About Us
At Arcilla, we're dedicated to helping you give your child the best opportunities when it comes to their academic journey. The process can be complicated, but with over 60+ years of cumulative experience in education, we're here to make it simple.
Clay Nichols
Clay Nichols has lived a boarding school life. For more than 30 years he has been a campus resident, teaching faculty, administrator, dorm parent, and father to three graduates. When not working in schools, Clay has built brands as a marketer, content creator and entrepreneur, co-authored two books, and created more than a dozen award-winning plays for adults and kids. He is the father of three adult children and lives with his wife Kim in Austin, Texas.
Clayton Smith
Clayton is an admissions and enrollment strategist with more than a decade of experience in independent school admissions and international student recruitment. A former admissions leader and bilingual educator, he has guided families around the world through highly selective boarding and day school admissions processes. Clayton specializes in helping students identify best-fit schools and develop thoughtful, authentic applications that position them for long-term success.