In recent months, we've offered a few posts here in our Scholar's Forum having to do with the impact and opportunity of Petra Academy's particular brand of classical Christian education.
In January, we introduced you to senior Valerie Lewis and the significant impact her time at Petra has had on her life. In February, I recounted a conversation with a mom weary of the cultural tension she felt sending her kids to a classical Christian school.
As we open up enrollment and finish the month of March, I'd like to combine an interesting 2017 study by the Barna Research Group (What Parents Look for in Christian Schools) with a few takeaways from Association of Classical and Christian School president, David Goodwin. Whether you're a current or prospective Petra parent, I trust you'll find yourself somewhere in the study.
The Goals of Education
One question we always ask parents (current and prospective) during enrollment season is, "What are your education goals for your kids?" Barna posed a similar question and received familiar answers:
“When it comes to what they consider to be the goals or ultimate purpose of education, parents of both current ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) students and prospective students want more for their children than a list of accomplishments or path to wealth. Parents clearly think of schools as meeting a complex range of student and family needs. Of course, that includes academic subjects. It also includes other ways of developing and nurturing children.
Barna asked these parents to choose the top five purposes of education. For both groups of parents, the most selected goal of education is to instill strong principles and values (current: 69%, prospective: 53%)."
While it may seem there are differences between prospective and current parents' views, they are not so much qualitative as quantitative ones; both sets of parents want similar things, but the ordering and value of priorities is not the same. For instance:
“Prospective parents are more focused on objectives related to personal achievement and social skills like 'practical life skills' (51% compared to 31%), 'increased opportunities in life' (45% compared to 29%), and a 'fulfilling career' (38% compared to 22%). On the other hand, parents of current students place a higher priority on spiritual goals and a lower value on personal achievement...In addition to instilling strong principles and values, a majority of parents of current students place a high priority on five goals that include 'love for God and other people' (65% compared to 33%), the 'ability to apply their knowledge' (referred to as wisdom) (60% compared to 47%), 'faithfulness and obedience to God' (54% compared to 21%) and 'leadership skills' (52% compared to 46%).”
Writes Goodwin:
“Some parents may be vocal about STEM, sports, or AP electives. And some may care about these things. But, we should not take our eyes off what they really want the most."
What Parents Want When Choosing a School
It's no surprise that what Barna learned about what parents most want when choosing a school had to do with safety and staff:
“Most parents are looking for a school that aligns with their general ideas about education—what a school should do. However, parents’ specific priorities when it comes to choosing a school seem to reveal another side to what they value in an education—what a school should be like.
Safety’s first. Next come quality teachers, academic excellence, and character development. Barna asked parents to rate 23 characteristics of a school from 'essential' to 'nice to have' to 'not necessary.'"
Writes Goodwin:
“Safety is at the top. This could be physical (building security). But, these days, it's often the safety of their child’s feelings within the community...And genuine love cares for the souls of the students; it’s not simply a synonym for niceness. Parents can perceive the genuine love of a school as they interact with it.
There’s no substitute for good teachers. If your school values caring teachers who are accessible, it will be noticed."
Regardless of whether you're a current or prospective Petra parent, do these findings resonate with you? Are these some of the reasons you're at Petra...or are thinking about being so? I'd love to hear your thoughts and interact if you'd care to email me.