Kristen J. Naspo, M.A.

Prior to becoming an educational consultant, Krissy Naspo spent twelve years in boarding school admissions, the last seven as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the Hillside School, a junior boarding school in Marlborough, Massachusetts.  Prior to Hillside Krissy was an Assistant Director of Admissions at the Portsmouth Abbey School, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and an Associate Director of Admissions at St. Andrews School, in Barrington, Rhode Island. While at Hillside School, Krissy was also responsible for secondary school placement and helped students explore and select the “right” next step on their educational path.  In the last 5 years, Krissy has been a fulltime educational consultant, providing services for both traditional boarding school candidates and those needing therapeutic school placements.

Throughout Krissy’s years as an Admissions Director and at boarding school, she has learned the value and importance of having international students be a part of an institution.  Through Krissy’s leadership in Hillside’s Admissions office, international representation at the school grew from five to fifteen countries, a result of her extensive travel experience and development of positive relationships with families, consultants, and schools located throughout Asia, Mexico, El Salvador, Bermuda and the Caribbean. 

In addition to her wealth of knowledge in the international arena, Krissy’s twelve years of boarding school experience made her a natural selection for presentations regarding boarding school life and options for families and students.  She has presented on various panels in New York City, the Bahamas, Japan, and Hong Kong.  She was on the Steering Committee for the Junior Boarding School Association (JBSA) for five years and represented the Board in various capacities. Krissy is the Past Chair of the Schools Committee for IECA and is on the Board of Trustees for the IECA Foundation.  She has also presented and done webinars for the Association of Independent Schools Admissions Professionals (AISAP), and has presented multiple times at IECA. 

Krissy is also an experienced consultant working with at-risk teens and young adults.  She works with students needing a more therapeutic setting and those who have been to a program and are looking to make the transition back to traditional schools.  She has presented to traditional school admissions officers about working with and preparing for students coming from therapeutic programs and has worked with numerous students who have had a miss-step in the traditional school world and need a more structured environment.  

Krissy is a graduate of Lawrence Academy in Groton, Massachusetts and attended Providence College, where she earned both Bachelors and Masters Degrees.

What people say about working with Krissy:

"Krissy, Thank you so much for all your help on this new journey for us.  You've been an amzing resource for our family." — Parent

“Krissy has been absolutely invaluable in regards to the education of our son. She first started giving us advise in the fall of 2008 when my husband and I were initiating the search for a secondary school. She not only had a true sense of what would be good for him, but an incredible knowledge and familiarity of a wide range of schools. He ended up attending (boarding school), which was truly a perfect fit. We again turned to Krissy for her thoughts and suggestions as we maneuvered through the process of finding the right college. Once again,we could not possibly have done it without the advice and suggestions that she gave us. [[Son’s name]] is currently a sophomore at (college), where could not be happier!” — Parent

“I have known Kristen for 10 years.  During our years together at Hillside she became a valued and trusted Director of Admission, an important component of our school community, and a dear friend of our family.  In her new role as an educational consultant, I have such respect for her that I have hired her to work with my daughter as she considers secondary boarding schools.” — Headmaster, Hillside School

“We worked with Krissy to choose a secondary school for our two boys.  Her knowledge about the schools was exceptional, but what we feel really made the process worthwhile was her relationships at the schools.  She had an excellent handle on each school, not just what they offered on the surface as far as curriculum, student life and activities; but a real feel for the culture and direction of each school.  Krissy knows exactly when to check in with admissions, knows what questions to ask and because she is so well respected in this community she gets information back. We found Krissy honest in her interactions with our family and the schools and she established a nice bond with us.  We felt very comfortable asking her questions along the way and understanding the process.  Our children could not be happier with their school, it has been a great fit for both of them!!” — Parent

“Krissy Naspo is an expert regarding the adolescent and education. Her understanding of the needs of each individual as well as her intimate knowledge of independent schools, makes her an asset to each of the students with whom she works. She is a strong advocate for her families and communicates holistically and honestly with schools. Krissy is regarded as an outstanding professional in the educational industry.” —Admission Director, Secondary Boarding School

"Within moments Krissy’s knowledge, enthusiasm and care were apparent. I felt heard. My daughter felt heard. Not a wave of the hand or the tone of I know better what you need. She got to know us, what we were looking to accomplish and what type of environment we sought. Krissy was positive, candid and forthright; she encouraged hope where there was legitimate possibility but discouraged us from focusing on schools she knew did not fit our criteria.... Being so knowledgeable— re school offerings and availability—and realistic about timing not only streamlined the process but took the fear out of it."—Parent

Affiliations include:

• Professional Member, Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)
• Member, Lawrence Academy Board of Visitors
• Chair, IECA Foundation Board of Trustees
• Past member, Steering Committee, Junior Boarding School Association
• Past Chair, IECA Schools Committee

Speaking engagements include:

• Krissy has presented on numerous panels in New York City, the Bahamas, Japan, and Hong Kong.