By Christine Erntson, marketing and communications coordinator
October 14, 2022 | 7 a.m.

The DAC (District Advisory Committee) conducts an annual climate survey every school year for all stakeholders (parents, staff, and students). The surveys rate overall satisfaction but look at the areas of Academic Excellence, Character, Partnership/Collaboration, and Safety/Wellness in light of the PACT mission statement: Partnering as parents, students, and staff to develop students of character and academic excellence.

The data collected is used in several ways, goal setting, finding areas of improvement, and watching trends in areas that could be of strengths or weaknesses, etc. 

Here is a snapshot of last year's results:

• Last January, the surveys were distributed, and 60% of families (parents), 98% of staff, and 78% of students (5-12 grade) participated. The overall combined satisfaction was 75%. 
• The top five reasons for families to continue enrollment at PACT were 1) Small Class Size, 2) Emphasis on Character, 3) Teaching Staff, 4) Non-school Fridays/Schedules, and 5) Culture of Parent Involvement. 
• Elementary and Secondary parents made numerous positive comments about the teachers and staff and commented on liking the small school and class sizes. The most significant concern was the lack of extracurriculars and elective course offerings. 
• The PACT staff commented on the wonderful community of staff and students they work with but showed concerns over pay and feeling stretched thin. 
• The student echoed the parents' desire for more elective and extracurricular options but had a lot of positive comments about teachers, peers, and staff is a highlight. They also like non-school Fridays and being in a small school, but they wish lunch were better. 

Overall, PACT is a great place to be, whether staff, student, or parent. As we look to the future of the two campuses and the many opportunities that will afford the school to offer more to students, we are hopeful PACT will become an even better place to belong. 

To view the full report, visit this link.