Drowning in Data?

You are the new principal at Loyola High School, a large diocesan high school located in a suburban area in California.  Loyola is one of two high schools in the Diocese that serves a culturally, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse community.  Enrollment increased steadily for over a decade but has since leveled off and remained at approximately 1000 students for the past three years.  

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Loyola High School opened in the 1970s.  The school currently enrolls approximately 1000 students (young women and men) in grades 9–12, and enrollment is moderately reflective of the area's diversity.  Historically, student achievement at the school has been strong in most subject areas, and although the school's graduation rate has declined slightly over the past three years it remains above 92%.  Faculty and staff turnover at Loyola has remained relatively low.  The campus includes the original school buildings, as well as new buildings and portable classrooms.  Loyola recently expanded the number of classrooms, added four new science labs, and upgraded its instructional technology.  The facility and campus are generally well maintained. The school was accredited last in 2012 and is preparing for a full accreditation visit in 2018-2019.

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Loyola's Mission emphasizes commitment to academic excellence for all students.  Student scores on standards-based tests such as PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT, and Advanced Placement (AP) exams are generally near or above local and state averages.  The previous administration established four Small Learning Communities (SLCs) within the school to expand academic opportunities for all students; encourage connections between students and faculty, and across student groups; and promote college and career readiness for all students. Students at Loyola fchoose an SLC by the end of 10th grade and take courses in the SLC of their choice in grades 11 and 12.  In addition, the school's career and technical education offerings were updated by partnering with Project Lead the Way, additional sections of Advanced Placement® (AP®) and Honors courses were opened, and new visual and performing arts electives were added. 

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As you prepare to begin your first year as principal at Loyola High School and lead the school through their latest accreditation visit, you are unsure where to start.

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In addition to the data linked below, here is what you have:

• Student demographic data

• Some school-level achievement data

• Some classroom-level achievement data

• Many years of student/parent handbooks and faculty/staff handbooks

• Perception surveys

  • 100 item annual student survey (3 years of data)​

  • 57 item annual parent survey (3 years of data)​

  • 40 item annual faculty survey (3 years of data)​

  • 35 item annual staff survey (3 years of data)​

  • 32 item annual administration/program director survey (3 years of data)​

  • 24 item annual President's Board/Advisory Council survey (3 years of data)​

  • 50 item alumni survey last given 3 years ago

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• Which data are most relevant? Why?

• How do you know if you have the data you need or if you need to collect additional data?

• How will you know which areas should be a priority for growth for the school?

 

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