Six Areas to Measure When Conducting an Annual New Parent Survey

As private school leaders in admissions, marketing, and executive roles, understanding the perceptions and experiences of new parents is crucial for continued growth and success. Conducting an annual new parent survey can provide invaluable insights that help refine your enrollment and marketing strategies.

Incorporating this survey into your yearly plans is beneficial and essential. The following are six areas to measure in your new parent survey:

1—Evaluate Your Admissions Process

The admissions process is the first touchpoint parents have with your school. By surveying new parents, you can gather feedback on their experiences and identify areas for improvement. Did they find the application process straightforward? Were they adequately informed about important deadlines? Understanding these aspects can help streamline the admissions journey, making it more efficient and parent-friendly.

2—Assess Your Marketing Strategies

Marketing is the driving force behind attracting potential families to your school. A new parent survey can help you assess which strategies are most effective. You can pinpoint the marketing channels that yield the highest returns by asking parents how they first heard about your school and what influenced their decision. This allows you to allocate your budget more effectively and focus on strategies that work.

3—Understand Why New Families Selected Your School

Every family has its unique reasons for choosing your school. Maybe it’s the curriculum, extracurricular programs, or the school’s values. A survey can capture these motivations, clearly showing what sets your school apart from the competition. With this knowledge, you can highlight these strengths in future marketing efforts.

4—Identify Your Competition

A new parent survey can also reveal insights about your competitors. You can gain a competitive edge by asking parents if they considered other schools and what ultimately led them to choose yours. Understanding your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses can help you refine your strategies and position your school more effectively in the market.

5—Determine How New Families First Discovered Your School

The path to enrollment often begins with how families first discover your school. Did they find you through a web search, social media, word of mouth, or another avenue? Knowing this information can help you focus your efforts on the most effective discovery channels, ensuring that your school is visible to prospective families when they start their search.

6—Evaluate the Onboarding Process and the Start of School

The onboarding process sets the tone for a family’s experience at your school. A survey can help you assess the effectiveness of your welcome events, orientation sessions, and the overall start of school. Are new families feeling supported and integrated into the school community? Identifying strengths and weaknesses in the onboarding process can help you make necessary adjustments to enhance the experience for future families.

Final Thoughts

Conducting an annual new parent survey is not just about gathering data; it’s about understanding and improving the experiences of the new families you serve. At Enrollment Catalyst, we specialize in conducting these surveys for schools, providing you with actionable insights that can drive your school’s growth.

Incorporating feedback from new parents can lead to improved satisfaction, better retention rates, and a stronger school community. By taking the time to understand your new families, you’re setting the stage for ongoing success and building a foundation of trust and satisfaction.

If you’d like to learn more about how Enrollment Catalyst can help conduct your new parent survey, please read about our School Survey Solutions or contact me directly at Rick.Newberry@EnrollmentCatalyst.com. Let’s work together to ensure your school’s continued growth and success.

Remember, the more you know about your new families, the better equipped you’ll be to meet their needs and exceed their expectations. Conducting an annual new parent survey should be an integral part of your school’s strategy each year.