer Fordham Prep and Bacon Academy all except the tax exam so that's the exam that all of our students be encouraged to take the first Friday in November and you list three schools on the exam and those three schools that are here along with a bunch of others but those here that would be the test that you take for them for Marymount they accept a certain test entrance exams but they also have their own assessment same with Sacred Heart they have their you can take a process take Sacred Hearts if that's not correct but you also require that I fear that SSH key determined that the students to our nominee they will take our internal past students to or not we require the independent school entrance exam I'll go ahead Lisa Butler scholarship process in which you have to be that you didn't have to attend a Catholic school and and or baptized Catholic and be nominated by your school as well that's a separate process if you're applying to the regular process we are test optional and we do you administer our own in-house exam schedule for just to piggyback on both of you for all the purchase I spoken to both Amy and Lisa this week's those nominations are due in early September so we will be working on that as we go into the end of the school year and over the summer and then last but not least at Loyola hspt I see in sshd is that correct one of those three so I can piggyback off of or a quarry I I don't want to speak zactly but I'm pretty sure that we have the same process so so we will we accept we require that the hspt in order to be considered for a merit scholarship and so that can be taken at either of our schools or Regis or through Loyola and we share across schools if you're applying to so but it's the same form regardless of where you're taking the test so but that does that does that is an impact and I would say the numbers of dropped but I mean it's like three times we had probably 70% of our students taking the yeah and I I know the idea of taking multiple exams it is scary to everyone but if you were to take more than one exam meeting you sat for text but you also could be hspt at Regis and girls and thinking that's a independent or boarding school at least at Fordham Prep you can submit as many exams as you want we will look at all of them compare and we will look at the at your at your highest score as your truest academic potential if he will sell just also wanted to put that in there as well but once you application of at least you know after September one you'll receive communication information will be updated on the website of that process for Merit Scholarships or financial aid testing requirements be sure to submit that application early so you can be in the loop throughout the admissions process leading up to the deadline which for which at least before the prep and I think Xavier is somewhere in a late November December and in an effort to try and make that less confusing I probably made it slightly more confusing but like going to any of the school's website which is what we will tell you to do for the whole process you will know exactly what each School requires and as said before we recommend that you sort of keep a page of notes about each school you're looking at so you can make sure that you are on top of what their requirements are and what you've done you guys have all touched on this a little bit so I might I figure we may as well skip to go to it how is financial aid determine who should apply I think you have talked a little bit about sometimes how financially it is determined the who should apply is definitely a big question for our family but if you guys can all give us a quick summary best for families to determine that that would be great if you want we'll all just go across my screen so Steve here first for me if you want to just give a quick response to that any family who cannot it does not believe bacon pay the full amount to apply for an aid and that you have a better shot of getting financial aid then you do bore getting a merit scholarship so Starships Are highly competitive ages very very fluid in a lot of it depends on other like other intervening factor is not just about income expenses news about assets and liabilities so you know if you have children in college or children we we should have need dollar-for-dollar any Catholic High School or Catholic grammar school cost so that's something that's like on the part of our boards to be able to do that yeah it's in Topeka Steve said I think the 2:15 wishon is it is at the $22,000 mark for a year if you believe you you can only afford $21,000 please apply for financial aid we have families receiving award from from from $1,000 all the way up to almost full tuition rates so strongly encouraged that you apply and I should apply early at least by the deadline cannot it is very difficult to deal and work with families who have applied for financial aid very late in the process especially after a lot of these boards have been decided upon so again we experienced this every year but please do that shortly after submitting the application and we will try to ensure we put our best foot forward and helping you afford afford proper education when you're next on my screen if you want to go search n g or that we offer merit-based scholarships which are different than me based grants I know some of the private schools will just want to wish assistance into one category we do segment for two and so for students who are interested in being considered for Merit Scholarships you don't need to do anyting extra you need to make sure you cover your bases in terms of taking the tax submitting your application and your materials on time but otherwise we will invite you to participate in our scholarship process which includes an in-house exam an interview that will take place in January of this upcoming year for Rising 8th graders and so you don't need to submit an application or receive a nomination I will be determined based on your performance on tax exam as well as the strength of the other materials used to mitad we will award a few folks which in scholarships many many partial tuition scholarship could range from 3/4 to 1/3 to half in terms of need-based financial aid some of some other folks have said on here don't be discouraged if you think oh well I'll never qualify for financial aid financial aid can be a consideration for any family For Whom the tuition is $1 above what they can reasonably uncomfortably pay so we encourage you to submit a request for need-based Aid through which is the third party that collects your financial information securely we do ask that you respect the deadline to submit those materials we can only consider. Has that are submitted in time for the deadline for need-based Grants and I were able to cover up to 50% of the year's tuition in the base tuition assistance some students will receive both married and the best friends really depends on your family's unique situation and fortunately we're small enough that we can really look at each case on an individual basis and make those determinations so that a private school education is not prohibitive after you if you really do feel Dominicans the place that's the best fit for you you're next on my screen if I know you spoke in a little bit to the scholarship program but no worries everyone here to encourage families if they feel the tuition maybe something that will be a challenge for them to apply through on ffs, and we do encourage families to apply early and just Mitch and to have your your your ffs portfolio in good standing so that when we do come to making decisions in the in in the winter that we have all of your information I'm ready to go to committee and to be honest but also to know that that this is something that we're encouraging All Families because it kept tuition School tuition is increasing I want to make sure that families have that opportunity to apply and are financially dollars are covering K through 12 for families new and for current families as well and be sure to have all of your information in early on so that we can make those decisions and not after the process which is a lot more difficult if all of our financial aid dollars are already committed so definitely get all that I'm in I am tired this is very I should wear using tabs so that is the other organization that we use to submit all of your financial aid application can I say one thing almost every school here is using a different platform and so that becomes a bit of a challenge for families if they're fine for Aid do you have to be used to working on multiple platforms will there be a success facts that we use bear I believe that the export of property uses pads like there's a whole host of different platforms that so basically the same information is just creating multiple accounts which is like reading a really good calendar or I do map out different timelines on because every school has slightly different time line when things are due so I think I would really encourage you to like have that set up over the summer they will be up for the class 7 I mean schools are so yeah thank you Steve I was going to say that and at least we have portals that you can utilize to help you track your progress so you have very easy to see what you submitted what you need to submit what are optional materials what a required materials so as long as you stick to the admissions portal after you created the account after September one then I think that will be your key to success and just checking that periodically across the four-month span and emailing us if you have any questions like asking if we receive certain materials that's fine but each school does have a portal in an Ideal World they could have been they would all be linked but unfortunately we're not there yet but I think using the portals is your is your key to stay organized and hopefully being a minute did you want to speak to buy until Aid the others will decide if we use SSS you will when you fill in your application you'll be asked to put a checkmark whether or not you're applying for financial aid and if you are then you'll receive information separate to that with regards to Merit Aid or merit award those are determined by grades test scores and interview basically the process and really stinks tune to really shine through in the process and those are very competitive search financial aid that's awarded to about 35% of our students at those can range from say 10% of twisting all the way out in your nearly 90% of question but it is limited in terms of who is older financial aid so we do encourage families to apply apply early and to make sure to stick to the deadline if they have any questions or only reach out now I mean did you want to add anything my colleague covered most of it but it's Sacred Heart if you are nominated a contest you are eligible for a merit scholarship everybody is eligible for that regardless of income financial aid is need base and obviously the situation is high as prohibitive or many people about 70% of families who apply to law school need financial aid so I say first and foremost very normal you know for sure all this price to be prohibitive for people so don't feel uncomfortable with that and then be very straightforward about it strictly need-based get expenses. Number of children income the more information you give us the better I'm very upfront with everyone giving money away is the best part of my job we have a super generous financial aid budget we we're a committee and I think we evaluate it really well so you know just as everyone said Adia to the deadlines get the information in as soon as you can questions in Sound Beach there was a yes thanks for answering that question all of the financial aid I believe that we're talking about here is now not due back it's not a loan you do not need to pay that back it is financial tuition support that is given from the schools but that is a good question because that it does come in college so it will be coming out Corey sort of hit on this a little bit so I'll let everyone speak to it I wanted to jump ahead to what advice would you give a family going through the process for the first time and I'm Corey really spoke to one of my biggest things that I like to say the family is really follow the portals make if each of you we can go again the way that I see you on my screen if you want to starting with Steve want to just give one or two little tidbits of advice to first-time families going through the process or even second time cuz we know it is different for every child I would say take deep breaths and try to stick to the timelines doesn't mean he's a good buy and how about you my favorite piece of advice and I think it really is worth taking into consideration especially as a first-time family applying we live in New York City do we have an incredible wonderful schools for you and your families to consider it's really tempting to cast a wide net and say oh my gosh I'm going to apply to all these fantastic Schools public Etc then think about your calendar of deadlines and think about all the portals you need to manage and think about all the exams need to schedule so I would really encourage you to do is to as of our tonight start this process early really make a schools that do feel like a fit for your family and visit them contact the admissions folks ask questions that you can Whittle down that list and really focus your intention on schools that will be a good fit and where you can see your child and your family being happy and successful otherwise you're spreading yourself too thin it creates a tremendous amount of stress and you're not able to shine your brightest in the processes that going to be the most interesting for you so we really do try to focus your attention early maybe say I'm only going to look at private and Catholic I'm only going to look at public and Catholic but don't apply to every school Under the Sea because it'll catch up and it's it takes the focus away from finding a fit do they say you're next on my screen sorry thanks so yes just to Echo Madeline just be intentional about the schools that you are going to be applying to it is a daunting process Ashley for first time or even second time families going through this process the best way is to do the research go on their website if they're open houses that are happening in the fall or in the spring definitely take schools up on those offer and I'm just like you're doing today where you're you're visiting this panel that's provided by the oil just having those opportunities where you can connect with perhaps you know some students if you if there's a panel at the open house where you can virtually why don't you and ask questions of students there on the panel ask questions of Faculty members and then you know you can also reach out to the admissions office if you're applying perhaps we can connect you with our R1 designated families who can speak with you and kind of Shepherd you through this process or meet with some of our for our students as well I think those are really key touchpoints where you can kind of get to Noah's school during the October times and hopefully will be back session with with some version of Tours and in-person interview but definitely getting to know the community and that way I just showing up and asking questions and and and seeing if it is the right side where you where you can see yourself contributing community that you feel you can see your family in as well as we are we imagining that for the fall we are very excited because for high school in September 2023 we have a new building opening up on 97th Street and so that is something we're trying to figure out whether or not if families tour the Fifth Avenue Cafe it won't be the campus that their daughters will be in hurting when they come in in the fall of 2023 site is looking better and better and more like the bills and more like the renderings on her website so we're hopeful to have maybe an in-person panel or something like that so we're putting all our heads together and figuring that out as we speak teach him Atif did you want to give any advice I think your parents take a deep breath we're here to help to all of the all the people who are on this panel here to help you through the process and shepherding you there is a school for everyone here so don't don't worry about it there will you will find a place for your son or daughter as you go through again to Echo with Stephen Curry and please do follow our deadline date that is very helpful broad especially with our deadlines and trying to get out decisions on time to families at Loyola we do have an early decision process so if there was there a fan interested in finding out earlier those deadlines dates are a little bit different but you will find out your admissions decision in December and then you will find out for those applying regular decision they will find out in the gym with regards to admittance into the school but we're here to help so please feel free to reach out to any and all of us to help you through any words of wisdom I mean I think my colleagues everything I would just say trust the process I really think that simple and think Stevens is a wonderful School wonderful program listen to Jen and tell her we all got to know students and you know just try and not listen to the Shafter and the only thing I'll say is there's not one school but for you that there are many schools it it's not what school go to Ghost with what she does with it when she gets that it said there's there's a lot of wonderful programs in schools so just be open-minded did you have anything what you said before yeah yeah absolutely I mean I got Smile by my final words would be Carlos about for the for the applicants boys and girls try to think about what environment you want to be surrounded by the types of students what the school offers what the school allows you to be a common experience in Explorer I think especially because you're going to be living with these people both teachers and other students for 4 years throughout the throughout the day so it's a pretty important decision to definitely tune in to that and then parents just stop it's a Sprint this process it is is happen quicker than you realize but again like I just mentioned we are here to help you and we understand you have work commitments a life commitment are you trying to feed your kids we are here to help you through this process and we'll have fun doing it so come September we look forward to meeting you and your family go to one last question that we had on here all of that was really great advice so thank you guys I think that it does sort of reiterate what Kelly and I and others to your talk about but it's great to hear it from you guys and it's nice to know that we're giving good advice who said that was great of the last question then I'll ask and then once we get through this if there are any other questions will take them this one's a little more in-depth but if you guys have a few sentences to give about it that way everyone can have a quick chance to answer does your school prioritize diversity diversity of race academic achievement 8th and its admissions process and if so what are the practical measures that you take in the decision-making process to ensure that diversity I know lots of schools are working on diversity and inclusion and so if you guys could just speak maybe briefly to what that looks like in your school and we'll make it will go backwards this time so Corey will start with you absolutely I mean you know what diversity is is is at the top at the top of our list these days what do I mean by that we're located in the Bronx on the northwest section of Fordham University's campus our students can come over 110 zip code approximately 65% of our students Westchester 25 from the Bronx arising 22 to almost 24% from Manhattan I mean you're talkin different socioeconomic racial backgrounds African American Hispanic a Muslim Buddhist Jewish Hindu agnostics there's no requirement to become baptized or confirmed Catholic what are the dates on abortion right you will talk about where where where where do we find God and I'll do I'll do you view religion in your particular family or in your experience and perspective we we we haven't various clubs in place that students can identify with all the food in the culture and you want to learn a little bit about the language then join that club and you will go from Fordham Prep and other sister schools in so we we we embrace the diversity it's important that we remain diverse from an admission standpoint and and and we want to be a school that mirror the New York City environment and you know I think as long as you're open to growth and you are willing to dive in and give more of yourself I firmly believe that you will receive that in turn on end. Yes so earthwell in reading the question we don't prioritize because of diverse today I try and create a diverse class which is reflective of the city in the world that we live in I don't look at it and put that race culture religion above anything I do not do that but I I do create a class has racially different cultural different religions you know we roll we also identifies Catholic but we have 25% students of different regions socio-economic geographical so I think we bring in about 35 new students find create a diverse class but we will be 35 students to identify students of color if we want to reference it from that aspect but I think just creating a very diverse class happens as we go the process but no priority is given to a student because of diversity artist do you want to speak to a little kind of has a me and Corey said that we were looking where in New York City and New York City itself is a diverse environment and we want to have a student body that represents New York itself and I think that's represented in terms of our students is represented where they come from their backgrounds their socio-economic the racial Geographic religious diversity at the school all of our school that we've reflect that diversity of New York City and it's a real-world environment that we're trying to to our families and to our students and that's by showing what is out in the world outside of our own respective neighborhood and I think that's usually important especially as we're trying to prepare not just for college but also for Life After College and what they're going to experience as well so for us everyone every student every apples have been something you need in terms of their own background and their interests and and and just thrown his story that they bring to our schools and so we want to have that reflected it within our student body and within within our incoming class at least if you want to speak to Marymount a little bit sure yes so we know that we do not prioritize you know want to have a more diverse class each year we have 25 students to about 30 students every each admission season and we want to make sure that that it represents our city as a whole and that our students are our students who have been here since Nursery or Pre-K or kindergarten at that those classes continue to be diverse and so we are we have students that commute from from Westchester to arrive on campus but we also want students to to see themselves reflected in our community to and that we all have that represent and we don't necessarily prioritize you know if there's any socioeconomic we want a diverse class overall and and that is a part of our mission from the rshm mission of you know life to be lived to the fullest and want to make sure that all of our students feel welcomed and included and that as well as they come on campus or actually on for sale in terms of that we want to make sure that all of her students know that and our families feel welcome and so to make sure that they are feeling cluded in the process as well thank you Lisa mad when do you want to speak to Dominicans diapers sure as many books have already said you know as a Roman Catholic School part of our identity and our mission is to welcome all of God's people and soda birthday forms the backbone of our community so too as me described earlier we're not recruiting students for diversity sake we will be aiming to recruit a diverse class that does represent you know Geographic economic ethnic and religious diversity Christian's identify as Roman Catholic but 25% are from other faiths Traditions or no particular Faith tradition is not a requirement to be a practicing Catholic will be baptized Catholic to apply for door 10 Dominican Lisa just mentioned our recruiting and admitting at the first class but also the environment in the community that students and families find once they're in the beginning of school so not just a teething fever the right but making it an inclusive environment where all students can have both windows and mirrors Windows into the worlds of other folks and mirrors in faculty staff other students so that they can see themselves reflected in the people around them and so that is just as important as recruiting a diverse class making sure that every student who walks through the doors feels welcome seeing her included and that's definitely something you would find if you were to attend American and last but not least see what do you like most about Xavier example of teaching and mom comes up to me at a back to school night and she says are you going to make my son Catholic and I was like no we want is we want your son to be a better Muslim by the time he graduates here and I think that there's that sense of belonging I think that's the word that we and the use much more now than just even inclusion is like a sense of true belonging and and in part of the entire Community yo boy did not know it was an amazing student and I still keep in contact with him and you know that he was a fantastic Muslim Students I don't think any of our schools believe in educating in a vacuum and I think that's one thing that I would say to parents all the time and I was teaching like we don't believe in educating and I think it's important that I feel a sense of belonging but also see a diverse set of opinions in the class so like and they're exposed to it a diverse set of ideas in the classroom thank you I'm one of the things that I love as we're going through this and I think that's why all of these schools as well as a few others that we mostly deal with are such good fits for a student free time one of you was answering a question everyone else was nodding along and it's very clear that although you all have amazing things that make you stand out from each other at the core there are many more similarities and really think that resonate with students I think Steven and some of the other Catholic schools that are very similar to ours around here so hopefully it's all of our participants I hope you feel the same thing that again and I think it goes to what I just said and I can't remember someone else is pointing out that there is school for everyone and not only just one I'm so all of these schools probably appeal to everybody right now the key is to really dig deep and see what you like most about some of them and find those things that really stand out to you I don't see any questions that we haven't answered yet Kelly if you want to to go ahead and say a few things I think we can wrap it up and let anyone just have a question or two you could pop them in the queue and I am and will go ahead and ask I do I want to thank you all for being here tonight it's curing from you and I've been writing notes some of the things that you said that are just so appropriate about how you view the young people that have schools and that's why I as a principal in our faculty feel so confident when we send them your way it's we know that you're going to see them as we see them witches dinner to see all their wonderful tributes as well as all the other pieces and parts of me really appreciate that we have a couple of you that are not going to be with us next year Madeline and I mean I understand your ugly wedding and it's been a pleasure to work with you both you just been wonderful and and I hope you're going to be very good care to find that next person that we can get to know and trust in love but we will miss you yeah I send end and yes and we will be letting you know that and I promise you nobody will stick to be so it will be very seamless it will be a seamless transition without me footprint is solid so thank you very much I'll miss you guys well you guys have done an outstanding job where you are and if you will be missed and I'll just mention to you that I will be thinking moving on I know it when I came here five years ago no one could have prepared me for what the high school scene was in New York City I have been working with high schools and certainly getting kids colleges in the United States but still I could not have imagined what it was like and but now I'm going to the city where I'll be principal of the only Catholic High School in that City so going from the sublime to the ridiculous which it brings its own problems that you know but something that I am looking forward to and she will have an appointment of a new principal and but they are inheriting a lot of very good friends here from the other schools in terms of admission strike first and so I know you'll do a great job and I appreciate it when should I hope this has helped you to understand it really is a personal process that these folks tried very hard to get a lot of time and energy into involving other people in the admissions process from their school and looking at each student individually all aspects of student and they really listen and there been so many times where I picked up the phone to say and furthermore I want you to know this about this child and each and every time you respond with you know what time I am so glad you called and and you listened and we could ask for more so I hope our parents will feel reassured about this process and that somehow the stress level has just come down a little bit. It is an exciting process and what did you say it goes it's a Sprint I think Corey said that it goes really quickly so when our parents to be ready and I also went to think Jen just Peridot who is so much work for us this year particularly with high school play and it's all so I can play a pivotal role in the continuity of our high school program next year. She's got it she got it with that I don't see any other questions to you Jen there was just one question about whether it's each of you individually or a panel that make decisions and I responded that it's a committee for all of you I'm I'm pretty sure if that's right answer I believe that you all have multiple people that give to that decision so I took care of it and it was good to see you I hope you have a wonderful day ring and get some well-deserved break this summer cuz you certainly deserve it I know you called The Busy thank you and have a few all very much