How well does D86 prepare students for their journeys into higher education? The ECRA Group was hired by the Board of Education to survey our past graduates to find out. The survey of District graduates is best explained by the ECRA group directly from their report:
Hinsdale District 86 partnered with ECRA Group, Inc., a leader in educational research, to garner perceptions of graduates’ high school experience and gauge a picture of the paths they took after high school.
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In the winter of the 2009-2010 school year, quantitative and qualitative data were collected through an online survey of graduates from the years 2005 through 2009. The survey instrument was a modified version of the Graduate Survey instrument used in 2008, based on suggestions presented by District 86 administration.
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During the survey process, an attempt was made to reach all graduates from the 2005 through 2009 classes. Results are compared to those gathered in 2008 from the 2002 through 2006 classes. A postcard mailing was sent to all 2005 through 2009 graduates at their last known address, and emails were sent to parents with the request that the survey access be sent on to graduates. ECRA also used the social networking site Facebook as a tool to recruit survey respondents.
The survey results generated responses from 493 former graduates of District 86 (compared to 345 in 2008), with a margin of error of three-percent according to ECRA.
Highlights of the data included 97% of graduates grading the quality of education received in District 86 an “A” or “B”, with 71% rating this an “A”. Regarding their high school preparation enabling them to compete with their collegiate peers, 90% rated their preparation as either “A” or “B”. Where it came to their own preparation for higher education, 94% rated the district as either “A” or “B”, with 64% rating their preparation an “A”. When grading their former teachers, 92% rated district teachers either “A” or “B”, with the majority rated “A”.
Regarding teachers, Principal Mike McGrory shared the following with the faculty ECRA’s report:
Hinsdale Central Graduates gave high praises to their high school. A major theme that emerged from the responses was the appreciation for Hinsdale Central teachers, who were described as amazing, encouraging, caring, passionate about teaching and learning, and always willing to help. Graduates felt well-prepared for a higher education, and the diversity of opportunities afforded students did not go unnoticed by graduates. Graduates gave high compliments to the athletic and music programs. The guidance services offered at Central were also noted as beneficial.
Some even said that they felt over prepared for college, which made adjusting to college coursework more manageable. Some felt that having experienced the rigorous and competitive environment at Central helps them compete with their peers today. They enjoyed the additional opportunities to excel and felt that the relationships they formed with other students, teachers and coaches were highly valuable. They also mentioned numerous teachers, coaches and administrators by name and praised the efforts these educators put in every day to help students reach their full potential.
Many students expressed that they did not realize the full benefit they reaped from attending Central until after they left. To quote one student, “When I got to school, I was shocked at how well Central had prepared me for college-level schooling.” Others noted that they felt a sense of the importance and closeness of community during their high school years, and this community support helped motivate them to succeed.
