To ensure our self-study is as thorough as possible, we surveyed our students, staff and parents in an effort to understand their perceptions about Antelope High School.  We had impressive participation completing the surveys from our students and staff, but less than 100 parents elected to complete our parent survey.  The survey was online, we had computers open during our back to school night and we sent home reminders via the phone and mail encouraging parents to participate.  The complete surveys are located in the appendix of this report, but the following narratives are some common trends we wish to highlight.

It is encouraging that most of our students find the environment of Antelope High School positive.  Over 70% of our students look forward to coming to school each day and nearly 90% are proud to tell people not associated with our campus, that they are proud to be Titans.  Over 80% of Titans feel safe going to our school and this student confidence makes learning easier for students to concentrate on the targets of classroom instruction.

When it comes to learning and our students’ relationships with teachers, our student responses are encouraging.  Nearly 85% of students believe our school supports all students regardless of ability or past success. The majority of our students are satisfied with the information our counselors provide regarding graduation and college entrance requirements and nearly 85% of students are happy with our teachers’ clarity while teaching.  Nearly 90% of Titans believe the instruction they receive in our classrooms will prepare them for college and over 80% believe our elective program is preparing them for a future career.

The primary focus of our teacher surveys concentrated on instruction at AHS, and the leadership found on campus.  Encouragingly, over 90% of our teachers believe all children can learn, and this same number wants all students to be successful and to reach their learning potential.  Over 85% of teachers believe that AHS promotes an academic learning climate with high expectations for all students.  Nearly all teachers reported that they make sure students master the skills being taught before going to the next learning task which assumes much reflection in lesson planning.  92% of teachers believe there is a school-wide commitment to assessment and accountability and that there is a strong relationship between standardized testing and the school’s curriculum.  Nearly 100% of teachers believe that parent involvement in the school benefits learning, but only 60% believe parents regularly connect with teachers through out the school year.  However, this same percentage believe opportunities to discuss student strengths and weaknesses are limited.  Though teachers don’t get to talk with parents as regularly as they would like, nearly 90% feel supported by their students’ parents.  The greatest area of concern for teachers is having enough time to reach low-achieving students.

Over all, the teachers surveyed are pleased with the principal and the administrative team.  80% of teachers agree the principal is approachable, and the majority of teachers feel our principal deals with campus conflict constructively.  Teachers are pleased with the principal’s publication of school activities and events (over 80%), and believe he actively communicates with teachers and the community.  Teachers (nearly 70%) believe most discipline is handled by teachers on campus, but the same percentage believes they are supported by the AHS administrative team.  In fact, 77% say the school administrators take prompt action when problems on campus occur.  Teachers also believe the expectations for students are made clear by teachers and administration and that students understand the consequences of their misbehaviors are justified.  Nearly 100% of teachers reported that they feel safe while on campus, and feel students also feel safe being at AHS.  Another very positive percentage is that 96% of our teachers believe teachers generally care about the well being of students on campus.

Though we would have liked to have heard from many more parents during our survey period, the school is pleased that the parents that did participate are very pleased with AHS.  Nearly 100% of parents believe the school promotes learning and close to 90% trust that teachers and administration care about the students on campus. When students are struggling with learning, Over 80% of parents trust that teachers are available to students who want help, and most believe AHS is an atmosphere conducive to learning. Nearly 90% of parents shared they believe struggling students get extra help when it is needed at AHS.   82% of parents believe teachers treat all students fairly and consistently.

The environment of the school consistently rated high among AHS parents.  Nearly 100% of parents are pleased with the general order in the school, and find that the school is generally safe and clean.  Beyond the physical environment, parents are pleased overall with communication and the environment the school has to keep parents informed.  Nearly 90% of parents believe there are sufficient opportunities for teachers and parents to discuss students’ strengths and weaknesses even though are teachers would like to see these opportunities increase.  87% of parents feel teachers listen to their concerns and that learning objectives are properly communicated to parents.  When parents want to suggest change at the school, 70% of parents believe the school is open to change and parent input.  From the survey, parents have seen the least information from school comes from information about effective parent techniques so this type of communication needs to be examined with 36% of participants unsure about this channel of information getting to our parent community.

The surveys are valuable information that are being used to create our action plans for the future of AHS, and the administration wishes to thank our students, teachers and parents for taking the time to give us this necessary information.