Community Perceptions of Westlake City Schools Citizen’s Advisory Committee April 2013

Objectives To identify key strengths that result in students attending Westlake City Schools To identify less-strong areas resulting in students attending elsewhere

Survey Respondents Demographics: – Westlake residents – Recency of students in household – Type of school students attended Distribution primarily through district website to SurveyMonkey Committee members contacting private school families via

Type of Household

Type of School

Responses

Structure of Survey A standard set of questions repeated for each level of school: preschool, K-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-12 One or more school levels could be evaluated Respondents indicated their awareness and rated their perception of the quality of the attribute Open-ended questions to capture comments at the end of each question

Evaluation

Survey Topics The overall program Academically advanced programs ‡ Music program ‡ Athletics program ‡ Extra-curricular academic enrichment opportunities ‡ After-school activities (not including topics listed above) ‡ Special needs student resources Technology including computer resources Teaching ability of the faculty Overall healthy social culture and learning environment School service to the community A welcoming feeling at the school ‡ If offered at the level of school

Examples of Survey Question

Preschool 4.9

Preschool Quality Ratings Special needs services4.6/5 Technology including computers3.0/5 Teaching ability of the faculty4.9/5 Healthy social culture and learning environment4.8/5 School service to the community4.2/5 Welcoming feeling at the school4.1/5

Elementary (K-4) 4.3

Elementary (K-4) Quality Ratings Academically advanced programs3.6/5 The music program4.0/5 Extra-curricular academic enrichment3.5/5 After-school activities (excluding above topics)3.8/5 Special needs services4.1/5 Technology including computers3.6/5 Teaching ability of the faculty4.3/5 Healthy social culture and learning environment4.3/5 School service to the community4.2/5 Welcoming feeling at the school4.3/5

Elementary Comments Some concerns about inconsistencies – In perceived quality of instruction – Different approaches to learning – Inconsistencies in ‘Bully Free’ programs across building – Some schools more ‘welcoming’ than others Many concerns regarding gifted and talented programs and services – Program doesn’t incorporate all eligible students – Program is under resourced to save money Perceived lack of extra-curricular academic opportunities, or that they are fee-based – Project Link highly regarded Additional instruction in computer lab/resources

Intermediate (5-6) 3.8

Intermediate (5-6) Quality Ratings Academically advanced programs3.5/5 The music program4.4/5 Extra-curricular academic enrichment3.5/5 After-school activities (excluding above topics)3.3/5 Special needs services3.4/5 Technology including computers3.8/5 Teaching ability of the faculty3.9/5 Healthy social culture and learning environment4.4/5 School service to the community3.8/5 Welcoming feeling at the school4.2/5

Intermediate Comments Many concerns about inconsistencies – In perceived quality of instruction Concerns regarding gifted and talented programs and services – Need additional opportunities for accelerated learning – Academically talented students not in WINGS not having needs met – These students are not encouraged to participate in academic enrichment opportunities; lack of publicity/information sharing regarding academic enrichment opportunities Outstanding music program Technology classes – Improvements noted, would like more offerings and continued improvement

Middle School (7-8) 4.0

Middle School (7-8) Quality Ratings Academically advanced programs3.7/5 The music program4.2/5 The athletics program3.8/5 Extra-curricular academic enrichment3.7/5 After-school activities (excluding above topics)3.8/5 Special needs services4.1/5 Technology including computers3.6/5 Teaching ability of the faculty4.1/5 Healthy social culture and learning environment4.0/5 School service to the community3.7/5 Welcoming feeling at the school3.7/5

Middle School Comments Academically advanced programs – Good for students to be able to take 9 th grade classes in some subjects, expand Many concerns about inconsistencies – In perceived quality of instruction – In coaching Extra curricular opportunities – Academic opportunities perceived to be limited and exclusive in some cases Technology – Need to provide instruction on word processing/computer programming Some concern regarding bullying

High School (9-12) 4.2

High School (9-12) Quality Ratings Academically advanced programs4.4/5 The music program4.5/5 The athletics program4.3/5 Extra-curricular academic enrichment4.3/5 After-school activities (excluding above topics)4.0/5 Special needs services4.1/5 Technology including computers3.6/5 Teaching ability of the faculty3.8/5 Healthy social culture and learning environment3.6/5 School service to the community3.7/5 Welcoming feeling at the school3.6/5

High School Comments Academically advanced programs – Desire to take AP classes prior to jr year – Add humanities AP classes – Appreciative of AP classes and excellent staff Staff – Mixed reviews on instructional abilities of teachers, abilities of guidance department Extra curricular opportunities – Athletics – needs additional developmental programs – Wide variety of opportunities - beneficial Technology – Need to provide instruction on graphic software, advanced technology – Equipment dated Regional focus on collegiate studies – should be expanded to a wider range of universities

Averages by Level of School

Summary of Qualitative Findings Regarding Perception of the Schools: Key Strengths Overall high level of perceived quality – Highest overall ratings Preschool, elementary, and high school – Overall high quality level (  4) attributes Music program (across all levels of schools) Special needs services (across most levels of schools) Healthy social culture and learning environment (across most levels of schools)

Summary of Qualitative Findings Regarding Perception of the Schools: Key Strengths Very high level of perceived quality (  4.3) (by school level, in addition to music and special needs programs, social culture/learning environment) High school: Academically advanced programs, athletics programs Elementary: Teaching ability of the faculty and welcoming feeling at the school Preschool: Teaching ability of the faculty

Averages by Level of School

Summary of Qualitative Findings Regarding Perception of the Schools: Opportunities Overall lower level of comparative quality – Technology including computers (3.7) – Academically advanced programs (3.8) If high school not included (3.6) – Extra curricular academic enrichment (3.8) If high school not included (3.6) Possibly less ‘welcoming’ in middle and high school Differences between buildings in elementary level (not indexed in survey)

Recommendations Technology improvements Market schools to families, welcoming feeling – Particularly prior to transition times – Continue reaching out to recruited students – Highlight high levels of accomplishment in sports and other programs Increase academic enrichment opportunities – Segment of underserved gifted students – During and after school (can be fee-based) Maintain a database of students – Track loss of enrollment by student, exit interviews Quantitative perception study

Additional Questions? Thank you CAC members and research associates Susan Carroll, Patty McHugh, Cecilia Steinman, Laura Steinbrink, Tom Horwitz, Laurie Gettings, Kevin Wang, Ameesh Shah, Carrie Tate