Taft 7–12 Family Survey: Thank You for Sharing Your Voice!
Thank you to the 92 families who participated in our recent Taft 7–12 Family Survey! Your feedback helps us better understand what is working well at Taft, where we can improve, and what information our students and families would like to receive throughout the school year.
One encouraging result was the level of excitement families expressed about the school year. 41.3% of respondents indicated they were “very excited,” with another 28.3% reporting they were somewhat excited. We appreciate the positive start to the year and want to continue building a school community where students and families feel welcomed, connected, and supported. CLICK HERE for Slides
What We Learned About Attendance
We also asked families about barriers that can make regular attendance more difficult. While 40% reported no barriers, families identified transportation/bus issues (22%), alarms or waking up on time (18%), and parents' work schedules (12%) as challenges.
Attendance is an important part of student success, and we want families to know that we are here to help. If your family is experiencing a barrier that is affecting your student's ability to attend school regularly or arrive on time, please contact us so we can work together to find solutions.
Communication: Text Messages Are #1
Families also gave us a clear message about communication. 60.9% of respondents identified text messages as the most effective way for Taft to communicate with them, followed by phone calls at 22.8% and email at 14.1%.
We encourage families to download the LCSD App to receive school text messages and important updates. Families can also always call or email the school when they need assistance.
What Families Appreciate About Taft
We were especially grateful to read what families appreciate about our school. Three themes stood out: our staff and teachers, our academic opportunities, and our school environment.
Families highlighted caring, kind, responsive teachers, staff, and coaches who are dedicated to students. They also valued the variety of advanced, AP, and college courses available to students, along with specialized programs and opportunities. Families additionally noted Taft's small-school feel, cleanliness, separation between middle and high school students, and its role as a community hub.
At the same time, our overall school environment results showed an opportunity for continued growth, with 71.7% of respondents providing a positive rating of 3 or 4 on the four-point scale. We will continue working to improve the experience of every student and family at Taft.
You Asked — We Will Follow Up
One of the most important parts of the survey was learning what families want to know more about. Five topics rose to the top:
Graduation Requirements
— credits, required courses, and diploma options
Taft Clubs
— extracurricular activities, schedules, and how to join
Social-Emotional Support
— teen resources, counseling, and wellness programs
College & Dual Credit
— opportunities to earn college credit while in high school
Athletics
— teams, eligibility requirements, and tryout information
Stay tuned! Over the coming weeks, we will share additional information about each of these areas. Our goal is not simply to collect family feedback, but to use it to improve communication and the overall experience for students and families.
Get Involved with Site Council
Families who would like to become more involved are also invited to attend Taft 7–12 Site Council meetings, held on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:00 PM. Site Council provides an opportunity for families and community members to participate in school governance and discuss upcoming initiatives.
Thank you again to everyone who completed the survey. Your voice matters, and your feedback will help us continue making Taft 7–12 a stronger school for all of our students.