Admission Process

List of 4 members.

• 

  Leah daPonte Lightcap 

  Director of Admissions & Enrollment

  302-798-6632 Ext 781

  Bio

  Leah has called Archmere home since 2006, first as a Spanish teacher and women’s lacrosse coach, then as Chair of World Languages and Cultures, and now as Director of Enrollment Management & Admissions. She loves helping students and families discover their place at Archmere. Her favorite tradition is the graduation line, where she often celebrates students she first met before they became Auks—a full-circle moment that never gets old.
  
  

  Leah holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Delaware and a Women in Business Leadership Certificate from Harvard. Never quite finished being a student herself, she is continuing her executive education through Wharton. Outside the office, Leah enjoys traveling, has visited 28 countries, speaks Spanish and Portuguese, and believes some of life’s best lessons require a passport. Her two sons are future Auks in the Classes of 2036 and 2040.
• 

  Logan Duffie 

  Associate Director of Admissions; College Counselor

  302-798-6632 Ext 713

  Bio

  Logan joined the Archmere community after nearly 10 years in college admission, working at Ursinus College and Widener University, recruiting both regionally and nationally. Logan has evaluated and interviewed tens of thousands of applicants during his time in college admission and most enjoyed the opportunity to learn about and meet new students and families every year. This practice still remains his favorite part of his job.
  
  In addition to his role in each school's admission department, he also recruited for and coached with the NCAA, Division 3 men's lacrosse programs at both Ursinus College and Widener University, where he still coaches. Logan is also the Head Coach of our incredibly successful Varsity Girls Lacrosse team!
  
  Outside of the office, Logan enjoys Philly sports, Broadway musicals, a well-crafted hoagie, and spending time with friends and family. Logan holds a BA in Economics from Ursinus College and a MEd from Widener University.
• 

  Denise Starnes 

  Admissions & Marketing Coordinator

  302-798-6632 ext. 660

  Bio

  A graduate of Archmere from the class of 1993, Denise returned to her alma mater in 2014 and works to promote the school both through marketing and admissions initiatives. Denise holds a BS in Marketing from Penn State University, where she also completed international marketing studies through the Semester At Sea program, an International Study Abroad Program based out of the University of Pittsburgh, as well as an MEd from Wilmington University.
  
  Denise blends her marketing and educational experience to help recruit new students to Archmere, communicate to prospective families and their elementary schools, and plan admissions events. She is also a parent to four children, including a 2023 graduate and current member of the class of 2027, in addition to two Auks in the class of 2030!
• 

  Patricia Tolvaisa 

  Assistant to the Head of School & Admissions

  302-798-6632 Ext 706

  Bio

  Pat is most likely the first person you will connect with when inquiring about Archmere—A product of Catholic school herself, and well familiarized with our school community after serving two crucial roles over the past eight years, she is a great resource to our families as they walk through our process. As a parent of three students who went through the private-school search and experience, Pat understands firsthand the importance of finding your students’ best fit school.  From our Shadow Days to Private Campus Tours and our Interview Process, Pat’s organization, attention to detail, great sense of humor, and willingness to help makes our process an enjoyable one.