How I Prepare for Enrollment Season as a Microschool Founder

Enrollment season doesn’t begin when applications open.
For us, it begins in November — with clarity, systems, and intention.

Preparing early has been one of the most impactful shifts I’ve made as a microschool founder. It allows enrollment to feel thoughtful instead of rushed, relational instead of transactional, and grounded instead of reactive.

Here’s how I prepare for enrollment season and why this approach has changed everything.

Starting Enrollment Prep in November

By November, we are already reflecting on the current school year and preparing for the next.

This includes:

• Reviewing family feedback and recurring areas of misunderstanding
• Identifying where systems or communication need strengthening
• Updating our handbook for clarity and alignment
• Mapping enrollment timelines and program capacity

Starting early gives us the space to make intentional decisions — not pressured ones. 

Re-Engaging Currently Enrolled Families in Early January

At the beginning of January, we start enrollment preparation with our currently enrolled families.

Families receive:

• The updated handbook for the upcoming school year
• Time to review any changes or clarifications

Two weeks later, we send a follow-up link asking families to:

• Submit their intent to return
• Acknowledge that they have read and understood the updated handbook

This step is essential.

It allows us to:

• Confirm alignment before opening enrollment to new families
• Accurately determine how many spots may be available
• Prepare responsibly for Curiosity Day and enrollment conversations

Enrollment planning works best when retention and capacity are clear first.

Curiosity Day: Intentionally Scheduled for Late January

One of the anchors of our enrollment season is Curiosity Day, which we intentionally schedule for late January to coincide with National School Choice Week.

Curiosity Day is not a sales event.
It is an experience.

We invite:

• Interested families
• Teachers exploring alternative education paths
• Community members who want to better understand microschools

Curiosity Day allows visitors to:

• See our campus in action
• Ask authentic questions
• Meet us in person
• Feel the atmosphere, culture, and overall vibe of the school

Families often say they can feel whether it’s the right fit — and that’s exactly the goal. Enrollment decisions should be grounded in lived experience, not just descriptions.

Using an Interest Form to Open the Door (Not Create Pressure)

Our interest form is intentionally simple.
We only collect basic information — name and grade level.

The form is not a screening tool.
It’s an entry point for connection.

Families on our interest list receive monthly emails that:

• Share what’s happening on campus
• Highlight student learning and experiences
• Keep them engaged with our community

We also invite interested families to experience our other educational services before enrolling.

Inviting Families to Experience Kipe Academy Before Enrolling

Rather than asking families to commit immediately, we offer low-pressure ways to engage, including:

• 1:1 or small-group tutoring
• Monthly weekend workshops
• Homeschool evaluations
• Norm-referenced testing

These opportunities give families a genuine feel for how we operate, how we communicate, and how we support students — long before enrollment decisions are made.

This builds trust and clarity on both sides.

Interviews Before Enrollment: Prioritizing Alignment

After families experience Curiosity Day, we invite them to participate in an interview.

This conversation helps determine:

• Whether Kipe Academy is the best fit for the student
• Whether the family aligns with our expectations and model
• Whether we have the capacity to meet the student’s needs

If there is mutual alignment, we then send:

• The enrollment link
• Required enrollment documents for review and signature

Once all documents are completed, the student is officially accepted into the microschool program.

Enrollment is never assumed — it is intentionally confirmed.

Treating the Handbook as an Enrollment Tool

Throughout the enrollment process, the handbook functions as a clarity document, not just a rulebook.

Reviewing it before enrollment ensures families enter the program with:

• Clear expectations
• Shared understanding
• Fewer surprises later

This step alone has significantly reduced confusion and misalignment.

Enrollment as an Invitation, Not an Intake

One of the most important mindset shifts I’ve made is this:

Enrollment is an invitation — not an intake process.

Families are not just choosing us.
We are choosing each other.

That means:

• Not every interested family is the right fit
• It is okay to say “not yet” or “not this year”
• Long-term sustainability matters more than short-term numbers

When enrollment is rooted in alignment, retention improves, community strengthens, and the school year begins with trust already in place.

Final Thoughts for Microschool Founders

If you’re preparing for enrollment season, consider asking:

• When does enrollment preparation actually begin at your school?
• How are you confirming alignment with current families first?
• Are families experiencing your program before committing?

Preparing early, communicating clearly, and prioritizing alignment has transformed how enrollment feels for us.

Enrollment success isn’t about filling seats.
It’s about building a community that’s ready to grow together.