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Suffolk Public School’s climate survey results from last June offer an inside look into how parents, students, and staff perceive various aspects of their schools. For all groups, feelings of safety and security protocols have increased since 2022. Parents’ responses are the most positive, with students’ being the least.  

The SPS climate and culture survey is presented to all SPS employees, parents, and SPS students in grades 5, 6, 8, 9, and 12.

Its purpose is to “allow division stakeholders with an opportunity to express their opinions about the school division and provide feedback related to the learning environment in each school,” said Coordinator of Data and Research Shawn Dickerson during the origins presentation of survey results.

Last year, there were 1,708 staff responses, 3,499 student responses, and 2,264 parent responses. The student and parent responses slightly decreased from 2023, while the staff responses slightly increased.

Parent climate survey results

Parents expressed the most positive feelings, with there being a majority of an 81% or higher agreement with survey statements.

Over half of the statements had a more than 1% or 2% change in agreement since 2022 while the rest remained consistent.

Parents felt students were being offered more academic support or enrichment when needed compared to previous years. In 2024, agreement with this statement was 84%, compared to 79% the previous two years.

Feelings about properly handling discipline in accordance with the student handbook increased from 78% in 2023 to 81% in 2024. Parents also felt discipline is more often handled in a timely manner, increasing from 80% to 83%.

83% of parents agreed that the school helps their child feel safe, an increase from 78% in 2023. 87% agree the school provides a safe and orderly learning environment, up from 83%, and 91% agree there are procedures and protocols to ensure student safety, up from 88%.

Positive feelings about the cafeteria have steadily increased, from 64% to 69% and now to 73%.

School bus satisfaction has remained consistent for the second year at 66%.

For the second year, 86% of respondents agree the school makes families feel welcome.

Student climate survey results

Students have the overall lowest agreement rates with survey statements. 

Out of 44 statements, 20 increased, 12 decreased, and 12 remained the same compared to 2023. 

Respect is an area students don’t feel positive about. Only 37% of respondents felt students treat each other with respect, and 46% feel students treat teachers with respect. Both of these numbers have consistently decreased since 2022. On the other hand, 76% of respondents agree teachers treat students with respect.

Feelings about enjoying school and belonging at school are also fairly negative and have decreased since 2022. 64% of students said they felt they belonged at their school and 48% said they enjoy going to school.

Students did report increased feelings of safety with 63% saying they feel safe at school, up from 60% in 2023, and 86% of respondents agreeing their school has procedures to ensure student safety, up from 84% in 2023. 

Feelings about the maintenance and cleanliness of the school have been declining since 2022. 47% of respondents agree the school is kept clean, 59% agree the school is well-maintained and kept in good repair, and 78% agree the school facilities support learning. However, 55% agree their school is attractive, which increased from 53%. 

The statements with the highest level of agreement are about expected behavior. 

95% of students agree they know what behavior is expected from them, and 92% agree they know the consequences for misbehaving. Both of these have remained consistent since 2022. 

Staff climate survey results

Out of 43 staff questions, 15 of them had more than a 2% change. Only two of those questions had an increase in respondent agreement from 2023 to 2024.

Both increases were related to safety. Agreement about safety protocols and procedures for staff safety increased from 79% to 85%, and agreement about being a safe and orderly school increased from 69% to 73%.

The lowest agreement was about staff morale, with 48% of respondents agreeing morale is high at their school. This is a 1% increase from 2023.

The statement with the highest level of agreement was that staff members are held accountable for student learning. In 2024, it was at 88%, down from 93% in 2023 and 2022. 

The agreement about school spirit and pride dropped from 82% to 76%.

77% of respondents agree their school or work site helps new hires learn and adjust to their jobs, down from 80% in 2023. 

69% agree concerns are resolved in a timely manner, 80% feel the supervisor holds staff accountable for their actions,84% feel the supervisor provides good feedback, and 85% feel the supervisor encourages development and helps improve skills. These have all decreased by at least 3% since 2023. 

Overall, students have the most negative feedback while parents have the most positive. Staff responses are overall positive but are seeing declines in a lot of areas. 

Overall feelings about school safety have increased across the board.