StoryScape Quarterly

Hello Friend,

Happy April! By now, your 2025-2026 community is taking shape, and that's worth celebrating. Building community takes cultivating relationships with intention and care, much like the art of maple sugaring.

Here in Vermont, the perfect combination of cold nights, warm days, and muddy roads signals maple season. Sap flows freely so maple syrup lovers can reap the rewards of year-round stewardship. It's a labor of love infused with character—evidenced by the sap collection bucket whimsically attached to a utility pole, above. Yes, you saw that correctly.

This reveals something crucial: Authentic personality shines through in unexpected places. From Vermont's backroads to your campus pathways, your brand essence permeates everything. Subtle and obvious, deliberate and organic—and more within your control than you realize.

We often hear "community" described as a school's special ingredient. How is your "community" different? What are you tapping into and how is that received? Are you the maple producer with the playful spirit or all business? How did prospective families experience the short yet important glimpse into your community this year?

Remember, everyone on campus serves as a guide and represents your school's story. What do guests take away from their interactions with you? Are you all highlighting the elements that truly resonate, make you memorable, and connect with mission-aligned families?

Choose your stories wisely and tell them powerfully. Position yourself for next year's success.

We're ready to help you tap into what makes your school extraordinary.

What's Your School's IQ?

How to Market Your School to Parents? Know Your IQ.

Your school has countless unique qualities, but when communicating with prospective families, you need to quickly convey what truly sets you apart. The key to piquing curiosity and attracting interest lies in prioritization. Before crafting your message, the essential first step is understanding your school’s IQ – the distinctive strengths that makes your school special and bridging the gap between perception and reality.

Know Your IQ

Set Your Team Up For Long Term Success

Evolve and Endure.

Enrollment and marketing professionals, your plates are already overflowing with mission-critical work. Yet, despite your packed schedule, it’s likely time to rebrand your school—evolving your marketing, sharpening your message, and setting the foundation to meet your enrollment goals. Set your team up for long-term success in attracting and retaining mission-aligned families.

How to Face the Challenge

Harness The Power of Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Word of Mouth - How families hear about a school. (2)

“If we’re not telling our story, others are. And it’s not accurate.”

–Torsie Judkins, Head of Wingra School

Take Control and Harness Word-of-Mouth Marketing

When it comes to how families discover and evaluate independent schools, word of mouth carries the most influence. That is why it is essential to harness the power of word-of-mouth marketing to unify under shared lived experiences and clarify market perception.

Get Word of Mouth Right

Make Sure Your Next Year's Admission Cycle is a Sweet Success

Let's Connect

Thank you for reading. Enjoy your day.

Articulate the best of your school in a way that resonates with the people you want to speak with most.

– Barbara and the StoryScape Team

About StoryScape: Refreshing perspective and deep expertise in strategic marketing tailored specifically for private and independent schools. Specializing in market research, compelling messaging, distinctive positioning, word-of-mouth management, and authentic branding.