In June 2012, a survey was distributed to all Granada parents to solicit their feedback about the school. One hundred twenty-one (121) responses were collected; the majority of which (83%) were parents of students in grades K-4. Participating parents had students enrolled at GIS for 1 year (13%), 2-3 years (33%), 4-5 years (32%), 6-7 years (11%) and more than 7 years (12%).

Communication

School Communication

Majority of parents agree that

• I feel informed about school events (96%)
• I feel informed about school news (96%)
• Communication from school is professional (93%)
• I feel informed about my child’s academic progress (89%)
• I feel informed about extra-curricular activities (89%)
• Communication from school is frequent (86%)
• Communication from school is adequate (85%)
• I feel informed about my child’s social development (69%)

Teacher Communication

66% receive weekly communication, 18% receive monthly and 14% once-a-trimester communication

• 89% email messages
• 65% folders/ class letters
• 53% Teacherweb.com
• 21% room mother
• 19% School weblockers

Program Evaluation

Quran Pilot Program (grades 5 to 8)

Fifty-one (51) parents rated their children’s Quran level. The majority agrees or strongly agrees with noticeable improvement as follows:

• Improvement in reading – 63%
• Deeper understanding – 62%
• Overall considerable difference – 59%
• Improvement in memorization – 56%

New Technology Equipment

Parents rated their children in terms of technology. The majority agrees or strongly agrees that:

• Child was more interested (84%)
• Child was more aware (82%)
• Technology skills improved (76%)

Parents indicated that their children use technology at home as follows:

• Playing games (88%)
• New learning (82%)
• Reinforcement (58%)
• Doing homework and submitting online (55%)
• Getting help from classmates and teachers (38%)

Social Skills

Seventy-six (76%) of parents indicated the school should have a high priority on the teaching of social skills.

Parents indicated that the school promotes student learning and practice of the following social skills to some (or great) extent:

• Showing respect for themselves (85%)
• Showing respect for others (82%)
• Working successfully in groups as participants (76%)
• Showing appreciation for differences (69%)
• Effective listening (66%)
• Working successfully in groups as leaders (61%)
• Verbal communication skills (59%)

Co-Curricular Activities

Parents value all events offered to students and agree that they are very beneficial to the student learning:

• Hajj program (81%), Science Fair (69%), Eid Celebration (67%)
• Quran Competition (58%), English Spelling bee (56%), Sports Day (56%), Reading Day (56%)
• Arabic Spelling Bee (51%) Math Festival (48%), Heritage Day (47%), Living history Day (47%),
• Book Fair (42%), Art Fair (31%)