What’s Your Value? What Makes Parents Choose Your School?

Hi, Educational Leaders! As we welcome the month of April, a time of renewal and growth, we also enter a season of important decision-making for families exploring school options. With the spring semester coming to an end and enrollment in full swing, now is the perfect moment to reflect on what makes your school the best choice for students and parents alike.

In an era where parents have more options than ever when it comes to their children’s education, schools must ask themselves a critical question: What makes us stand out? The reality is that school choice is no longer limited to geography. Families now weigh numerous factors, from academic excellence and extracurricular opportunities to culture, safety, and alignment with their values. As school leaders, it is essential to articulate clearly what makes your institution not just a good choice but the best choice.

What Do We Know About School Choice?

At its core, school choice gives parents the power to select the best learning environment for their child, whether it be a traditional public school, charter school, private institution, magnet program, or even online learning. This shift acknowledges that no single school model fits every child and that families deserve options that align with their values, educational goals, and individual needs. The availability of diverse schooling options has grown significantly over the past two decades.

Charter schools offer innovative approaches with greater autonomy, private schools provide specialized curriculums often based on religious or philosophical principles, and magnet schools emphasize specialized programs such as STEM, the arts, or international studies. Online learning has also expanded, giving families flexibility in education delivery. As more families explore these alternatives, traditional public schools must adapt by clearly defining and communicating their unique value.

One crucial factor often overlooked is the financial impact of school choice on public schools. Enrollment numbers directly affect funding, as many public schools receive funding based on student attendance. The more students a school enrolls, the more resources it secures to invest in academic programs, faculty development, infrastructure, and student support services. Retaining and attracting families is essential for sustaining and growing the school's ability to provide high-quality education.

What Is Your School’s Potential Core Value And How Do You Develop It?

To compete in today’s evolving educational landscape, schools must start by identifying the core value they want to be best known for known as the value proposition. While it may be tempting to be recognized for many things, the most successful schools build their reputation around a distinctive, well-defined strength. Is your school known for academic excellence, innovative learning models, strong character development, or exceptional community engagement? Starting with one clear value allows your school to build a strong foundation before expanding its identity. Once this core strength is established, it can anchor broader initiatives that continue to enhance your school’s appeal.

Let’s look at the values mentioned above. What are some areas that need to be considered when defining these values?

1. Academic Excellence: Parents want assurance that their children receive a high-quality education. This includes strong test scores, an innovative curriculum, highly qualified teachers, and a track record of student success.

   
   

2. Innovative Learning Models: The best schools recognize that traditional teaching methods are evolving. Parents are drawn to schools that offer cutting-edge educational approaches such as project-based learning, STEM integration, and technology-driven instruction.

   
   

3. Strong Character Development: Beyond academics, parents seek schools that cultivate integrity, resilience, and leadership in their children. Programs emphasizing social-emotional learning, mentorship, ethical decision-making, and community service help students develop into responsible and empathetic citizens who can navigate challenges and make meaningful contributions to society.

   
   

4. Exceptional Community Engagement: Schools that foster strong relationships with families and local organizations create a supportive environment where students thrive. Parents value schools that actively engage with the community through service-learning initiatives, partnerships with businesses and higher education institutions, and opportunities for family involvement.

Where Does Educentric Stand in This?

Educentric has a proven track record of helping school districts define and achieve their value proposition. With a team of educational experts, Educentric provides the framework and strategic guidance to turn aspirations into measurable success. One such example is Young Women's College Preparatory Academy (YWCPA), a Title I school in a large urban district.

YWCPA set a bold Value Proposition (VP): to be the school of choice for female students who aspire to attend and graduate from a Tier I/Ivy League college or university. Initially, the school faced challenges, with only 21% of graduating seniors being accepted into Tier I/Ivy League institutions. However, through the implementation of Educentric’s North Star Metric framework, YWCPA saw remarkable improvement. In the first year of implementation, acceptance rates increased from 21% to 41%, and within three years, the school achieved an outstanding 100% acceptance rate to Tier I/Ivy League universities.

Today, YWCPA has solidified its reputation as the premier choice for female students seeking top-tier higher education opportunities.

Schools that actively define and communicate their unique value proposition stand a great chance of attracting and retaining families. Even more significant are schools that understand and acknowledge the need for guidance from experts. Seeking support and strategic direction is not a weakness but a sign of strong leadership and commitment to continuous improvement.

Parents are making intentional choices about their children’s future, and your school must rise above the noise to answer the fundamental question: Why should they choose you?

Partner with us now to craft a compelling Value Proposition that will set your schools apart and, of course, achieve it!

Copyright © 2024 Educentric, Inc. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

3200 N Ocean Blvd Unit 408

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308