ELPS Satchel Pulse Survey Data

Family Survey Results Fall 2024

East Lyme Public Schools is committed to fostering a positive and inclusive school climate. To this end, we conducted a comprehensive Parent Survey to gather insights about our schools from the parent community. The survey covered key areas such as belonging and engagement, communication, learning, safety, wellbeing, leadership, school life, and teaching staff. 

Participation: 

• 387 Parent/Guardian Reponses
• With less than a 10 percent response rate, the results of this survey are not statistically valid for drawing broad conclusions.
• However, we value the responses we did receive and will consider them as part of our ongoing improvement efforts. 

 

Belonging and Engagement 

• "I would recommend this school to other parents": Scored an impressive 7.8/10, with 358 total responses. 

• "My student feels welcome in this school": Achieved a strong 8.1/10, reflecting a welcoming environment for students. 

Communication 

• "I feel well-informed by the communications I receive from my school": Received a 7.6/10 average score, showing our efforts to keep parents updated. 

• "The school responds promptly when I contact them": Scored 8.0/10, indicating effective responsiveness. 

Learning 

• "I am happy with the education my child has received this year": Rated 7.8/10, showcasing satisfaction with academic quality. 

• "Teachers listen to my suggestions about how to best support my child": Received a 7.4/10. 

Safety 

• "The school is a safe and respectful environment": Scored 7.7/10, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining safety and respect. 

• "The school deals effectively with bullying": Rated 6.4/10, highlighting an area for ongoing improvement. 

Leadership 

• "I trust the principal to do what they say they will do": Scored 7.3/10, reflecting strong confidence in leadership. 

• "The school is well led and managed": Earned a 7.2/10. 

School Life 

• "I am happy with the overall cleanliness of the school": Achieved a high score of 8.5/10. 

• "The school enforces rules equally for all students": Received 6.9/10. 

Teaching Staff 

• "Students are supported by the teachers": Rated 8.1/10, indicating robust teacher support. 

• "I feel respected by my child’s teachers": Scored an excellent 8.5/10. 

Key Takeaways 

Strengths: 

• High scores in areas such as teaching staff support, communication, and cleanliness highlight our strengths. 
• Parents value the welcoming and safe environment provided by our schools. 

Opportunities for Growth: 

• While scores for bullying prevention and equitable enforcement of rules are satisfactory, these remain priority areas for continued focus and improvement.

Due to a challenge with accessing the family survey, there were two different surveys administered. As a result, for the fall survey, there are two different reports for the family survey. Click the links below to review each full report. 

Family Survey Report #1

Family Survey Report #2

Student Climate Survey Fall 2024

The East Lyme Public Schools recently conducted a district-wide Student Climate Survey for the 2024/2025 school year, with the goal of understanding students' experiences and perceptions of the school environment. The survey assessed key areas such as belonging, safety, relationships, health and wellbeing, academic preparation, and student life. The data gathered will guide ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environment. 

Participation: 

• Respondents: Over 1,600 students district-wide (grades 3-12) 

• Survey conducted using Satchel Pulse platform 

Key Findings by PillaR

Belonging at School

• Most students agree that the school is inclusive, with an average score of 7.0/10. 

• Students feel heard by their teachers (average score: 7.2/10). 

• Representation of diverse backgrounds in class materials and fair treatment by teachers were positively noted (scores: 6.9/10 and 7.8/10 respectively). 

Feeling Safe at School

• Safety while at school and commuting received high marks (scores: 7.1/10 and 8.0/10). 

• Bullying remains an area of concern, with a lower average score of 4.7/10. 

• Students feel generally comfortable with their teachers (score: 7.6/10). 

Health and Wellbeing

• Availability of trained staff for emotional support was rated positively (score: 7.5/10). 

• Opportunities to talk with trusted adults and care for emotional wellbeing scored 7.2/10 and 6.4/10 respectively. 

Learning at School

• Students feel challenged and receive helpful feedback (scores: 7.4/10 and 7.2/10). 

• Homework and interest in learning were rated lower, highlighting opportunities for growth (scores: 6.0/10 and 6.5/10). 

Relationships with Students

• Having friends at school was a standout (score: 7.7/10). 

• Respect among peers and cooperation received mixed ratings, with room for improvement (scores: 5.6/10 and 6.8/10). 

Relationships with Staff

• Trust in teachers and respect for students were rated highly (scores: 7.3/10 and 7.4/10). 

• Teachers’ ability to understand and address students' needs scored lower, at 6.6/10. 

Reward and Recognition

• Students felt acknowledged for their achievements (score: 7.3/10). 

• The frequency and enjoyment of awards and recognition opportunities scored lower (scores: 5.6/10 and 7.1/10). 

Student Life

• Availability of extracurricular activities scored positively (score: 7.3/10). 

• Cleanliness of facilities and students’ sense of importance in attending class were rated moderately (scores: 6.6/10 and 6.7/10). 

Next Steps: 

The survey results provide valuable insights into students' perceptions, guiding the district's efforts to: 

• Enhance inclusivity and ensure all students feel a sense of belonging. 

• Address bullying with targeted interventions. 

• Strengthen peer to peer relationships. 

To view the full report, click below:

Student Survey Report