Case studies

Background

IDP collaborated with Concordia Academy, a pseudonymous large, urban, faith-based school in the Southeast. Concordia aimed to align its admissions, recruitment, and financial aid strategies with its mission by analyzing its student body, applicant pool, and financial aid distribution. Leveraging IDP’s advanced analytics tools, the engagement focused on exploring financial aid allocation, diversifying the applicant pool, and enhancing fiscal sustainability.

Concordia Academy’s community includes over 1,500 students across three campuses, with recent expansions adding programs for younger students. The state’s private school tuition voucher program, with its fluctuating eligibility and utilization rates, significantly impacts affordability and diversity. These complexities necessitated a data-informed strategy to balance goals of socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic diversity with financial sustainability.

Approach & Key Insights

IDP’s engagement with Concordia Academy was a collaborative and iterative process. Admissions and financial aid data were integrated with U.S. Census data to create dynamic models visualizing enrollment patterns, geographic reach, and financial aid distribution. This approach enabled targeted discussions and refined strategic objectives.

Maps and dashboards revealed neighborhoods underrepresented in the student body. IDP proposed focused recruitment efforts in these areas to enhance diversity and mission alignment. Analysis of financial aid allocation uncovered disparities, leading to adjustments to better support underrepresented groups and align aid with diversity goals. Recruitment opportunities at key entry points like 6th and 9th grades were identified, and attrition patterns among students of color highlighted the need for enhanced support to foster retention and belonging.

Ongoing Strategy & Evaluation

IDP and Concordia Academy continue to collaborate on implementing and refining data-informed strategies. Ongoing efforts include:

  • Expanding outreach to underrepresented neighborhoods identified through geospatial analysis, focusing on mission alignment and diversity.

  • Refining financial aid policies to equitably support underrepresented groups while maintaining fiscal sustainability. This includes leveraging the state’s voucher program more effectively and tailoring internal aid to fill gaps.

  • Strengthening recruitment at key entry points by targeting high-potential neighborhoods.

  • Enhancing retention strategies by addressing attrition patterns among students of color through tailored financial aid and community-building initiatives.