Matt Stegall is Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations at Lake Worth Christian School, where he oversees enrollment strategy, family engagement and alumni relations. Through a relationship-driven admissions approach, he focuses on creating welcoming experiences for families while helping students develop lasting connections throughout their educational journey. Building Trust in a Competitive Market The admissions landscape has changed significantly over the last several years. In Florida, the expansion of the voucher program has made private education accessible to more families than ever before. While that has benefited families and schools across the state, it has also created a more competitive environment by giving parents a wider range of educational options. As those choices continue to grow, schools must distinguish themselves through more than facilities, academic offerings or marketing campaigns. Families want confidence that they are making the right decision for their children, and that assurance often comes through genuine connection. Visiting campus, meeting faculty and experiencing the community firsthand helps parents determine whether a school is the right fit. For Stegall, nothing replaces the human element. Guiding families through the admissions process with care has a greater impact than many of the features schools can promote. Guided by that philosophy, he revamped the admissions process at Lake Worth Christian School to make it simpler and easier to navigate. Applicants often balance multiple deadlines, applications and responsibilities, making a streamlined experience one of his first priorities. The changes created a faster turnaround while keeping parents informed at every stage. Stegall uses the school's CRM platform to communicate next steps, key dates and enrollment updates efficiently, ensuring applicants remain informed throughout the process. That consistent communication helps parents navigate enrollment with
Products and Tools
Back-to-school preparation has become complex for schools and families alike. Schools must balance budget constraints and administrative demands while ensuring students are prepared for the first day of class. Families, meanwhile, navigate rising costs, multiple supply lists and a time-consuming purchasing process during an already busy season. EduKit simplifies this process by partnering with schools, parent organizations and districts to design community-specific supply programs that reflect each school's operational needs and expectations. By simplifying preparation and reducing stress, it helps students begin the school year prepared for success. “We’re not just helping get supplies into schools. We are a trusted part of the support system communities rely on year after year,” says Charles Field, CEO..
Fundraising Services
Schools are expected to provide youth sports and activity programs with better equipment, travel opportunities and overall experiences. The funding required for these, however, is not increasing at the same pace. The widening gap often places additional pressure on teachers, coaches and student leaders who already help run them. Fundraising University operates inside schools as an outbound fundraising service. An expert in managing and executing fundraising programs on behalf of schools, it oversees the entire campaign rather than leaving that responsibility to school staff. Instead of treating fundraising as a commodity or product, Fundraising University uses an interpersonal model that begins with in-person meetings on school campuses. “We use in-person meetings to educate group leaders and establish the dynamics that raise more money faster,” says Mike Bahun, founder and CEO.
Education and Admission Consulting
Parents often bring Kim Magloire, CEO of Quantum Leap Vault (QLV), a request: Can you just edit our child’s essay? Her answer is not what they expect. Correcting the grammar may improve one application, but it will not teach students to explain why an experience mattered, what they can contribute or why an admissions reader should remember them. “That’s not going to help them later on,” Magloire tells families. Students must still speak for themselves in interviews and careers, making the ability to shape their story valuable far beyond admission. The refusal to take over the work defines QLV. Magloire listens for the story beneath the résumé, then teaches students to communicate it in their own voice. Across essays, testing, passion projects and college selection, the principle remains the same: guide students’ thinking without taking ownership of the work.
Catholic School
When education is rooted in faith and extends beyond the classroom, students find their true calling. St. Thomas More Catholic School (STM) embodies this spirit, providing Catholic education that inspires hearts and minds with service, discipline and prayer woven into everyday life. One of the longest-serving schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, STM stands as a community built on faith, service and academic strength. Generations of families have trusted the school for an environment that prepares students for high school and beyond. “Our legacy of excellence is wrapped around religious and academic education. The way we engage with children, model life skills, and reinforce the positives and expectations, creates an environment that fosters self-discipline,” says Ashley McDaniel, principal. Teachers use positive reinforcement to help children make responsible choices and act appropriately in various settings, whether in class, the cafeteria or in daily activities. Students learn fully while supporting classmates and building a culture of respect and responsibility. Spiritual life is central to the student experience. Each grade participates in retreats, with parents and staff leading themes that deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith. They also take part in paraliturgies like the Living Rosary and the annual Passion Play, which unite the community in prayer. Daily prayers and blessings before meals form the rhythm of the school day. Middle school students pause for the Angelus at noon, while teachers encourage children to pray personally at every opportunity, like asking the Lord for guidance before a test. Academic preparation is another pillar of the school. Certified teachers collaborate to align curriculum across grade levels, ensuring seamless progression and strong readiness for high school. Middle schoolers benefit from a state-of-the-art science lab for hands-on experiments, a resource alumni often credit in later studies. Electives in robotics, marketing, digital design, theater, art and healthy habits expand learning, giving students opportunities to explore interests and develop new skills. Enhanced learning days further connect lessons with real-life experiences, including Simple Machines Day in first grade, Renaissance and Reformation Day in fifth grade and A Day in Ancient Greece in seventh grade.
Publishing Services
Summer Planning Inspired by Design Thinking
Carolyn Noll Sorg, President, John Carroll University
Healthcare and Allied Health Training
Inspiring Through Experience, Advancing Therapeutic Recreation at Aurora University
Kris Johnson, Associate Professor of Therapeutic Recreation, Aurora University
High Schools
Building College Readiness in a Changing Admissions Landscape
Mark Hampton, Director of College Counseling, Westminster Schools of Augusta
Education and Admission Consulting
Leading Schools by Staying Close to Learning
Ben Barlow, School Administrator, Albuquerque Public Schools
STEM Schools
Representation in STEM Matters
Darin Gray, Ed.D, Director, K-12 STEM Center, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California
IN MY OPINION
High Schools
Cultivating Global Citizens through Community Engagement
Morgan Jones, Director of Community Engagement, Avenues The World School
LAST WORD
Programs and Curriculum
The Importance of Course Purge Policies in Higher Education
Tony Sovak, Ph.D., LMS & eLearning Quality, Pima Community College
IN FOCUS
School Kits Providers: Creating More Efficient Education Supply Systems
School kit providers streamline educational supplies, focusing on customization, quality, sustainability, and efficient distribution to meet diverse student needs.
Innovative Approaches to K-12 Learning: The Value of Well-Being Curricula
Well-being curriculum providers drive educational quality, scalable growth, and long-term institutional value.
EDITORIAL
Education Built Around Connection
Our cover story features Matt Stegall, Director of Admissions and Alumni Relations at Lake Worth Christian School, recognized as Admissions Director of the Year 2026. By putting the emphasis on relationship building and communication, Stegall has transformed the recruitment process into something far more personal, clear and accessible for the parents. In addition to leveraging CRM capabilities, his strategy allows future students to connect with the campus via current and former students. Moreover, by expanding engagement past enrollment, he reinforces a sense of belonging.
The issue also highlights EduKit, awarded Top School Kits Provider 2026, for its work simplifying back-to-school preparation. The customized supply programs of this product line make it easy for the schools to cope with administrative issues while providing options to the families for purchase.
In Focus Education Group, named K-12 Well-Being Curriculum Company of the Year 2026, develops research-based, teacher-informed curriculum which integrates student and educator well-being into everyday learning. Its lessons and school partnerships help address behavior, improve engagement and strengthen helpful learning environments.
The contributor perspectives broaden the discussion. Morgan Jones, Director of Community Engagement at Avenues The World School, emphasizes the importance of navigating ambiguity, building trust and connecting students with local communities. Her examples show how sustained engagement can turn classroom learning into practical experience while developing empathy, adaptability and perspective. Carolyn Noll Sorg, President at John Carroll University, presents design thinking as a practical planning framework. Her campus visit redesign used research, experience mapping and rapid iteration to improve the student experience and contributed to a more than six-percentage-point increase in visitor yield.
Together, these stories underline that meaningful education begins with understanding people. Explore the issue for practical approaches to stronger enrollment, engagement and student experiences.
