Academics
College Counseling
College Counseling at RE
Our College Counseling Office is staffed with 11 college counselors, an essay-writing specialist, a coordinator of student-athlete college recruitment and two office staff who assist our students and college counseling team. This group helps ensure that all Ransom Everglades students matriculate to a college or university suited to their personalities and passions.
RE response to Supreme Court decision on June 29, 2023
RE response to Supreme Court decision on June 29, 2023
Meet Our College Counselors
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Jason Locke
Executive Director of College Counseling
After more than two decades in higher education leadership positions, I joined Ransom Everglades School in the inaugural role of Executive Director for College Counseling where I am leading the transformation of the college counseling experience for RE students and families. Before joining the RE community, I served as Director of Undergraduate Admissions and then as Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment at Cornell University. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alfred University, a Master of Education degree at the University of Vermont, and a Postgraduate Certificate from Peking University in Beijing, China. I am currently completing my Doctor of Education degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Over the years, I have enjoyed participating in the Ithaca Twilight 5K Run, Vinophile Society and Supper Club, and serving as a Friend of the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). -
Patrick Tassoni Jr.
Director of College Counseling
I have spent my professional life as an educator, and will always consider myself a teacher. One of the most meaningful experiences of my life was studying in India as a Fullbright-Hays Teacher-Scholar. I began my college journey as a student-athlete at BYU and transferred to Lawrence University, where I received my BA in Art and Anthropology; from there, I began teaching in Chicago. After receiving my master's degree in Counseling Psychology from DePaul University, I had the pleasure of developing the college counseling program at Northside College Preparatory High School and teaching in the Graduate School of Education at DePaul University. After 20 years at Northside, I joined the American School of Dubai College Counseling team, where I provided leadership for the college counseling office. I enjoy beach volleyball, kitesurfing and paddleboarding on both coasts of Florida. -
Roger Caron
Coordinator of Student-Athlete College Recruitment, Dean of the Senior Class, History & Social Sciences Teacher
I enjoy my role at RE as senior class dean, faculty member, coordinator of college athletic recruitment and head football coach; each of these puts me in contact with a wide range of community members throughout the year. Before my arrival at RE in 2017, just in time for Hurricane Irma, I spent the previous 30 years coaching at Williams College and Pomona College. I earned my BA at Harvard and my MEd at North Adams State College (now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts). I also spent a few years in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts. -
Marty Elkins
Associate Director of College Counseling
I have spent my life in schools as a teacher, coach, dorm parent, Dean of Students, Head of School and Director of College Counseling, the last being my favorite role. I graduated from Williams College, earned an MAT from the University of New Hampshire and a CAS from the Harvard School of Education. I am committed to great schools, places which focus on their mission and values, and serving students and families. I retired from my last school, Ransom Everglades in 2018, to enjoy golfing, gardening and hiking, and have most recently volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, Guardian Ad Litem for abused and neglected children in New Hampshire. I decided to return to work for Ransom Everglades because I am excited by the school’s vision to broaden its outreach and better support and guide students in finding their diverse and myriad opportunities beyond high school. -
Kate Fetterman
Associate Director of College Counseling
I am excited to work at Ransom Everglades as an Associate Director of College Counseling. Prior to my arrival at RE, I worked at two different liberal arts institutions (Kenyon College and Wesley College) where I had the opportunity to interact with students and their families during the college application and admissions process. Moving to this side of the desk aligned with my BA in psychology from Widener University and my MEd in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling from Wilmington University. I am in the process of obtaining my EdD from Wilmington University with a focus on college choice. In my free time, I enjoy cheering for the Eagles and Chelsea FC, volunteering with field hockey clubs, traveling to new states and countries, and spending time outside with my partner. -
Francisco Herrera
Associate Director of College Counseling
I was born and raised in Miami and am excited to be back home with RE's college counseling team. I completed my bachelor's degree at Dartmouth College and my master's at the University of Texas at Austin, both in Latin American Studies. I've worked as an admission officer at Dartmouth and more recently at Brown University, where I also served as the liaison for undocumented, first-generation and low-income students. I also spent two years working as a college counselor in Denver, Colo., where I enjoyed cheering on the cross country team and ran the Colfax Urban 10-Miler and Half Marathon. Outside of work, I spend most of my time reading and exploring the city. -
China Hutchins
Associate Director of College Counseling
My work on the RE college counseling team brings together a wealth of my higher ed experiences from Denver to St. Louis; I appreciate the opportunity to share them in Miami! I've held several positions within college admissions and most recently bid goodbye to Washington University (WashU) in St. Louis. After completing my undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts and Ethnic Studies at Colorado State University, I began graduate studies at the University of Colorado, Denver. I am excited to engage with the diverse community in Miami and of course soak up lots of time on the beach, with my teenage daughter, Cai! We love to travel and try new foods. -
Christina Iglesias
College Counseling Writing Specialist
I'm overjoyed to bring my experience as a writing instructor, independent college counselor and humanities teacher to Ransom Everglades in my hometown of Miami. Prior to my arrival at RE, I taught writing, composition and literature courses at Columbia University, where I earned a PhD in English and Comparative Literature. I also spent several years serving as a book editor, writing coach and independent college counselor, assisting students with college selection and essay development. Prior to my time at Columbia, I earned a BA in English with minors in Classics and Medieval and Early Modern Studies at the University of Florida. I graduated from Lourdes Academy here in Miami, where I now live with my husband and two boys. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano and growing orchids. -
Claudia Jolivert
Senior Associate Director of College Counseling
A member of the RE college counseling team since 2008, I am honored to support our students on their journey to college. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, I earned a BS from Georgetown University and an MS in economic and political development from Columbia University. My career in education started in admissions at Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton before I returned to Georgetown to work in undergraduate admissions. I served a five-year term on the board of trustees for the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools, and I was recently elected treasurer of the board of directors of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling. I am a mother of three and the owner of two rescue dogs, and I enjoy chocolate, yoga and salsa dancing. -
Brandon King
College Counselor and History & Social Sciences Teacher
I teach economics and world history and serve as a faculty college counselor, an assistant baseball coach, and an Assistant Director of Summer Programming. Before coming to Ransom Everglades, I was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. I earned my PhD in Chinese studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong after earning master’s degrees from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy hiking, cycling, traveling and researching philosophy from China’s Warring States Period. -
Lee Nuckolls
Senior Associate Director of College Counseling
I joined the RE College Counseling Office after 20 years as a college counselor for day schools in Salt Lake City and Atlanta, and a boarding school in Colorado Springs. I spent 11 years in the admission office of my alma mater, Washington University, and served as Director of Admission for the University of Utah School of Business. I delight in empowering students as they prepare for and navigate the complexity and uncertainty of the college admission process. When not doing so I might be wandering up a mountain, skiing down a mountain, or clambering back on my SUP. I have enjoyed being engaged with the college admission landscape and have served as Rocky Mountain Association for College Admission Counseling Treasurer, on the RMACAC Finance Committee, on the RMACAC Executive Committee, and on the National Association for College Admission Counseling Finance Committee. I now serve on the RMACAC Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Committee. -
Marlen Nuñez de Varela
College Counselor and Science Teacher
I am excited to serve as a faculty college counselor while also teaching biology and chemistry at Ransom Everglades School. Teaching has always been something that has inspired me, as it is truly the best way to make a difference in someone’s life. I hold a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from St. Thomas University, where I also earned my master’s degree in education with a specialization in reading. I previously worked as a private educational consultant, helping high school and college students in their pursuit of higher education. When I am not in the classroom, I am busy enjoying the outdoors with my family, trying out new recipes, crafting custom jewelry, or catching up on murder mystery shows. -
Ann Parks
Director of College Counseling Communication
After two decades in higher education, I joined Ransom Everglades in a new role of Director of College Counseling Communications with college counselor responsibilities. My career in higher education started as a college basketball coach for eight years before transitioning into my roles in admissions. Before joining the Ransom Everglades community, I served as Deputy Director of Undergraduate Admissions and then as Director of Enrollment Communications at Cornell University. I earned a Bachelor of Science from Nazareth College, a Master of Science in Teaching from SUNY Potsdam, and a Master of Business Administration from Rivier University. I am an avid sports fan, enjoy being outside, a pet lover and I serve on the board for the Nashua Youth Council.
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College Counseling News
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Juniors launch college process at College Admission Symposium
Admissions directors from Cornell University, Pomona College and the University of Toronto shared insights on the college admissions process with members of the Class of 2025 and parents during the College Admission Symposium on January 13 at the Lewis Family Auditorium. RE Executive Director of College Counseling Jason Locke welcomed juniors to the launch of the college admissions process and Ann Parks, Director of College Counseling Communications, addressed the importance of “expanding the universe of colleges and universities” when building an initial college list.Read More -
Young Ransom Everglades alumni return to RE
Dozens of alumni from the Classes of 2020 through 2023 returned to Ransom Everglades for lunch with students and faculty at La Brisa on January 11, a high-spirited reunion that took place after the Young Alumni College Panel for RE's junior class. That panel discussion on the college process and college life featured thoughtful advice and reminiscences from six alumni: Julia Buckner '20 (Wellesley), Lucia Rose Dahn '23 (Brown), Alex Dray '21 (Duke), Jack Fitzpatrick '20 (Wake Forest), Ana Gonzalez '23 (Princeton) and Yuhan Liu '21 (University of Pennsylvania) in the Lewis Family Auditorium. Photo GalleryRead More -
RE alumni share advice on college interviews with RE students
Four RE alumni – Terron Ferguson '04, Oliver Moore '02, Alex Moskovitz '93 and Annie Stamps '03 – addressed RE students and fielded their questions during a College Interview Workshop held by the college counseling office on Oct. 1. The alumni brought their experience from a range of top undergraduate institutions; Ferguson attended Morehouse College; Moore is a U.S. Military Academy grad; Moskovitz attended MIT; and Stamps, the University of Pennsylvania. College Counselor China Hutchins moderated the alumni panel in the Posner Lecture Hall, and also shared guidance on preparing for college interviews.Read More -
College counseling office visits colleges around U.S.
During summer break, members of the Ransom Everglades College Counseling Office visited 36 colleges and universities in 11 states, touring campuses, sitting in on admissions information sessions, and connecting with admissions officers. Visiting college and university campuses provided an opportunity for the office's 12 college counselors to receive updated information about the institutions that interest RE students. Many also experienced first-hand the campus visit process to better advise RE families as they plan college visits.Read More
Find the complete list here -
Senior and junior parents prepare for the college process
Read MoreJason Locke, Executive Director of College Counseling, and members of the college counseling team kicked-off the school year by hosting senior and junior parents in the Lewis Family Auditorium Aug. 29 and Sept. 5. Both sessions provided an opportunity for a conversation about the college application process and outlined the policies and practices that will guide students through an effective college admission process. -
Class of 2023 heading to 83 colleges in 23 states and seven countries
[Updated May 21, 2023]: RE’s Class of 2023 will be matriculating at 83 colleges and universities in 23 states and seven countries in 2023-24. Ransom Everglades seniors not only will attend traditionally sought-after schools – including all of the Ivies, MIT and Stanford – they also will matriculate at highly selective liberal arts colleges, acclaimed research institutions, extremely competitive drama/music schools, highly regarded international institutions and universities with renowned specialty programs.Read More -
Message from Executive Director of College Counseling: A winter of activity, a spring of gratitude
Read MoreA year ago this week, I visited Ransom Everglades School as the newly appointed Executive Director of College Counseling. Although my official start date was a month away, I was invited to South Florida to spend time with my new colleagues before the summer break. The observations and impressions I gathered during this first visit formed the basis for the strategy statement that I unveiled to the RE Board of Trustees in September:
REimagine the college counseling process to engage and inform families as we elevate RE students in an increasingly competitive national admissions environment. -
From the Executive Director of College Counseling: Slaying the Dragon
Read MoreI will always remember the chant, “Dragon, Dragon, Dragon; Oi, Oi, Oi!” In late March, the entire Cornell University community came together to celebrate a Cornell rite of spring – the storied Dragon Day tradition. As tradition goes, first-year architecture students construct a dragon and march it across campus to meet a phoenix built by first-year engineers. The culmination was a bonfire on the Arts Quad where the dragon was metaphorically slain. The celebratory atmosphere reflected both the excitement of a campus event drawing thousands of participants as well as a collective sense of relief that spring was just around the corner after a long, Ithaca winter. -
From the Executive Director of College Counseling: Many eyes, many voices – the REimagining
Read MoreTwenty years ago this spring, I was engaged in a “reimagining” initiative at Cornell University that is similar to what we are currently doing at Ransom Everglades. Dubbed the rebuilding initiative, this revitalization of our undergraduate admission office was driven by goals that called for greater efficiency in our work, targeted recruitment strategies, segmented communication plans, and enhanced use of technology. I remember the excitement, the hard work, and the awesome sense of responsibility I felt recreating the office at a storied institution. -
RE college counseling kicks off process with ninth-grade families
Ransom Everglades opened the college process for ninth-grade families with a college counseling night for ninth-grade parents on Feb. 7 and a class meeting for ninth graders on Feb. 9. The events led by RE Executive Director of College Counseling Jason Locke were designed to introduce students and their families to members of the college counseling office and provide information and guidance on what lies ahead.Read More
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James Weaver ’90, member of Ransom Everglades board of trustees
“Some of my greatest lessons at Ransom Everglades were just as much outside of the classroom by engaging with my peers and teachers in an informal and inclusive environment. These skills developed as a student at RE continue to influence me today as a global business leader working in a global economy.”
List of 6 items.
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College Admissions Symposium
The annual and highly anticipated College Admissions Symposium in January offers our students and their families insights on the college process from a panel of admissions deans and directors. The event follows the release of college counselor assignments and acts as a kickoff to individualized college counseling for juniors. -
Standardized Testing
Annually, through class meetings and evening sessions, college counselors provide students and parents with tools to best prepare for taking the SAT and/or ACT. All juniors sit for the PSAT in October. RE provides a test prep program free of charge for all students. -
College Case Study Night
Admission representatives from various colleges and universities guide Ransom Everglades parents and students through a mock college admission process in April, taking them behind the curtain to help them prepare for their own forays into the college process. -
Senior Workshops
RE's college counseling team leads a series of senior workshops and bootcamps from May through December, offering sessions on college applications and application writing (personal statements, supplemental essays) as well as detailed suggestions for how students can organize their time to reduce college-application stress during the senior year. An application submit-a-thon is offered at the end of October to aid students with final details before they click submit. -
Athletic Recruitment
Student athletes and families looking to navigate the college athletics landscape are provided resources through the college counseling office including individual appointments with a coordinator of student-athletic recruitment. -
Financial Aid and College Costs
Multiple sessions on financial aid and college costs offer students and parents a comprehensive primer on financial aid, FAFSA, the CSS Profile and much more.
Timeline
List of 3 items.
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Freshmen & Sophomores
Beginning in the ninth grade, a series of class meetings for students and evening programs for parents is offered to inform families about the college search and application processes.Freshmen students and parents attend “The Road Ahead” program during the spring semester where college planning resources are introduced laying the foundation for a successful college admissions journey. During sophomore year, multiple “Nuts & Bolts” programs educate families on a variety of topics designed to jumpstart their college search including an introduction to Naviance, our college planning technical tool.
The College Counseling Office is open to underclassmen on an as-needed basis. Common questions concern standardized testing, summer programs and course scheduling. Through partnerships with advisory, college counselors are available to all underclassmen to answer any and all questions during the first two years of high school. -
Juniors
Individual college counseling assignments occur during the fall semester of junior year. The kickoff event, our College Admissions Symposium, provides juniors and their parents in-depth insights into the admission process. The 18-month process will include frequent meetings between counselors, students and parents, along with continued class meetings, workshops and evening programs.Juniors are provided the opportunity to meet with college admissions representatives during fall visits to RE and in the spring at the AIMS College Fair, where over 250 colleges gather. -
Seniors
The College Counseling Office holds a series of senior workshops aiding students in all aspects of the college application process including composing effective personal statements and supplemental essays, completing the Common Application and applying for financial aid and scholarships. Mock alumni interviews and an application submit-a-thon are also signature events held during the fall semester.Throughout September and October, RE welcomes more than 100 admissions officers to campus, allowing students to learn about colleges in an intimate setting.
Middle School
2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 250 6850
Upper School
3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 460 8800
Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.