Fall Survey Results
Dear Families and Students,
Your voice matters! I wanted to share highlights from the Fall 2024 Family and Student surveys. Your feedback drives our commitment to a strong and inclusive learning environment.
The percentage next to each category is representative of favorable responses. Additionally, there is an AI-generated* summary of the written responses from each group. The Spring Survey will open on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, and we would greatly appreciate your participation and feedback.
For Grades 6-12:
*School Belonging: 41% of students feel like valued members of the school.
*School Climate: 35% of students have a positive perception of the overall social and learning climate of the school
*School Safety: 60% of students feel physically and emotionally safe.
*Teacher-Student Relationships: 44% rated the connection with teachers positively.
*Engagement Challenges: Only 23% of students are actively excited about their classes.
For Grades 3-5:
*School Belonging: 52% of students feel valued.
*School Climate: 48% find the overall learning environment positive.
*School Safety: 60% of students feel physically and emotionally safe.
*Teacher-Student Relationships: 62% of students perceive their teachers as respectful
*School Engagement: Only 60% of students are actively excited about their classes.
What are two things that this school could do to improve? Please be as specific as possible.
*To improve the overall school environment, several key areas need attention. Many students voiced concerns about the quality of food, suggesting that meals should be served at the correct temperature, with greater variety and options for dietary restrictions. Restrooms also require significant improvements, with issues regarding cleanliness, maintenance, and pest control. Classroom environments could benefit from better space management and more individualized teaching, as students expressed feeling rushed through lessons. Recess time needs to be extended, and playgrounds should have more equipment to encourage physical activity. Teachers should strive for more positive interactions, with a focus on kindness, respect, and fair discipline. Anti-bullying initiatives should be strengthened, while phone policies could be adjusted to allow more flexibility. Longer passing periods would help alleviate stress during transitions between classes, and more variety in electives and specials would enrich the educational experience. Finally, increasing field trips and extracurricular activities would provide students with broader learning opportunities and enhance their overall school experience.
What are two things that this school does well and should continue? Please be as specific as possible.
*The school has cultivated a positive and supportive environment through its exceptional staff and a variety of engaging activities that contribute significantly to student satisfaction. One of the standout features of the school is its dedicated teachers, who are consistently praised by students for being not only knowledgeable and skilled but also kind, approachable, and empathetic. These teachers are instrumental in ensuring that students feel safe and understood, particularly when it comes to addressing issues like bullying and personal challenges. They create an atmosphere of respect, fostering a learning environment where students are encouraged to succeed and feel comfortable expressing their concerns. Furthermore, the teachers are recognized for their ability to make lessons clear and engaging, ensuring that students not only understand but enjoy their learning experience.
Another notable strength of the school is its emphasis on providing fun and enriching activities that break up the academic routine. Events like multi-specials days, field trips, and Fun Fridays offer students a chance to participate in activities that promote physical fitness, creativity, and social bonding. These activities give students the opportunity to relax and recharge, making the school day more balanced and enjoyable. Students appreciate having breaks throughout the day, such as recess, which allows them to release energy and return to class more focused. The ability to enjoy a variety of extracurricular activities, clubs, and free-time options during lunch further enhances students' sense of belonging and engagement with the school community. Together, these elements create a well-rounded school experience that supports both the academic and emotional well-being of students.
For Families:
*Barriers to Engagement: 76% – Factors that create challenges for families to interact with or become involved with their child's school.
*Family Efficacy: 50% – How confident families are with key parenting skills.
*Family Engagement: 32% – The degree to which families become involved with and interact with their child's school.
*Family Support: 62% – Families’ perceptions of the amount of academic and social support they provide their child outside of school.
*School Climate: 50% – Perceptions of the overall social and learning climate of the school.
*School Fit: 46% – Families’ perceptions of how well a school matches their child's developmental needs.
If you were in charge of the school, how would you try to engage more parents from your community?
*If I were in charge of the school, I would work to engage more parents by creating more opportunities for involvement, such as offering events like pep rallies, field trips, classroom activities, and family-friendly nights, such as art shows, STEM events, and social gatherings. I would improve communication by sending regular, proactive updates through emails and newsletters, ensuring parents have enough notice to participate in events and activities. To foster a more welcoming environment, I would focus on making staff more approachable and responsive, ensuring that concerns are addressed with empathy. I would also reintroduce student-focused activities, such as fun runs, arts showcases, and other extracurricular activities, to encourage community involvement and provide students with memorable experiences. Additionally, I would offer flexible meeting times and find ways to accommodate parents’ schedules, making it easier for them to get involved. By implementing these strategies, I would aim to build stronger connections between the school and its families, ultimately increasing parent engagement in the school community.
