Challenge: How do we show everything about Mayfield in three hours?
We knew things were getting serious when a note went out on a Friday announcing that Strub Hall, the Hayden Building and the library would all be closed for carpet cleaning. In less than 48 hours Mayfield would be hosting our annual Open House. Everything needed to be perfect for our guests.
In what was our most successful and well-attended Open House in recent memory, Mayfield welcomed hundreds of visitors to campus on a beautiful Sunday in early December, the capstone event for what is unfolding as a highly successful 2017-18 admissions season.
The strength of our applicant pool this year reflects both Mayfield’s excellence in education and the desire of families who are seeking a Catholic, all-girls education.
“What really is distinguishing Mayfield is not just our academic excellence, but our Holy Child philosophy that emphasizes such a joy in learning and discovery,” said Admissions Director Merilisa Ramirez. “It all came together on open house and it was such a credit to our faculty, students and so many in our community who made it all happen.”
Mrs. Ramirez, who was named Admissions Director last spring after serving 12 years as assistant director, has brought her energetic vision and love of Mayfield to the forefront of her new role. As a Mayfield mom—her daughter Kathryn is a freshman—Mrs. Ramirez knows firsthand the importance of engaging both students and parents.
“There is no greater privilege for me than to show all that Mayfield has to offer to prospective families,” she said. “But, oh-my-gosh, how do we do it all in just three hours?”
Mrs. Ramirez and Asst. Director Jade Stewart turned to Mayfield’s greatest talent and source or excellence, our faculty and students. Each department created fun, engaging in-classroom demonstrations keyed to middle-school girls. Mandarin students taught visiting girls Chinese brush strokes, the Math department demonstrated the mathematical mystery of making a Mobius Strip, the English Department explored Christmas literature and made an ornament.
Our entire student body attended and served, whether as enthusiastic tour guides, sports and arts representatives or speakers.
“We wanted a lot of movement and a lot of things to do,” Mrs. Ramirez said.
The schedule included rotating panel discussions, a convention-hall style gathering in the Student Commons for athletics and extracurricular activities, arts performances, and even a swordplay demonstration by theatre students.
For three hours, Mayfield took on the air of a joyous festival, complete with new welcome banners, freshly seeded green grass, and red and white balloons everywhere.
But it was our amazing students who stole the show.
“I have heard over and over again from parents that the enthusiasm, confidence and love of their school that students expressed to visitors was the single most impressive quality about Mayfield,” Mrs. Ramirez said. “Prospective parents see our incredible students and envision their own daughters with that same Mayfield glow.”
After the application deadline closed at midnight on Jan. 19, Mrs. Ramirez said we have been blessed with a strong, highly qualified applicant pool.
“The Class of 2022 is definitely going to be impressive,” she said. “We are so grateful that our Holy Child education continues to thrive.”
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Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.
