Admissions at Branson this year look different than in the past, with the removal of the SSAT, a hybrid experience for prospective students and an enrollment expansion project for the coming years.

“We are having a hybrid season. Last year, everything was virtual, and this year we will have a mix between virtual and in-person admission events,” said Nathalio Gray, assistant head of school for mission advancement.

In the past, Branson has held full day visits for potential applicants to visit the campus, accompanied by a Branson student. This year, instead of a shadow visit, student and family tours are happening after school for one hour, as well as three in-person open houses.

“We’re allowing families to come on campus for visits,” Gray said. “The hour visit consists of a 30-minute campus tour and a 30-minute student panel.”

Another difference in admissions is the omission of a standardized test to apply to Branson.

“Last year [the SSAT] was optional for students. This year, we are not requiring or accepting it,” he said. “A standardized test really doesn’t tell the whole story. … It’s just one data point.”

The admissions team is still evaluating whether the SSAT or any other standardized test will be accepted as part of the application in the coming years.

“We feel what we require [outside of the test] is enough to give us the information we need on a student,” Gray said. This includes “parent applications, student applications, transcripts, teacher recommendations and student interviews.”

COVID-19 has required admissions to take a different approach than in pre-pandemic years. Student interviews still take place virtually for the second year in a row.

“In some ways, it can make some students feel a little more comfortable,” said Will Kennedy, interim associate director of admissions. “I think there’s a factor with nerves when you come to campus. So I think doing that virtually can take some of that edge off.”

Without face-to-face contact with applicants, it can be more difficult to connect with them. Despite this, interviewers are doing their best to make the virtual aspect of admissions work as best as possible while still making applicants feel comfortable.

Another new addition to the school in the future is the potential enrollment increase for incoming freshmen each year.

“We are currently going through a process to try to increase our student enrollment by 100, to go from 320 total students to 420,” Gray said.

The project, though not approved yet by the Town of Ross, will increase acceptances for each new grade by 25 people, raising the number of incoming students per year to 105.

The town council still needs to decide whether to allow the school to increase its enrollment, and by how many. Despite the length of the project — including voters’ approval of Measure F nearly two years ago — increasing enrollment will have effects on the school community, Head of School Chris Mazzola said.

“We will have more athletes for our teams, more singers, dancers and actors for our performances, and our classes will be more interesting with even more voices,” Mazzola wrote in an email. “There are logistical [issues] for sure — transportation, lunch, more hiring — but they are all very solvable. I am truly excited for us to grow. ”

While the pandemic has presented a challenge for everyone, Gray finds a silver lining in the whole process. 

“I think the pandemic has really given us an opportunity to step back and evaluate everything that we have done in admissions,” Gray said. “And in some ways, [this year’s applicants] get a little bit more … than any group before them because they get both an in-person and a virtual experience.”

Gray also noted the importance of the Branson community and everyone involved each year. Jeffrey Huang, a junior and Blazer photographer, created a virtual video to showcase Branson last year during the pandemic for eighth graders applying to see life on campus.

“We’re incredibly appreciative of our admissions interns who make so much of what we do possible but … really the whole Branson campus is part of the admissions team,” Kennedy said. “I have incredible gratitude for everyone who helps out with the admissions process.”

Sylvia Jacoby, a senior, works as an admissions intern. 

“One of my favorite parts about Branson is how much everyone loves it here, so I think it’s really important to make sure eighth graders can learn enough about the school to decide if they will love it too,” she said.

“Every person in this community is part of the admission team,” Gray said. “Every student, every staff member, teacher, administrator and parent… are helping to tell the Branson story. All of the volunteers [in the ambassador program] make the magic happen.”