Students Are Our Ambassadors

The madrich’s role involves guiding prospective families on campus tours, planning admissions events (such as open house), putting together packages and other goodies for families, and attending monthly meetings to develop leadership skills that will serve them in the school community and beyond. 

Working in pairs, our madrichim lead approximately 15 minutes of the tour. The admissions team strategically pairs the students to complement each other based on their personalities and tenure at the school. They escort prospective parents through our library, Innovation Lab, music and science rooms. They share memories of their times in each space and how it has shaped them to be the students and people they are today. 

At the end of the tour, the madrichim take time to answer questions ranging from where they are going to high school, to how much homework they have, to if the school was cliquey. We always conclude their portion of the tour by asking them to imagine that they are starting out the admissions process themselves and why they would recommend that their parents choose Bernard Zell. 

During our Family Open House, madrichim engage with prospective students on explorations and projects. They share their Bernard Zell experience and provide these families with a genuine glimpse into who their child can become. During our Parents-Only Open House, they assist with registration and participate in a panel. 

Spreading the Word

When we open applications for madrichim, selected leaders of the previous cohort present to the rising seventh and eighth graders. They highlight the leadership opportunities and how their experiences in the club helped them prepare for the high school application process. An email is then sent to those students and their parents with the application and additional information. This multifaceted approach ensures that both students and parents are well-informed and excited about the program.

The presentations by previous members are a key element of our recruitment strategy, as they are not only informative but also inspirational. Seeing their peers, whom they hold in high regard, speak confidently about their experiences and growth encourages other students to consider applying. These presentations serve as a practical demonstration of the skills and confidence that students can gain through the Madrichim program.

The Application Process

Our application process takes place in the spring, ensuring that we are fully prepared when the new school year and admissions season begins. Students interested in joining must submit a written statement explaining why they want to be part of the club and how they feel that they can make an impact. They can also indicate their preference for one of the two cohorts: tour guides or admission events. This allows students to align their interests and strengths with their roles in the program, ensuring a more fulfilling experience.

Following the written application, students participate in a small group interview where the admissions team assesses their fit for each cohort. During the interview, we ask students about teachers who have influenced them, their cohort preference and why parents should choose Bernard Zell for their children. We emphasize that practicing interview skills is valuable, especially for those preparing for high school admissions. At the conclusion of all the interviews, we send an email to the students—all of whom we accept—and their parents welcoming them to the club and letting them know their assigned cohort.

Ensuring Commitment

Our program’s success stems from students’ genuine investment in the experience. They are passionate about sharing our school with prospective families and understand the significant impact they have on its success. We also make meetings lively and fun, and students feel honored to be part of this group. 

To maintain this enthusiasm, we do not initially turn away applicants. However, we have implemented measures to ensure continued commitment. Each madrich receives a brit (contract) that they and their parents must sign at the beginning of the school year. This contract outlines the commitment, respect and maturity required for the club’s success. By signing the brit, students formally acknowledge their responsibilities and pledge to uphold the standards of the program, fostering a sense of accountability and dedication among the participants.

Teacher Support

Gaining teacher buy-in is crucial but can sometimes be challenging. We make a concerted effort to show that we value their time and ensure that students’ schoolwork remains a priority. We created a rotating schedule so students do not repeatedly miss the same class and have a few weeks between each tour. Furthermore, part of our brit requires students to maintain good academic standing, which ensures that participation in the program does not come at the expense of their academic performance.

We regularly communicate the program’s schedule and benefits with teachers. By involving teachers in the process and addressing their concerns, we foster a supportive environment where the program can thrive without disrupting the students’ overall educational experience.

Training 

In the fall, before our official tours and admissions events begin, we hold training sessions with each cohort. The tour guide cohort will spend time in small groups, where we lead them through a list of challenging questions they might encounter during tours. These questions have been compiled over the past few years in partnership with previous madrichim. They practice answering these questions out loud, and we provide feedback on the most effective responses. We also share a list of encouraging advice from past tour guides.

These students receive practical training by going through the actual tour route. In each room, we highlight key points that we would like them to speak about in every tour. Initially, we walk them through the route slowly, allowing them to repeat the key points for each space. 

Next, we provide them with a list of these spaces and the talking points so they can review them at home and refresh their memories before any upcoming tours. Students pair up to give practice tours to members of our advancement team. This provides them with several opportunities to practice, make mistakes and receive advice from team members.

For the events cohort, we conduct several similar training sessions. We discuss how to engage with the students, ask thoughtful questions and be role models for the school. Further training is provided before each event to ensure the students are well prepared for their roles. 

Another training that we run is a photography class. Students in the event cohort help take photos at events, so we teach them the fundamentals of capturing images that tell a story. We introduce the “rule of thirds,” emphasize the power of a candid shot and remind them that it’s perfectly fine to tell families “Smile!” We analyze photos taken by our marketing team to pinpoint how each of these concepts are utilized and even share photos with the intention of highlighting how we could have made it tell an even better story by using a different angle.

The Impact on the School Community

The Madrichim program has had a profound impact on our school community. It has strengthened the sense of belonging and pride among students who take their roles as ambassadors very seriously. This pride is reflected in the way they engage with prospective families, showcasing the best of what our school has to offer. Their genuine enthusiasm and commitment have helped create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for new students and their families.

The positive impact of this program extends to the parents of madrichim. After their first tour, we send an email to the student tour guide and copy their parent(s), expressing how impressed we were with their performance and sharing an anecdote from the tour. We frequently receive feedback from parents about how meaningful this was to them, and how proud it made them of their child(ren) and the school. Given how new this program is, we don’t have numerical data on how this impacts retention, but we have started hearing from parents of younger students who are excited for their children to participate in the future.

The Madrichim program is a testament to the power of student leadership and peer influence. It demonstrates how students can play a vital role in promoting their school and creating a positive, welcoming environment for new and prospective families. By empowering our students to become ambassadors, we not only enhance their educational experience but also foster a sense of pride and responsibility in their school community.