Mondays with Mike: Insights and Actions from 2024 Parent Survey

This week on “Mondays with Mike,” we dive into the valuable feedback received from our recent parent survey. With over 200 responses, we gain insights into how well Portsmouth Christian Academy is fulfilling with our mission and vision according to our parent community.

Your more than 200 responses reflect participation from approximately a third of our student body. This engagement is crucial for our ongoing assessment and improvement. Know that your voice individually and your feedback collectively, really matter and help us as a school to get better for the benefit of your child and all our students at PCA!

Click above to hear Mike’s 10-minute message on topics relevant for you and your family.

Below is a summary of the podcast above:

• Satisfaction Levels: While overall satisfaction remains solid, there’s been a noticeable decline over the past two years. Initial post-COVID feedback was overwhelmingly positive (at the excellent to world-class levels), but recent surveys indicate room for improvement to regain your fullest confidence. Overall, we have dropped to a good school this year, from a great school last year. Your assessment of our youngest grades is strongest, with a drop in the middle grades and some increase from there for our upper grades. Our aim is to be very good to excellent in all divisions of our school, for your children’s good.
• Newer vs. Longer-term PCA Families: New families tend to rate their experience as very good, whereas those who’ve been part of our community for three years or more report a decline in satisfaction, telling us we are good. We aim to be very good to excellent across every grade and every subject.
• Christian Worldview: Your feedback strongly supports our integration of a Christian worldview into education, with high marks for faith demonstration by teachers and the impact on relationships with your kids, our students.

• Educational Consistency: The need for consistent educational experiences year over year is evident, highlighting the challenge of maintaining high standards of student experiences in our classrooms year over year. We are committed to doing this better.
• Communication and Clarity: Enhancements in communication about academic expectations and homework relevance are critical for you as parents. We have work to do across the board.
• Curricular Alignment: We’re committed to reviewing and aligning our curriculum to ensure it meets high standards and supports transitions between educational stages (Lower, Middle, and Upper School).

• Curriculum Development: Ongoing efforts to refine the curriculum at the unit level across all grades, aiming for alignment and clarity that matches our students’ growing needs.
• Balance in Rigor: Addressing feedback on the academic rigor to ensure challenges are appropriate across different divisions.
• Feedback Implementation: Plans to adjust based on feedback, with immediate actions to improve communication and educational processes.

• Commitment to Excellence: We’re dedicated to leveraging your feedback to enhance our strengths and address areas needing improvement. Please let us know how we conclude this year and begin next year.
• Gratitude: Your involvement is invaluable, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to nurture Christ-centered relationships within our community.

Next Steps: Expect to see the impact of these initiatives with a focus on finishing the current academic year strongly and even more into next fall. Again, please keep the feedback coming.