July 03, 2024
Stephanie Dooley has been a welcoming presence at City Academy since she joined the school in 2012. As the Director of Enrollment Management and Placement, Ms. Dooley plays a vital role in both welcoming new families and guiding them through their transition to secondary schools. Her impact on the City Academy community is profound, serving as the “bookends” to a family’s journey at the school.
Ms. Dooley’s journey to City Academy began when she was working as the first diversity coordinator at the College School in Webster Groves. She received a postcard to attend a Buddy Morning event, which left a lasting impression on her. “What a great experience that was,” Ms. Dooley shared. “I loved that there were so many children that were excited to be here and about learning. The energy of the building felt really good to me.”
In her role, Ms. Dooley is the first point of contact for prospective families. She conducts numerous tours, helps with early childhood testing, and ensures families feel welcomed and supported. “I think the biggest piece is just being available,” she explained. “It’s important that families see a familiar face. Sometimes, just like us, they have hard days and might need somebody to talk to.”
As families near the end of their time at City Academy, Ms. Dooley helps them navigate the secondary school admissions process. “I enjoy seeing the families transform. We really do transform lives, not just for the children but also for their families,” Ms. Dooley said. She cherishes witnessing the growth and achievements of both students and their families, often seeing parents gain higher education degrees or new family dynamics evolve.
A typical day for Ms. Dooley is filled with tours, meetings, and maintaining relationships with secondary schools. She coordinates visits for current students to these schools and engages in discussions about tuition and other enrollment matters. “The best part of my day is the end of the school day,” she said. “Seeing everybody and having conversations with parents as they come to pick up their kids is the best part.”
Ms. Dooley enjoys seeing students grow and develop through the secondary application process, which often involves pushing their boundaries. “I love to see the way parents start to see their children. Parents come in and say, ‘Stephanie, you should have seen my baby at that interview.’ It’s exciting to witness the dynamic change as parents recognize their children’s growth.”
During the admissions period for the 2024-25 school year, Ms. Dooley and Admissions Coordinator Ann Lazaroff processed more than 400 new student applications, which involves day visits, testing, parent interviews, and more. She is grateful for the opportunity to guide families through the process and provide them with resources, even if they don’t end up at City Academy.
One thing Ms. Dooley really appreciates is that City Academy values the diversity within the school and the intentional efforts to have people of color in leadership roles. “I think it’s important for our students to see people not only as teachers but in the office who look like them. It’s another thing that brought me here and keeps me here,” she said.
Stephanie Dooley’s dedication and commitment to City Academy make her an invaluable part of our school. From the first tour to the final steps towards secondary school, she is there every step of the way, ensuring families feel supported and prepared for the future.