"Power Moves: From Applicant to Activated—Yes, You Can Do That!"
The cost of private education in the U.S. is soaring. According to S&P Global, average day school tuition jumped 7.4% to $49,284, and boarding school tuition hit $73,080—the most significant hike for day schools in over a decade. Getting in is hard. Paying for it is real.
But here’s what families don’t always realize:
The real power move is how you show up—before, during, and after enrollment. 💥
This fall, a young mom of three received the call: her child had moved off the waitlist into Kindergarten. Excited and nervous, she reached out and shared all ‘the emotions’ with us. Ready to empower her family’s enrollment, we encouraged Mom to ask for the onboarding she missed with yield events like revisits and other newly admitted welcome events, along with a request for a buddy family that is culturally representative of her family. “Wait—what? I can do that?”
RIISE response?
“You most certainly can. And you can also…”
That’s the spark we’re igniting at the April 26th RIISE Parent Power Conference, where new applicants and newly enrolled families will discover how to navigate the independent school journey with strategy, confidence, and cultural insight 🌟.
Whether you are preparing to meet prestigious schools at the School Fair or stepping into your first year as an enrolled family, this experience will empower you to show up as if you already belong—because you do.
Here’s a preview of the power play we’ll unpack together:
I. Academics 📚
Every parent wants academic excellence—but what does it look like in real time?
If you're starting in early learning, you may wonder why there’s no homework as you know it. If your child is entering middle or upper school, they might go from big fish in a small pond to one of many in a bigger pond. Success lies in supporting your child’s academic risk-taking and partnering with educators.
At the conference, you’ll learn how to communicate with learning teams, leverage support early, and move from simply watching the rigor happen to becoming an informed advocate and ally in your child’s academic growth✨.
II. Access 🎟️
Independent schools offer access to much more than academics—but you must be bold enough to claim it.
Your voice and visibility matter whether you're applying or are already enrolled. Belonging doesn't start after you are accepted. You practice belonging now—by being curious, asking questions, speaking up at info sessions, connecting with community members, and attending the School Fair with enrollment in mind.
At the conference, you'll get real tools for networking authentically, building relationships, and understanding how to maximize the resources and opportunities schools provide—including what’s available to families receiving financial support to offset the cost of enrollment.
III. Actualization 🌱
This isn’t just about where your child goes to school—it’s about how your family shows up in that school.
At RIISE, we believe families should not only feel included—they should lead, influence, and leave a mark. So raise your hand to join the PA. Share your cultural perspective with faculty. Bring ideas forward. Show your child what it means to engage with integrity and boldness 🙌🏽.
And when giving season comes around (we mean the annual fund), don’t let fear or unfamiliarity stop you. Contribute what you can and ask for what you need—because both are signs of partnership and participation.
At the conference, you’ll hear how real families are navigating this with power and purpose—in partnership with schools.
So whether you're applying or enrolling—how will you show up?
Will you attend RIISE’s Parent Power Conference waiting for someone to invite you in? Or will you engage as if the seat is already yours?✨
Will you sign the contract and stay on the sidelines? Or will you lead with vision and voice?
Your presence is powerful. Make it undeniable. 💥
Join us at The RIISE Parent Power Conference on April 26 @2pm at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and share with others!
Show up to development workshops and school fair like you already belong.
Leave with a plan, a network, and a renewed sense of power and community✨
You can absolutely do that.