#70. 3 major enrollment trends and what to do about them ft. Yoni Samuel-Siegel - Founder and Principal at Enrollment Design Studio

Enrollment has become one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing charter schools today. Shifting demographics, increased school choice, and evolving family behavior have fundamentally changed how schools attract, engage, and enroll students — and many traditional enrollment approaches are no longer working. On this episode of The Charter School Insider Podcast, host Daniel Casselli, President at BuyQ, is joined by Yoni Samuel‑Siegel, Founder and Principal of Enrollment Design Studio, to break down three major enrollment trends impacting charter schools nationwide. Drawing on more than twenty years of experience as a teacher, nonprofit leader, and charter school COO, Yoni explains how the enrollment landscape has shifted, why enrollment can no longer be treated as seasonal work, and what charter school leaders can do to respond strategically. This conversation offers practical guidance for charter school CEOs, COOs, and operations leaders who are responsible for enrollment outcomes, financial sustainability, and building systems that support long‑term organizational health in a more competitive market. WHY THIS MATTERS FOR CHARTER SCHOOL LEADERS Enrollment drives nearly every operational decision a charter school makes — from staffing and budgeting to facilities and long‑term planning. As competition for students increases, schools that rely on outdated or seasonal enrollment practices face growing financial and operational risk. This episode helps charter school leaders understand the systemic shifts behind enrollment challenges and offers a framework for building sustainable, year‑round enrollment systems that improve predictability, family experience, and organizational stability. Interested in becoming a guest? Contact us at [email protected] Learn more: buyq.org/podcast