Spofford

 Pond  School  Parent  Survey,  June  2009  

Summary  of  Findings  
 
 
The  second  Spofford  Pond  Parent  Survey  was  conducted  in  June  of  2009  to  gauge  and  track  trends  in  
parent  satisfaction  with  Spofford  Pond  School’s  faculty  and  administration.  Of  the  approximately  426  
families,  we  saw  134  parents  complete  the  survey  for  31.4%  response  rate.  
 
SURVEY  HIGHLIGHTS  
• Overall,  satisfaction  levels  remain  very  positive  and  compared  to  2008,  increased  slightly  
across  all  areas.    
• Almost  80%  of  respondents  believe  that  Spofford  Pond’s  environment  is  warm  and  
welcoming,  while  almost  87%  of  parents  believe  that  important  school  issues  are  
communicated  clearly.  In  2008,  71%  of  parents  indicated  that  Spofford  Pond’s  environment  
was  warm  and  welcoming  and  79%  of  parents  believed  that  import  school  issues  were  
communicated  clearly.  
• Up  five  percent  from  2008,  75%  of  responding  parents  agree  that  the  administration  shows  
respect  for  parents’  questions  and  opinions  and  85%  of  parents  agree  that  the  faculty  
members  handle  questions  and  concerns  in  a  timely  manner.  Sixty-­‐four  percent  (64%)  of  
parents  agree  that  the  administration  follows  through  on  questions,  concerns  and  
resolutions,  up  almost  10%  from  2008.  
• More  children  know  the  school  rules  and  consequences.  85%  of  parents  agree  that  students  
know  the  rules  and  consequence  for  breaking  those  rules.  In  2008,  80%  of  parents  agreed  
that  children  knew  the  rules  and  consequences.  
• Communication  about  school  goals  may  be  an  area  for  improvement.  Falling  16%  from  2008,  
only  56%  of  parents  agree  that  the  school  goals  are  clearly  communicated.  Forty-­‐three  
percent  (43%)  agree  that  progress  toward  those  goals  is  clearly  communicated,  compared  
with  60%  of  parents  in  2008.    
• Slightly  up  from  2008,  67%  of  parents  agree  that  the  principal  demonstrates  communication  
skills  that  are  clear,  direct  and  responsive.  60%  agree  that  the  principal  shows  strong  
organization  leadership  skills  (compared  with  57%  in  2008).  
• Everyone  at  Spofford  pond  demonstrates  an  atmosphere  of  respect  for  self  and  others.  Up  
9%  from  2008,  seventy-­‐six  percent  (76%)  of  parents  agree  that  the  principal  demonstrates  
 respect,  while  86%  of  parents  agree  that  the  faculty  demonstrates  an  atmosphere  of  respect  
for  self  and  others,  up  from  72%  in  2008.  
 
SELECTED  COMMENTS  
• Comment  1  
o A+  across  the  board.  Another  outstanding  year.  My  only  complaint  is  I  would  like  to  
see  more  physical  activity  in  the  curriculum  each  week.  As  rewards…  Instead  of  
prizes  and  parties  with  food  and  beverage,  get  the  kids  outside  or  in  the  gym  for  a  
fun  activity.  
• Comment  2  
o 1)  My  not  knowing  the  goals  could  be  me  not  looking  for  them  or  not  attending  
meetings  there.    
2)  I  have  had  limited  direct  contact  and  only  one  episode  of  unclear  communication  
which  was  later  clarified.  (#13)  
3)  Faculty  treatment  and  respect  varies  by  faculty  member,  most  are  great  but  
specific  others  could  certainly  use  some  improvement.  (#17)  
3)  I  feel  that  the  school  has  really  improved  a  lot  over  the  years  and  that  the  current  
leadership  has  fostered  more  warmth  within  the  school  and  improved  kid  
friendliness.  I  feel  that  Spofford  is  moving  in  the  right  direction.  Good  work!  
 
ACTIONS  TO  BE  TAKEN  
• Beginning  immediately,  the  principal  will  use  The Spofford Times  and  additional  parent  
coffees  to  communicate  about  more  of  the  goals  and  School  Improvement  Plan  of  the  
school.  
• The  principal  will  also  prepare  and  disseminate  a  mid-­‐year  report  of  progress  of  the  goals  of  
the  School  Improvement  Plan.  
• We  plan  on  implementing  the  Spofford  Pond  School  Parent  Survey  again  in  June  2010  for  
benchmarking  purposes.