OCEAN CITY — Parents of School Choice students have a generally positive impression of what is going on at Ocean City High School, according to a survey the district undertook this spring.
Individual comments ran the gamut from glowing to critical, with some concerned their children weren’t treated the same as those from Ocean City and Upper Township, but others thrilled with being able to attend OCHS.
The survey asked parents about various aspects including the learning environment, how their students are treated, how the district keeps them informed and whether they’re satisfied with extracurricular activities.
Interim Superintendent of Schools Terrence Crowley said the general results were “pretty positive” but they did see a need to improve communications.
With roughly 194 students enrolled at any time in Ocean City High School’s School Choice program, the district received 39 surveys back from parents.
Roughly 75 percent of the responses agreed or strongly agreed with the survey questions, supporting the superintendent’s impression. Approximately a quarter of responses were neutral. There were few areas where parents disagreed or strongly disagreed.
The agreement came on questions such as whether the environment is conducive to learning, that academic needs are met (both scoring in the low 80s for approval) with lower support on questions such as whether parents are encouraged to take part in school events and activities (66 percent).
Survey Results:
— 42.6 percent strongly agree and another 41 percent agree that the environment at OCHS is conducive to learning with the remaining 15.8 percent neutral or disagreeing.
— 43.6 percent strongly agree and 41 percent agree the academic needs of students are met at OCHS with 15.4 percent neutral or disagreeing.
— 41 percent agree and 30.8 percent strongly agree the teachers have built a strong relationship with their child. 25.6 percent were neutral on that with the remainder disagreeing.
— 41 percent agree and 35.9 percent strongly agree that adults who work at OCHS treat students with respect. 23.1 percent were neutral. None disagrees.
— 46.2 percent strongly agree and 35.9 percent agree they are satisfied with extracurricular activities at OCHS. 12.8 percent were neutral with the remainder disagreeing.
— 48.7 percent agree and 17.9 percent strongly agree that the school encourages families to take part in school events and activities. 28.2 percent were neutral with the remainder disagreeing.
— 51.3 percent agree and 25.6 percent strongly agree communications with families occurs in an open and respectful manner. 15.4 percent were neutral with the remainder disagreeing.
— 51.3 percent agree and 23.1 percent strongly agree they are informed about events, academics and extracurricular activities. 23.1 percent were neutral with the remainder disagreeing.
— 46.2 percent agree and 28.2 percent strongly agree they are well informed about how their child is doing in school; 20.5 percent were neutral with the remainder disagreeing.
— 51.3 percent agree and 41 percent strong agree their child has pride in the school and 7.7 percent neutral. None disagrees.
Some individual
feedback negative
Parents raised some individual concerns about acceptance of their students by peers and coaches.
One said Choice students aren’t treated equally by Ocean City resident students and another that as freshmen, they are discriminated against in sports by coaches who are selecting students they know through club sports or middle school programs.
One said Choice students end up sticking together because the bulk of students at OCHS, from Upper Township, had already made friendships in middle school.
Comments included the belief there is a lack of respect for teachers and coaches, that Choice students don’t get the same attention as Upper Township and Ocean City students, and there remains a problem with bathrooms being closed and students forced to “have to eat on a dirty floor.”
One wrote that the “OCHS climate and culture leaves a lot to be desired.”
Offset by the
positive feedback
Other individual feedback in different instances included how well their students are doing at the school, how the services are “great,” how their student has developed a great relationship with teachers and coaches, and how they are happy about the Choice program.
One wrote, “I can’t say enough great things about the quality of education, the communication, extracurriculars and especially guidance department and college/career counseling at OCHS. My kids are so well prepared for life. OCHS is the gold standard. We are lucky to be part of School Choice.”
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff