Top Independent Girls’ School in a Competitive Market Seeks to Further Strengthen its Position
Our partnership with Kent Place School helps expand market perceptions beyond “a strong girls’ school”
THE CHALLENGE:
Kent Place School, historically a strong independent school for girls in Summit, NJ, faced increasing competition from excellent public and private options in the northern NJ area. Concerned about increasing competition and with the desire to strengthen its standing in the market to ensure sustainable enrollment, the School sought to boldly claim its position as a top school in the area, not “just” a top-notch girls school.
OUR SOLUTION:
Our partnership with Kent Place School began with an internal analysis and market research with several external constituencies to understand the School’s current market position and determine how it might reach its broader institutional ambitions. We conducted research with a variety of internal and external constituencies, and our work resulted in 1) confirmation of Kent Place School’s strong market position, 2) identification of some threshold considerations that warranted examination, and 3) development of strategic initiatives that would help the School further strengthen its competitive advantage.
While Kent Place was widely considered the premier all-girls’ school in the area, research made clear that the School had a significant opportunity to enhance its visibility and appeal by building on its reputation for providing a well-rounded and balanced education. Kent Place leveraged this moment by investing more aggressively in programming focused on a more holistic and integrated approach to ethics, leadership, and wellness for all students at all age levels. Additionally, the School needed to focus on enriching its STEM programs, investing even more in its facilities, and directing additional resources to the diversity of its community in its effort to further bolster the School’s market position. These recommendations provided the cornerstones of Kent Place School’s most recent strategic plan, and Kent Place leadership, faculty, staff, and families are united in working together to realize the School’s bright future.
