End-of-Year Satisfaction Survey

Union Christian Academy

June 2011

1. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being “very satisfied”), how satisfied are you with the quality of instruction your child is receiving at Union?

83% of those surveyed with children in grades K3-4 chose 4 or 5.

70% of those surveyed with children in grades 5-8 chose 4 or 5.

56% of those surveyed with children in grades 9-12 chose 4 or 5.

Comments include the following:

I honestly think the quality of the teachers we have at Union is second to none. I have never had any reason to complain, and in fact, I want to say that the teachers we have had go above and beyond in every way. We have had children at Union since the year it opened, our oldest was in sixth grade this year. The teachers at Union are, in our opinion, its very best asset.

Junior high has been great. 3rd has been a struggle with a certain teacher. My child is even more frustrated with school after this year.

Often times the instruction seems geared to bring the students to equilibrium and perhaps teaching to the average student. While we work towards bringing students "up" we also need to be challenging and encouraging ALL the students.

There were some classes that scored 5's & a few with 1's. We are highly satisfied with several of the classes. Thank you to those teachers that invest so much into our kids. The high school math- calc- was most disappointing for 2 years straight.

We felt that both of our kids’ teachers did a good job presenting and teaching the information.

I was disappointed in Alg II this year. Although I understand there were teacher issues and that things like that will happen.

She is doing so well and the family is so impressed with the school that they can't imagine her being in any other school.

I have been extremely pleased with several of my daughter's teachers, and extremely disappointed with a few as well. While I know that most of the teachers at Union love the kids with all their heart; it's time for them to step up and challenge these kids to do their best...to encourage them to give 110% in all they do. This is where my disappointment comes in. Some teachers encourage a 'just get by' attitude. This is not preparing our children for college and life.

I think the elementary education is very good. The middle school is good also but would like it to be more challenging. I think the school should add foreign language in the elementary curriculum and up.

For two years math instruction has been lacking.

Very disappointed in high school math.

There are some classes which are being presented as read the book, take a test, read the book, take a test, read the book, take a test. This needs to change. UCA can differentiate itself by providing more depth in its subjects.

This past year, our students were not properly prepared for 7th grade language. Many frustrations over teacher selection.

My oldest in 7th grade receives poor instruction and investment from her teachers. Very dissatisfied. My youngest in 4th receives adequate.

Edline grades are not kept up to date. So by the time you see a problem it is too late to address it.

I think the library and the AR testing is very disorganized.

Both of my kids had a great year. I was disappointed in the math classes for Algebra 2.

Algebra three was a bit of a problem this year and I do not feel much was accomplished. English 4 is really a whole lot of busy work and not much initiative.

We were very disappointed in the K-3 program. We feel that at some point it is better to look at who is best for a job rather than who has the most tenure. Your K-3 program is the first look at what your school is about. It is truly important to put a good person there who will help your parents want to continue a Union Education.

Children who are excelling in class are not given the opportunity to excel further by GATE or other programs.Teachers need to teach instead of being on their phones all the time or eating during class. Kitchenettes in the class room need to go that's what teachers lounges are for.

Most of the core classes are not very challenging. At least three families we know well have left for that reason.

Students are spoon fed the material and are handed the answers to the tests. Instruction lacks the application component of education. Students must be able to apply what they are learning.

This is my first year with Union and I have loved it. The teachers and administration are first class. I have recommended Union to all of my friends and will be returning.

I feel there is definitely a difference in the teaching skills with some of the teachers that are just there collecting a paycheck than those who are there for the right reasons. You find out a lot about the teachers by the stories you hear from your children, as to who actually makes an impact, and others who are negative.

Your High School English and Bible departments can't be beat. Math and Science are another issue.

Felt like 5th science was very weak without much leadership. Did not challenge my child to his advantage. Seemed like there was just busy work not actual hands on activities.

All of the teachers my children have had are wonderful!

2. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being “very challenging”), how academically challenging has your child’s experience been this year?

65% of those surveyed with children in grades K3-4 chose 4 or 5.

62% of those surveyed with children in grades 5-8 chose 4 or 5.

50% of those surveyed with children in grades 9-12 chose 4 or 5.

Comments include the following:

I do think the curriculum could be a bit more challenging for certain kids.

From what I can tell my children are good students, finish their work quickly and get bored. May need enhanced studies and hands on experiences to keep them engaged. It was be nice to have something like the "GATE" program available to the Union students.

We would like to see more focus on writing skills in all grades (not handwriting). We think handwriting is important, but would like to see more stories being written even at the younger ages. We would like to see creative writing.

The curriculum for the elementary is right on track for most students, however my child is very bright and I feel that he is being held back from his potential. While I understand that teachers cannot cater to one or two children, it is very frustrating to watch my child being held back by the constraints of a classroom. I wish there was a way that he could be allowed to do more advanced work.Secondary- It is average with what you would find in a public school.

When we visit with our friends both in home schooling and public schools in other states, our youth are not challenged, not so much in material, but in requirements to produce "Quality thought provoked work”.

Would like to see more of a challenge for my daughter, such as more of variety of AP classes.

I feel that the K-3 teacher is more concerned how old the children are and worried about how many boys she has than she cared about teaching. EVERY time I came by for a visit she was sitting at her desk or at a table. Never once was she up teaching. I also have a personal friend who was in the room one day and told me that my child was having trouble with something and five times she got on to my child for not doing it right but never once did she show him how to do it.

Sometimes very challenging for right and wrong reasons. We have seen some class instruction challenge our children and motivate them to learn more, while others lacked detailed or comprehensive instruction and left them hanging on to their own devices for any understanding.

I would like to see my child be more challenged. In my opinion too much busy work was given. Work that I believe was just something to have them do.

High School Science is lacking and High School Math is even worse. I had a child graduate in this 2011 group. I was appalled to find out that their class never used a microscope or a Bunsen burner, in 4 years of science. On the up side to that I have one who is entering High School that has used both regularly. Hopefully that will continue and we won't have a repeat.

5th grade was okay in everything except Science. We need improvement here. Lacking good communication skills. When I ask how my son could improve his grade the first nine weeks I was told he wasn't sure because he really had not read their book yet. Feel like they are just given busy work.

3. On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being “very satisfied”), how satisfied are you with the variety and quality of the extracurricular activities your child participated in this year?

74% of those surveyed with children in grades K3-4 chose 4 or 5.

68% of those surveyed with children in grades 5-8 chose 4 or 5.

72% of those surveyed with children in grades 9-12 chose 4 or 5.

Comments include the following:

I would love to see a gifted and talented program in the elementary grades.

I am satisfied with it now, but I am concerned with the coaching for the higher grade levels. It seems the younger grades excel in sports, but once they reach varsity level other than cheerleading our teams do not excel. Our coaching staff needs some help.

From FBLA to NHS; Football, Track, Basketball, Tennis & Wrestling, we have some great activities, coaches, & sponsors. Thank you.

Union has done a wonderful job covering just about every area of extracurricular activities. Some are definitely more organized than others. With the amount of student participation, we feel that coaches have done a great job. It is also refreshing at games to see a calm, patient, encouraging coach. Union definitely stands out in this area!

Variety is Great. The coaching staff needs improvement.

We all have our individual passion for activities, yet I believe UCA is driven by Rich Kid parents who buy activities that in other environments their youth would not be qualified to compete in. We are trying to be all things to all people as opposed to striving to be great in a few things. If these kids want other activities outside of school, so be it. But a HS student body of 250 cannot support 9 different extra-curricular events with 'Excellence".

We have coaches who are not well versed in the sport they are coaching.

Keep up the great band program.

I am much more concerned with academics than sports. Our school seems to be overly concerned with sports. My kids can get sports activities anywhere. We want Christ centered academic excellence.

I feel that as they get into high school there are actually too many extra curricular activities that I feel may be driving the tuition up for all of us.

We are very satisfied with the band program, and with football. However, other programs, mainly cheerleading, has proven to be just like the public school systems. It basically is about who you are in the school.

Union does a great job in engaging our children to expand their horizons in school.

End-of-Year Satisfaction Survey

June 2011