School Overview

Coconut Creek, Florida

Enrollment: 1,584

Type of school:
Coeducational Day/Boarding
Grades: PreK - 12

What distinctive attributes characterize North Broward Preparatory School (NBPS)?
NBPS is a unique learning environment that nurtures students to become global citizens, innovators, problem solvers, and critical thinkers. As part of the Nord Anglia Education family, we have distinctive collaborations with prestigious organizations such as Juilliard, MIT, and UNICEF. Our students and faculty connect with our 44 sister schools in person through international educational trips and experiences, and virtually through Global Campus and Nord Anglia University.

NBPS offers academic programs to meet the needs of our diverse student body including the IB diploma program and numerous AP courses, plus honors level, college prep, and ESL courses. Our Lighthouse Point Academy Program, a school within a school, is a unique, rigorous academic program designed for college-bound students with learning differences.

We offer unparalleled experiences in fine arts, athletics clubs, service organizations, and after school activities. NBPS is a leader in technology integration and has earned recognition as an Apple Distinguished School. We attribute our long term success to our culture of collaboration, our strong sense of community, and our adherence to the Nord Anglia Education “Be Ambitious” philosophy.

How do you approach marketing the school to the local community? In what ways are families in Boca Raton/ Parkland (and the surrounding area) a unique group to attract for private schools?
Our strategy is to take a multifaceted approach to our marketing efforts by including social media, print advertising, public relations, digital marketing, open houses, and local events (e.g., South Florida parenting events, fishing derby, movies) as part of our marketing mix. We are also focusing on creating an inbound marketing program going forward. South Florida is a very diverse community and has a large number of international families who are attracted to NBPS because of our diversity and global perspective.

Does the admission staff have school responsibilities outside the office? How do you help prioritize or integrate their admission work into their other responsibilities?
The admission staff’s responsibilities outside the office include attending sponsored events around the community. In addition, as part of our community relations efforts, the director of admission and the director of marketing and communications share responsibilities for participation on the boards and committees for local chambers, nonprofits, and associations.

Attending local events allows our team to become the “face” of NBPS with the families we attract. We pride ourselves on being accessible to potential new families from inquiry through acceptance and beyond in order to build relationships and make certain their transition to NBPS is positive and successful.

In what ways does your affiliation with Nord Anglia Education group impact your work? What are some of the inherent benefits of Nord Anglia education?
Being a member of Nord Anglia Education is a huge differentiator for us in our market as it allows for collaborations with world-class brands like Juilliard, MIT, and UNICEF. Our students develop a global perspective through participation in Global Classroom initiatives, service learning trips to Tanzania, leadership excursions to the UN, mountaineering in Les Martinets, participation in the Juilliard Global Orchestra, and other unique, life-changing experiences. Our faculty has the advantage of sharing ideas and best practices with our sister schools around the globe and professional development opportunities, all with a worldview.

How has your own professional background benefitted your leadership role in the office of admission?
I just began my role as the director of admissions for NBPS, but I have over 14 years of experience in admission. Most recently, I worked as senior associate director of admissions at the University of Miami. My admission background at the high school and college levels gives me a unique perspective and allows me to understand both the immediate needs and long-term educational goals of NBPS families. Today’s students have much more of a say in where they will attend school at an earlier age than ever before. Having worked directly with college students helps me better relate to the needs of the students and their parents.

What skills do you feel are necessary to optimize success in your role? How would you describe your style in managing staff and workflow in your office?
I believe emotional intelligence is really key in working with our families and students. I also think that admission professionals must now have a deeper understanding of the role marketing plays in helping us to meet our goals and in showcasing the strength of our school. My previous experience collaborating with marketing helps me in my current role. My management goal is to create a collaborative environment for our team and really focus on processes and procedures that make our office as effective and productive as possible.

What are the greatest challenges impacting the success of the admission process at NBPS?
South Florida has a strong independent school market. In addition, parents have school multiple public school options, such as charter and magnet programs. We also have a very transient community. Many families are here for only a short period of time, which makes it more difficult to build a community.

Meet The Team

Carmen Perez, Director of Admissions
Carmen has over 14 years of experience in admission, and most recently worked as senior associate director of admissions at the University of Miami. She also has experience in admission at the high school level. She began her role at NBPS this August.

Sandy Goodman, Assistant Director of Admissions
Sandy has worked for seven years as assistant director of admission at NBPS. She has been with NBPS for 14 years in total and worked as a PreK teacher and Mommy & Me teacher.

Joni Cowan, Manager of Admissions
Joni has worked with NBPS for 11 years. Previously she worked as a special education teacher and director.

Bettina Knoblauch, Assistant Director of Admissions
Bettina has been with NBPS for one year. Her prior experience includes work as director of admission at other independent schools; she also has 10 years of experience as a PreK teacher and program director.