Quality Schools Follow-up Survey 2017-18 SURVEY RESULTS

GOALS Ask what the Columbia community regards as the most important factors to maintain the current preK-8 system. Ask what the community regards as the most important factors to move to a single designated high school. Ask what the community regards as the most important factors to send middle school students to another district.

Reaching Out An invitation to complete an electronic survey was posted on the district web site and linked to other web sites in the community. Paper survey distribution and collection points were placed in strategic locations around town. 349 survey responses were collected.

Who responded? 84% of respondents were residents of Columbia. 81% have children. 53% currently have children at Horace Porter. 45% have children who previously attended Horace Porter.

Percent Identified as Role* Who responded? ROLE Percent Identified as Role* Parent 61.3% Community Member 46.4% Other 8.3% Teacher/Cert 7.7% Non-cert 2.6% Board 1.7% Admin 1.1% Student 0.3% *Respondents could pick more than one.

Who are the “Other” 8.3%? OTHER Count Future HP Parents 5 Substitute Teachers 4 PTO 3 Coaches Former HP Staff 2 Volunteers Childcare Professionals Assorted 8

Who responded? 21% of adults identified as 55 or older. http://www.city-data.com/city/Columbia-Connecticut.html 79% of adults identified as 54 or younger.

Who responded? http://www.city-data.com/city/Columbia-Connecticut.html

Who responded? http://www.city-data.com/city/Columbia-Connecticut.html

Who responded? http://www.city-data.com/city/Columbia-Connecticut.html 92% of those who responded to this question considered themselves at least “Somewhat Informed.”

Which of These is Most Important in Maintaining the Current K-12 System? Financial/cost per pupil Ability to control the alignment of the middle school curriculum and with the high school(s) of choice Quality of programs offered at Horace Porter (i.e. broad/ diverse curriculum, choice, satisfactory test scores, etc.) Availability of alternate resources in district (i.e. local mentors, Recreation Department, video conferencing, inter- district partnerships/sharing, etc.) Quality of programs offered out of district (i.e. broad/ diverse curriculum, choice, satisfactory test scores, etc.) Small class size with more opportunities for individualized instruction Length of day for students (to include bus transportation) Demographic diversity Ability to control school schedules and/or curriculum, and to authorize adjustments if necessary

Most Important Factors in Maintaining the Current K-12 System Rank (All) Quality of programs offered at Horace Porter (i.e. broad/ diverse curriculum, choice, satisfactory test scores, etc.) 1 Small class size with more opportunities for individualized instruction 2 Quality of programs offered out of district (i.e. broad/ diverse curriculum, choice, satisfactory test scores, etc.) 3 Ability to control the alignment of the middle school curriculum and with the high school(s) of choice 4 Ability to control school schedules and/or curriculum, and to authorize adjustments if necessary 5 Length of day for students (to include bus transportation) 6 Financial/cost per pupil 7 Availability of alternate resources in district (i.e. local mentors, Recreation Department, video conferencing, inter-district partnerships/sharing, etc.) 8 Demographic diversity 9

Which of These is Most Important in Designating a Single High School? Quality of program offerings Logistics (coordinating schedules, transportation, etc.) Variety in course offerings, services, extra-curricular activities, etc. Length of day for students including length of bus rides Opportunity for coordination of curriculum between Porter and the designated high school Maintaining a sense of community Transportation costs (i.e. increased costs to send students to 2 high schools).

Most Important Factors in Designating a Single High School Rank (All) Quality of program offerings 1 Variety in course offerings, services, extra-curricular activities, etc. 2 Opportunity for coordination of curriculum between Porter and the designated high school 3 Logistics (coordinating schedules, transportation, etc.) 4 Maintaining a sense of community 5 Length of day for students including length of bus rides 6 Transportation costs (i.e. increased costs to send students to 2 high shool(s). 7

Which of These is Most Important in Deciding to Tuition Middle School Students to Another District? Financial/cost per pupil Quality and quantity of programs offered at the receiving school. Quality and quantity of programs offered at Horace Porter Availability of extra curricula (elective) course offerings. Quality of programs offered out of district (i.e. broad/ diverse curriculum, choice, satisfactory test scores, etc.) Diversity: school size, economic and social make-up of the school. Length of day for students including length of bus ride. Opportunities to participate in school governance. Increased transportation costs.

Most Important Factors in Deciding to Tuition Middle School Students to Another District Rank (All) Quality and quantity of programs offered at Horace Porter 1 Quality and quantity of programs offered at the receiving school. 2 Quality of programs offered out of district (i.e. broad/ diverse curriculum, choice, satisfactory test scores, etc.) 3 Financial/cost per pupil 4 Availability of extra curricula (elective) course offerings. 5 Length of day for students including length of bus ride. 6 Increased transportation costs. 7 Diversity: school size, economic and social make-up of the school. 8 Opportunities to participate in school governance. 9