On October 14, IMS Director of Secondary School Advising Lisa Schmitt sat down with secondary school admissions experts Erby Mitchell, Assistant Head of School and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at The Hotchkiss School, and Jeff Beaton, Chief Enrollment Manager of the Admissions Office at Choate Rosemary Hall.

“Let’s pull back the curtain,” said Ms. Schmitt. “What is the admissions process like from your perspective?”

After a thoughtful moment, Mr. Beaton responded, “Boarding school is a transformative experience.” He noted the life-changing independence that comes from living away from home and how building relationships with people from around the world contributes positively to a young person’s development. He went on to add that while many factors go into the admissions process, families need to trust the process, as it can be emotional. Ms. Schmitt agreed, saying, “This is exactly why we have the support and guidance of Secondary School Advising at IMS.” She shared that her goal for working with families is to make the process a positive experience for adults and fun for students. Ms. Schmitt noted that day and boarding students equally benefit from the friendships that develop in our global community: “We want students to have fun while working hard.” Mr. Beaton emphasized this sentiment, “You can’t find success without joy and humor!”

Applications require a lot of work and the Secondary School Advising Office at IMS ensures that students are prepared for the process, starting as soon as they enroll at IMS. Ms. Schmitt and her team work hard to ensure every family has everything they need to succeed beyond the mountain; the IMS alumni who have gone on to thrive at highly selective schools are a testament to this. Our secondary school partners, including Mr. Beaton and Mr. Mitchell, agree.

Can you touch on your experience working with IMS graduates over the years?

“The IMS students I’ve met show up engaged, know how to learn well, have organizational skills, and know how to ask for help,” said Mr. Mitchell. Mr. Beaton agreed, later adding that “IMS kids are not afraid of challenges, and know how to face challenges head-on. I often view them as the ‘glue-kids’ in the dorms, holding everyone together.” 

Mr. Beaton also importantly noted that “IMS kids know how to live by their values in an authentic way.” IMS’s core values: Honesty, Compassion, and Respect are deeply intertwined in everyday life at IMS. No matter the moment, high or low, students are taught to be authentically themselves and are encouraged to show up for one another. These values have proven to translate well as they transition to their next chapters at secondary schools such as Hotchkiss and Choate.

What is the value of the Ninth Grade Program? 

“Ninth grade is where the guardrails are taken down and students are challenged to be independent and learn how to lead,” said Mr. Mitchell. “One year of being the oldest and having younger kids look up to them puts them at an advantage at the next step,” continued Mr. Beaton. Ms. Schmitt then addressed the parents in the room: “The Ninth Grade Program is designed to provide opportunities for students to embody strong character values and live a life through service as engaged community members.” 

At IMS, ninth graders are given countless leadership opportunities, including roles such as prefect, student council officer, peer mediator, Lower Campus mentor, and others. These roles help them identify their potential as leaders and build those skills in a supportive environment. Ms. Schmitt explained, “We know that IMS prepares your child for secondary school because life at a junior boarding school mirrors secondary school. And, when students are happy and healthy, they will be curious and engaged.” With access to high-level classes like AP Precalculus and AP Computer Science Principles, our ninth graders are confident students who are prepared for the most academically rigorous secondary schools. 

Another key point Mr. Mitchell emphasized is, “the longer the runway at a place like IMS, the more teachers get a chance to know you and can better recommend you.” Ms. Schmitt agreed and explained that recommendations are a key component of the application process, and having teachers and advisors who truly know you and can speak to your character is essential.

After the conversation with Ms. Schmitt, parents in the audience were able to pose their own questions to the panel, continuing the deep dive into Secondary School Advising. She outlined the logistics and support we provide every family throughout the process. 

Overall, the panel was enlightening and positive for families who are currently in the application process, and families for whom the secondary school is a few years away. We look forward to hosting more of these forums in the future and are grateful for the continued dedication and support that Ms. Schmitt and the Secondary School Advising Office provide.

Learn More About Secondary School Advising at IMS

Jeff Beaton is Chief Enrollment Manager of the Admissions Office at Choate Rosemary Hall. Mr. Beaton joined the Choate Admission team in 2013 and has led the office since the fall of 2019. A graduate of Bates College with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in education, he served as an Admission Counselor for his alma mater before joining the team at Choate. Mr. Beaton is a committee member for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship and is a faculty member for the Admission Training Institute through the Enrollment Management Association. Mr. Beaton holds his M.Ed. in Independent School Leadership from Vanderbilt University.

Erby Mitchell is the Assistant Head of School and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at The Hotchkiss School. Mr. Mitchell joined Hotchkiss in 2016 as the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. He was appointed the Walter J. Crain Fellowship Director in 2021. Mr. Mitchell earned his bachelor’s degree in human development from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and an Ed.M. in higher education at The Harvard Graduate School of Education. He has nearly 20 years of admission experience, including at Bowdoin College, Sidwell Friends School, and The Loomis Chaffee School.