Academics
College Counseling
College Counseling at RE
Our College Counseling Office is staffed with 14 college counselors, including two essay-writing specialists and a coordinator of student-athlete college recruitment. We also have a dedicated office staff member who assists 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.
Meet Our College Counselors
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Jason Locke
Co-Executive Director of College Counseling
After more than two decades in higher education leadership positions, I am now Co-Executive Director for College Counseling where I am leading the transformation of the college counseling experience for Ransom Everglades 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). -
Jordan Shapiro
Co-Executive Director of College Counseling
I am thrilled to serve the Ransom Everglades community as the Co-Executive Director of College Counseling. I have dedicated my career to helping students and families navigate the complexities of the admissions process. Originally from Boston and raised in Coral Springs, I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BS in psychology and earned a master’s degree in school counseling from Suffolk University. My career includes roles in the admissions office at the University of Miami and as a college counselor at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale. After relocating to Boston in 2021, I returned to admissions, most recently as Director of Admissions Engagement at Northeastern University. I couldn’t be more excited to be back in Miami where I met my wife, Cynthia. I enjoy trying new restaurants, rooting for Boston sports, and going on adventures with my wife, our son, Marty, and our corgi, Hugo. -
Patrick Tassoni Jr.
Director of College Counseling
With a lifelong dedication to education, I have always considered myself, first and foremost, a teacher. My journey as an educator has taken me across disciplines and continents, shaping my passion for guiding students through academic and personal growth. One of the most transformative experiences of my career was studying in India as a Fulbright-Hays Teacher-Scholar, an opportunity that deepened my global perspective and commitment to learning.I began my undergraduate studies as a student-athlete at Brigham Young University before transferring to Lawrence University, where I earned a BA in Art and Anthropology. My teaching career started in Chicago, where I also pursued a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at DePaul University. Soon after, I had the privilege of developing the college counseling program at Northside College Preparatory High School, a role I held for two decades while also teaching in DePaul’s Graduate School of Education.My work eventually led me to the American School of Dubai, where I provided leadership in college counseling and developed a deep appreciation for international higher education pathways. Currently, I serve as the co-chair of the King’s College Advisory Board, continuing my commitment to shaping opportunities for students on a global scale. -
Karen Blake
Associate Director of College Counseling
I am thrilled to serve the Ransom Everglades community as a college counselor! Before coming to RE, I spent seven years in college admissions at Princeton, Stanford and Yale University. My experience as an admission officer gave me a deep understanding of the highly selective admissions process, but more importantly, it reinforced my appreciation for the individuality, potential and resilience of every student. I view the college process as a journey, and while the destination is understandably important, I believe each step along the way should be engaging, meaningful and, dare I say, fun. I had an incredible college experience at Amherst College, where I earned my BA in sociology, and I am eager to help students find the school that is right for them. Outside of work, I love to travel — especially to Spain, where I spent a year teaching English after graduation. I’m an avid Formula One fan (Forza Ferrari!) and I have a very spoiled cat named Quinoa. -
Roger Caron
Coordinator of Student-Athlete College Recruitment
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. -
Julia Clarke
College Counseling Writing Specialist
At Ransom Everglades, I teach upper school English and serve as a writing specialist for the college counseling office. I lived and worked in New England and New York for over a decade, but the sunshine state is a familiar place: I grew up in Tallahassee and earned my BA from the University of Florida. Most recently, I was an editor for a Manhattan-based advertising agency and taught literature courses in the evenings at Fairfield University; before that, I taught English and ran the yearbook at a boarding school in Connecticut. I received my PhD in English from Stony Brook University, and throughout the program, I found my passion for teaching at both Stony Brook and Lehman College in the Bronx. When I'm not gushing about Dickens and the Brontes, I am on a whale watch checking out humpbacks or watching Tiktoks of various breaching whales. I am also a runner, Peloton apologist, podcast consumer, cinephile, huge fan of contemporary fiction and avid traveler – I hope to return to my birthplace in Australia soon. -
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
Senior 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. -
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. -
David Le
Associate Director of College Counseling
A native Floridian, I am thrilled to be back home as a member of RE’s college counseling team! A lifelong learner, my work at RE aligns with prior experience in college admissions at institutions including American University and teaching appointments at Skidmore College and the University of Maryland. I am a classically trained musician, holding a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida, Master of Music from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Maryland, all in Flute Performance. Away from my desk and the concert stage, I enjoy staying active, traveling, cooking new cuisines, and tending to my collection of tropical houseplants. -
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. -
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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Seniors earn recognition at annual Silver Knight ceremony
Sirja Jõeveer ’25 won a Silver Knight Award for Music and Dance, joining just 30 high school seniors in Miami-Dade County who earned the highest honors at the 67th Silver Knight Awards for academic excellence and community service on May 15. An accomplished ballet dancer, Jõeveer was honored by the Miami Herald/el Nuevo for combining her passions for dance and social justice. Rebecca Paresky '25 also claimed an honorable mention in the Digital and Interactive Media category.Read More -
Four RE seniors named National Merit Scholars
Jack He '25, Hudson Kaplan '25, Max Salomon '25 and Ethan Sullivan '25 were named 2025 National Merit Scholars and will receive $2,500 scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The students, among 2,500 scholars nationwide selected from 15,000 finalists, earned the prestigious awards in recognition of their leadership, potential for success in college, academic record, community activities and PSAT scores. Each submitted a detailed scholarship application after being named a semifinalist last fall.Read More -
Ransom Everglades Class of 2025 heading to 67 universities in 22 states and three countries
Seniors at Ransom Everglades gathered on National College Decision Day to celebrate each other and the many places they are planning to matriculate next year: 67 colleges and universities in 22 states (plus the District of Columbia) and three countries. Students signed their respective class T-shirts, took photos by academic area of interest, and heard words of congratulations and encouragement from school leaders: Head of School Rachel Rodriguez, Chief Operating Officer David Clark '86, Head of the Upper School Donald Cramp Jr. and Co-Executive Director of College Counseling Jordan Shapiro. They also enjoyed treats and snacks at the May 1 celebration at La Brisa during the mid-day break.Read More -
College counseling office takes families inside the admission process
The mystique surrounding college admissions committees is legendary. The behind-closed-doors deliberations are frequently described as secretive by the media. RE’s College Counseling Office had the opportunity on April 14 to draw back the curtain and shed some light on what admissions committees do during these months and months of application review.Read More -
College Admission Symposium helps RE juniors and parents launch the college process
Admissions deans and directors from Middlebury College, University of Chicago, University of Toronto, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Washington University in St Louis shared insights on the college admissions process with members of the RE Class of 2026 and their parents during the College Admission Symposium on January 11 at the Lewis Family Auditorium. Co-Executive Director of College Counseling Jordan Shapiro 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 -
RE collegiate alumni return to campus to share advice and reconnect
RE welcomed dozens of collegiate alumni – members of the Classes of 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 – for an outdoor lunch with current juniors and seniors on Jan. 9. Angela Dula '23 (Boston College), Gabriel Menendez de Alencar '23 (Harvey Mudd College), Victor Perez '23 (MIT), Pablo Rodriguez-Russowsky '23 (Cornell University) and Karyna Steele '23 (Macalester College) arrived early to speak on a panel to the Class of 2026, offering advice and encouragement about the upcoming college process.Read More
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More than a dozen alumni help seniors with mock college interviews
The College Counseling Office hosted a two-part College Interview Workshop. Seniors were invited to a “lunch and learn” as the first of two sessions. This session taught them the fundamental skills and tips for preparing for the college interview. The second part of the series allowed the students to take the skills they learned in the first session and put them into real-world practice. More than a dozen RE Alumni came back to campus and provided mock interviews with RE students. Following the session, the alumni noted how well-prepared the students were.Read More -
Celebrating Our Evolving Curriculum: Excellence, Choice and Wellbeing
We are excited to share some dynamic curriculum changes and enhancements for the 2024-25 school year that demonstrate our commitment to a student experience that fosters academic excellence, provides choice and emphasizes wellbeing.Read More -
Nearly 40 RE students earn National Merit recognition
Seventeen Ransom Everglades students were named National Merit Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Competition: Andrew Gedde '25, Jack He '25, Carlos Horcasitas '25, Hudson Kaplan '25, Alexandra Leiser '25, Paloma Lopes '25, Tian Luan '25, Dieter Manstein '25, David Martinez '25, Victoria Pinilla '25, Max Salomon '25, Kayra Serpenguzel '25, Ethan Sullivan '25, Solon Sun '25, Sindhu Talluri '25, Ethan Thomas '25 and Catherine Zhou '25.Read More -
The Class of 2024 prepares to depart to 73 colleges in 21 states and six countries
RE’s Class of 2024 will be matriculating at 73 colleges and universities in 21 states (and the District of Columbia) and six countries in 2024-25. Ransom Everglades seniors not only will attend traditionally sought-after schools – they received acceptances to all of the Ivy League schools, MIT and Stanford – they also will matriculate at highly selective liberal arts colleges, acclaimed public research institutions, extremely competitive drama/music schools, highly regarded international institutions and universities with renowned specialty programs.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
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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
Accreditations and Memberships
FCIS | SAIS | NAIS | NACAC | SACAC | ACCIS |College Board | CSEE | INDEX | One Schoolhouse
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.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way™, RE Pathways™ and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way™, RE Pathways™ and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.