As we wrap up the year, it’s just the two of us, Aubrey and Tara, reflecting on what we’ve learned from our guests and what’s ahead for schools in 2026. This year, so many of our conversations have come back to two big shifts: the rise of millennial parents as today’s primary decision makers and the growing role of AI in how families search for and evaluate schools.

In this episode, we’re sharing how these changes are transforming school marketing and admissions and what you can do to keep up. From phone call anxiety and value-driven messaging to AI-powered search results and website structure, we’re talking about what schools must adapt to stay relevant in a digital-first world.

In This Episode:

What millennial parents want from independent schools and how they make enrollment decisions

Why authenticity and social proof matter more than polished marketing

How to rethink your website for AI-driven search and zero-click results

Simple ways to make your admissions process work for digital-first families

A fun AI test you can try to see how your school shows up in search

Our reflections from a year of meaningful conversations and what’s ahead in 2026