1. Online Survey of Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District Students, Parents, Teachers & Staff Summary Report May 2015

2. Project Purpose
The purpose of the survey was to gather feedback from the school community including students, parents, teachers and staff at Los Gatos High School, Saratoga High School, Middle College, the Nova Program and within the administration regarding academics, campus life, teaching, stress, student harassment, competition, and other pertinent topics. Feedback from the school community will be used to make strategic decisions that will improve the schools and school experience for all groups.

3. District Office/ Post Secondary
Methodology
Conducted March 25 – April 15, 2015
4,086 total interviews, Margin of Error ± 1.5 percentage points
District students were provided class time to complete the survey; District parents, teachers and staff were ed a survey invitation, with up to 2 reminders for those who did not respond
Throughout this presentation, valid responses only are shown, which means that respondents who answered “don’t know” are removed from analysis, unless otherwise noted
Los Gatos
Saratoga
Middle College
NOVA Program
District Office/ Post Secondary
Total
Response Rate
Student
1505
1113 20 21 -
2659
Parent
710
498 6 3
1217
21%
Teacher 71 54 1 2
128
78%
Staff 34 82
57%
Totals
2320
1699 27 25 4
4,086
Please note that due to rounding, percentages may not add up to exactly 100%

4. Key Findings
Students, parents, teachers and staff at the Districts’ high schools are very happy with their schools.
Quality of academics and instruction are areas of strength for both high schools.
Respondents from both high school communities indicate that Tutorial is an essential tool for keeping up with course work and connecting with teachers.
Teachers and staff at both high schools rate most aspects of their jobs very positively.
Areas on which to focus improvements include student stress levels, academic competition between students, and intolerance and harassment amongst students.

5. Student Profile

6. Student Demographics Los Gatos Saratoga Middle College NOVA Program
Gender
Male
45%
49%
50%
48%
Female
38%
Ethnicity
White
68%
25%
Asian/Pacific Islander
11%
53%
20% 5%
Other
22%
30%
Sexuality
Straight
84%
88%
75%
76%
Gay/Lesbian/ Bisexual/Other
16%
12%
24%
Home Zip
95030
34% 4%
17%
95032
41% 1%
35%
95033
18% 0% 6%
95070
89% 8%
Other/Nothing 7%
Languages Spoken at Home
Spanish 9%
33%
Chinese
31% -
10%
Other Asian/Pac-Is
13%
Middle Eastern/Hindi
14%
None
81%
67%

7. After Graduation Plans
Los Gatos Students
Los Gatos Parents
Saratoga Students
Saratoga Parents
2-year school 6% 4% 5%
4-year school
81%
89%
88%
92%
Tech/Vocational school 1% 0%
Other 2%
Don’t know 8% 3%
Q68: As of right now, what are your/ your child’s plans following graduation from high school?

8. Saratoga High School

9. Saratoga High School Key Findings
Students, parents, teachers and staff in the Saratoga High School community are very satisfied with the school.
Ratings of the quality of academics and instruction are outstanding, and the community gives very positive feedback about teachers, learning tools like Tutorial and technology, and recognizing student achievement and success.
Teachers and staff rate most areas of their jobs very positively.
Areas on which to focus improvements include addressing academic competition between students, student stress levels, the level of school spirit, and intolerance and harassment amongst students.

10. SHS Overall Satisfaction
The majority of SHS students, parents, teachers and staff are happy with Saratoga HS.
Overall, I like attending SHS.
Overall, I feel enrolling my child at SHS was a good decision.
Overall, I enjoy working at SHS.
(SHS ONLY)
Q61-Q63: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.

11. Student Grade – Self and Parent Assessments by School
Most SHS students and parents give themselves an A or a B. Parents are slightly more generous in their grading.
Q7: What grade would you give yourself (student) / your child (parent) as a student, factoring in academic achievement, participation in extracurricular activities, and overall contribution to the student body and campus? (n=3876)

12. SHS Attributes Ratings of LGHS are overwhelmingly positive.
There is some room for improvement in the level of school spirit.
The overall quality of academics and instruction
SHS overall
The quality of school buildings and grounds
The quality and availability of non-academic programs
The level of school spirit
(SHS ONLY)
Q14-Q18: Please rate the following general aspects of Saratoga High School using a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

13. SHS Academic Attributes
SHS respondents rate academic attributes such as quality and availability of AP/Honors classes, the quality of library services and course materials very highly.
The quality and availability of AP/ Honors classes
The quality of library services
The overall quality of course books, supplies, and learning materials
The overall variety of courses
The overall learning environment
Teachers’ ability to keep students interested in course material
The non-college track course options
(SHS ONLY)
Q19-Q28:Please rate the following aspects of academic programs at Saratoga/ High School using a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

14. SHS Learning Tools
Most SHS students, parents, teachers and staff agree that the use of computers and technology and Tutorial effectively enhance learning and are essential for student learning.
Tutorial is essential in helping me connect and communicate with my teachers.
Tutorial is essential in helping me learn and keep up with my coursework.
Computers and technology are utilized effectively to enhance my learning.
(SHS ONLY)
Q35-37: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following
statements.

15. SHS School Job Ratings
SHS receives excellent job ratings on honoring the diversity and differences of the student body and recognizing students for school performance and accomplishments.
The job the school has done honoring the diversity and differences of the student body
The recognition students receive for school performance and accomplishments
The job the school has done fostering a sense of global responsibility among students
The job the school has done fostering a love for learning among students
(SHS ONLY)
Q45-Q46, Q49-Q50: Please rate the following aspects of campus life and student support services at Los Gatos High School/ Saratoga High School/ the NOVA program/ Middle College using a scale of 1 to 7,where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

16. SHS Administration and Student Support Systems
SHS respondents give positive ratings of the SHS principal and assistant principals, guidance counselors and counseling office staff, and main office staff.
The effectiveness of the school principal and assistant principals
The effectiveness of the guidance counselors in addressing academic or personal problems
The effectiveness of the counseling office staff in informing students about courses needed for post-graduate plans
The effectiveness of the guidance counselors in helping you make decisions relating to current and future courses
The effectiveness of the main office staff
(SHS ONLY)
Q40-Q44: Please rate the following aspects of campus life and student support services at Los Gatos High School/ Saratoga High School/ the NOVA program/ Middle College using a scale of 1 to 7,where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

17. SHS Administration and Student Support Systems
Most respondents agree that the SHS administration responds appropriately to student harassment complaints and that staff & teachers apply discipline fairly.
The administration responds appropriately to student complaints regarding harassment and personal safety
Staff and teachers communicate and apply school discipline fairly
The manner in which the administration handles student harassment by other students
(SHS ONLY)
Q58, Q60: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.
Q48: Please rate the following aspects of campus life and student support services at LGHS/SHS using a scale of 1 to 7,where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

18. SHS Teachers/Teaching
A majority of SHS respondents agree that teachers provide students with adequate help and support.
Teachers provide me/students with adequate help and support
My/my students’ homework, tests, &assignments are returned and graded in a timely manner.
I/my students receive helpful and actionable feedback needed to excel or improve performance.
I am/my students are given opportunities to learn from mistakes & excel in my classes once learning expectations are mastered.
The manner in which teachers handle concerns/ questions
Your teacher’s/teachers’ ability to keep students interested in course material
(SHS ONLY)
Q29-Q32, Q38: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.
Q27, Q47: Please rate the following aspects of campus life and student support services at LGHS/ SHS using a scale of 1 to 7,where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

19. SHS Student Safety and Harassment
SHS respondents say students feel safe and generally treat each other with respect, but nearly a third agree that intolerance and harassment are big problems among students.
I/My child/My students feel safe on the school campus.
I feel like I am generally treated with respect by other students./Students generally treat each other with respect.
The administration responds appropriately to student complaints regarding harassment and personal safety.
Intolerance and harassment are big problems amongst the students.
(SHS ONLY)
Q53-Q54, Q58-Q59: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.

20. SHS Stress, Competition, & Emotional Health
The majority of SHS students, parents, teachers and staff agree that there is a very high level of academic competition amongst students, and many disagree that students’ stress levels are appropriate.
There is a very high level of academic competition amongst the students.
I/my child/my students sometimes need/s additional support to keep up with the coursework (see slide 18 re: satisfaction with support provided).
Course content is an appropriate difficulty level for me/my child/my students.
My/my child’s/my students’ stress level is appropriate.
(SHS ONLY)
Q33-Q34, Q51, Q56: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.

21. SHS Teacher/ Staff Attributes
SHS teachers and staff rate most aspects of their job very positively, and are particularly positive about their confidence in their colleagues.
(SHS TEACHERS/STAFF SHS ONLY)
Q69-Q77: Please rate the following aspects your working environment at Los Gatos High School/ Saratoga High School/ the NOVA program/ Middle College using a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

22. Los Gatos High School

23. Los Gatos High School Key Findings
Overall, respondents in the Los Gatos High School community are very satisfied with the school. The overwhelming majority of students, parents, teachers and staff are glad they attend/send their kids to/work at LGHS.
The LGHS community is particularly satisfied with the quality and variety of academic programs and AP/Honors courses, the level of school spirit, and the use of learning tools.
Almost all LGHS respondents view Tutorial as an essential tool for keeping up with course work and connecting with teachers.
Areas on which to focus improvements include student stress levels, academic competition between students, and intolerance and harassment amongst students.

24. LGHS Overall Satisfaction
LGHS students, parents, and teachers & staff are overwhelmingly satisfied with LGHS.
Overall, I like attending LGHS.
Overall, I feel enrolling my child at LGHS was a good decision.
Overall, I enjoy working at LGHS.
(LGHS ONLY)
Q61-Q63: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.

25. Student Grade – Self and Parent Assessments by School
The vast majority of LGHS students and parents give students and A or B.
Q7: What grade would you give yourself (student) / your child (parent) as a student, factoring in academic achievement, participation in extracurricular activities, and overall contribution to the student body and campus? (n=3876)

26. LGHS Attributes Ratings of LGHS are overwhelmingly positive.
The level of school spirit
The quality of school buildings and grounds
LGHS overall
The quality and availability of non-academic programs
The overall quality of academics and instruction
(LGHS ONLY)
Q9-Q13: Please rate the following general aspects of Los Gatos High School using a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

27. LGHS Academic Attributes
Ratings of LGHS academics are high, particularly the quality and availability of AP/Honors classes, variety of courses, and quality of library services.
The quality and availability of AP/ Honors classes
The overall variety of courses
The quality of library services
The overall quality of course books, supplies, and learning materials
The overall learning environment
The non-college track course options
Teachers’ ability to keep students interested in course material
(LGHS ONLY)
Q22-Q28: Please rate the following general aspects of Los Gatos High School using a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

28. LGHS Learning Tools
Most LGHS students, parents, teachers and staff agree that Tutorial is essential in helping students learn, connect and communicate with their teachers.
Tutorial is essential in helping me/my child/my students learn and keep up with my/their coursework.
Tutorial is essential in helping me/my child/my students connect and communicate with my/their teachers.
Computers and technology are utilized effectively to enhance my/my child's/my students' learning.
(LGHS ONLY)
Q35-37: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following
statements.

29. LGHS School Job Ratings
LGHS students, parents, teachers and staff give very strong ratings of the school’s job recognizing performance and accomplishments and honoring the diversity of the student body.
The job the school has done honoring the diversity and differences of the student body
The recognition students receive for school performance and accomplishments
The job the school has done fostering a love for learning among students
The job the school has done fostering a sense of global responsibility among students
(LGHS ONLY)
Q45-Q46, Q49-Q50: Please rate the following aspects of campus life and student support services at Los Gatos High School/ Saratoga High School/ the NOVA program/ Middle College using a scale of 1 to 7,where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

30. LGHS Administration and Student Support Systems
LGHS student support services are rated positively.
The effectiveness of the school principal and assistant principals
The effectiveness of the main office staff
The effectiveness of the counseling office staff in informing students about courses needed for post-graduate plans
The effectiveness of the guidance counselors in helping you make decisions relating to current and future courses
The effectiveness of the guidance counselors in addressing academic or personal problems
(LGHS ONLY)
Q40-Q44: Please rate the following aspects of campus life and student support services at Los Gatos High School using a scale of 1 to 7,where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

31. LGHS Administration and Student Support Systems
LGHS respondents indicate that generally, the administration responds appropriately to complaints regarding harassment and personal safety, and staff and teachers apply school discipline fairly, but there is some room for improvement.
The administration responds appropriately to student complaints regarding harassment and personal safety
Staff and teachers communicate and apply school discipline fairly
The manner in which the administration handles student harassment by other students
(LGHS ONLY)
Q58, Q60: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.
Q48: Please rate the following aspects of campus life and student support services at LGHS/SHS using a scale of 1 to 7,where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

32. LGHS Teachers/Teaching
The majority of LGHS respondents agree that their teachers provide adequate support, return assignments in a timely manner, give helpful and actionable feedback, and give opportunities to learn from mistakes.
Teachers provide me/students with adequate help and support
I am/my students are given opportunities to learn from mistakes & excel in my classes once learning expectations are mastered.
I/my students receive helpful and actionable feedback needed to excel or improve performance.
My/my students’ homework, tests, &assignments are returned and graded in a timely manner.
The manner in which teachers handle concerns/ questions
Your teacher’s/teachers’ ability to keep students interested in course material
(LGHS ONLY)
Q29-Q32, Q38: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.
Q27, Q47: Please rate the following aspects of campus life and student support services at LGHS using a scale of 1 to 7,where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

33. LGHS Student Safety and Harassment
Although nearly two-thirds agree that students feel safe on campus and are generally treated with respect, over a third agree that intolerance and harassment are big problems amongst students.
I/My child/My students feel safe on the school campus.
I feel like I am generally treated with respect by other students./Students generally treat each other with respect.
The administration responds appropriately to student complaints regarding harassment and personal safety.
Intolerance and harassment are big problems amongst the students.
(LGHS ONLY)
Q53-Q54, Q58-Q59: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.

34. LGHS Stress, Competition, & Emotional Health
Forty percent of LGHS respondents disagree that students’ stress levels are appropriate, and a majority agree that there is a high level of academic competition amongst students.
There is a very high level of academic competition amongst the students.
Course content is an appropriate difficulty level for me/my child/my students.
I/my child/my students sometimes need/s additional support to keep up with the coursework.
My/my child’s/my students’ stress level is appropriate.
(LGHS ONLY)
Q33-Q34, Q51, Q56: Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.

35. LGHS Teacher/ Staff Attributes
LGHS teachers and staff appear to be extremely satisfied with their work.
(LGHS TEACHERS/STAFF ONLY )
Q69-Q77: Please rate the following aspects your working environment at Los Gatos High School/ Saratoga High School/ the NOVA program/ Middle College using a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 means very poor and 7 means excellent.

36. Contacts Ruth Bernstein Ruth@EMCResearch.com 510-550-8922
Jessica Polsky
Kate Worth