A Conversation with Verona and Jacquie
Let’s take a few moments to find out who Verona Keating and Jacquie Quigley are, how their practice, Keating Quigley Educational Advisors, came to be, and what qualifies them to help families along the path to finding the right school for their children.
So Who are Verona and Jacquie?
First and foremost, Verona and Jacquie are parents, each having raised three children in a combination of public and private school environments, and are proud to say their children are all making their way in school and life. This is a frightfully short sentence to describe a lifetime of learning and caring. All the more reason to call Verona and Jacquie to learn more. Moving on!
Jacquie has vast experience as an independent school administrator, and as a training and marketing professional in the corporate world. Verona also has a strong independent school background, focusing on admissions, as well as her work as an international public relations and marketing professional. Again, just a snapshot, but why don’t you click here to read more about their professional backgrounds.
Both of the founding partners took the best parts of their experience working on the other side of the desk as admissions and school counseling directors, as well as their first-hand understanding of what families are looking for, and resolved to share this expertise to help families find the best-fit schools for their children.
The Keating Quigley Raison d'Être
Jacquie and Verona share their knowledge of the education landscape — which stretches from preschool through higher education — with their clients. They understand a family’s anxieties and goals as they embark on the search for a school that will challenge and enrich their child while also providing a well-rounded, joyful, and developmentally-appropriate education.
Through their boutique-style consulting practice they recognize that no two children are alike. They create a tailored admission process expressly for each student. They accomplish this through transparent discussions with families, students, and schools, to demystify the process. Families can be confident they have the information they need to make informed decisions.
Some Specifics - How Do They Do That?
- Admissions support for families with children entering preschool through high school
- Essay development and guidance
- Enrichment support
- Social-emotional and academic workshops for parents and student
- Relocation assistance
Let’s Hear from Jacquie & Verona
Jacquie Quigley
- Character matters
- Transparency
- Collaboration
- Student Empowerment
When asked how Jacquie believes KQ differs from other educational consultants, she responded that “At Keating Quigley, I feel we truly collaborate with families and students. We dig deep into student profiles and take a long-term view of their educational journey.” She added that she has some basic advice for families, “Be open-minded and empower your child in the school search. Trust your gut reaction: you’re usually right. Don’t lock into a school “brand” but rather focus on the fit.”
Jacquie highlighted that a successful school search requires open communication and collaboration every step of the way. She stresses the importance of getting to know the goals of the parents and the students, creating a detailed profile that is representative of the student’s academic, extra-curricular, and character. Developing the life skills involved in the school search along with supporting their social-emotional needs also becomes an integral part of Jacquie’s work with her students. In summary, Jacquie sees the big picture!
Verona Keating
- Individual approach
- Partnership
- Community
- Student Profile
Verona has worked in the school environment for many years and has found there are a few things to keep in mind to find the “best-fit” school. Verona states “I realize that no two children learn the same way. Each child has their personality traits, strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes, curiosities, and a long list of other attributes to consider in planning how to reach the best outcome. The school search process is therefore like a giant jigsaw puzzle. My job is to help families and students fit all the pieces together.” Otherwise said, there is no ‘one size fits all approach’.
Verona shared good advice for parents who are considering switching their child/children to another school, “An optimal learning environment is crucial in the foundational years. This is what sets a child up to be a curious, lifelong engaged learner. Look for a school that places emphasis on character, learning style, and extracurricular interests, as well as academics. Look for a school where your child will be seen and heard. The sense of community your child finds in their best-fit school will be a key to their success.”
Why Work with Keating Quigley Education Consultants?
Verona and Jacquie have successfully led many families through their school searches. Their experience working as admissions and school counseling directors -- combined with their own experience as parents searching for educational opportunities for their own three children -- allows them to share their expertise with families and help to find best-fit schools and solutions.
They have also provided valuable guidance to students who are working on admissions essays and preparing for interviews. These one-on-one consultations, based on parent input, organic conversations, student profiles, and years of experience conducting these reviews from a school’s perspective, are what make Keating Quigley experts in the school search field.
Jacquie and Verona take great pride in the relationships they build with the parents and students they place. Open and clear communication, sincere passion for the well-being of the children they assist, and years of experience in the field of school admissions, all come together to help families along that path to successful school placements.
