By: Anna Rita Pergolizzi-Wentworth
School choice has become increasingly competitive. With so many schools to choose from, traditional factors such as location, course offerings, and extracurricular activities no longer set a school apart. Parents now look for standout qualities—schools with a strong reputation built on glowing word-of-mouth reviews, exceptional educators, prestigious awards and recognitions, and a proven history of student success. However, not all schools can deliver these requests or have the shiny trophies to show for it yet. So how can schools stand out? The key is transparency.
As both a school leader and a parent, I’ve come to appreciate the critical role transparency plays in setting our school apart. As a parent, I expect more than empty promises–I need clear, accurate and easily accessible information that addresses my concerns and priorities as someone deeply invested in my children’s education. As a school leader, I’ve seen firsthand how fostering an open line of communication between the leadership team and parents builds a foundation of trust, giving families confidence in the quality of their child’s educational experience.
By authentically sharing what happens behind the scenes–whether it’s the introduction of a new curricular program, celebrating positive student outcomes, highlighting community engagement opportunities, or explaining something unexpected and unintended – schools can forge meaningful connections with families. At Pine Street School, we take pride in the work we do and ensure it is both seen and celebrated. We are also open to listening, learning, and improving upon our communication practices – especially if it means greater partnership between home and school.
When looking for a school, we wanted to find a school that would inspire and teach a love of learning to our kids, we really found that at Pine Street
Anonymous Parent
Encouraging Transparency Through Intentional Actions
We kick off each week by inviting parents to join our “Monday Morning Meetups,” a town-hall-style gathering where parents can ask questions and connect with our team. While some weeks feature special guests from our faculty or staff, these meetings are primarily focused on addressing parents’ questions and fostering an open and supportive dialogue.
For those looking to take a more active role in their child’s learning journey, we offer educational workshops designed to give parents insight into what their children are learning. These sessions introduce the teaching strategies we use, empowering parents to reinforce the material at home. This year, we’ve also introduced Fall and Spring classroom observations, where parents can experience a typical school day. It’s a unique opportunity to see our educational philosophy–rooted in fostering multicultural education that inspires mindful action and inquiry –in action and how it’s integrated into the curriculum.
We’ve found that our parental engagement is most effective when in-person activities are complemented by regular online updates, recognizing that many of our parents work during the school day. To keep families informed, we send weekly communications from both classroom and administration covering a range of updates—from day-to-day activities to broader school news—via email and in quarterly newsletters. Additionally, we use a photo-sharing platform called Toddle, where teachers upload videos and pictures, offering parents practical “talking tools” to use at home when discussing their child’s learning and progress.
We love the school because we believe that it encourages a framework for learning how to learn, which is important for us and our family. They are able to foster that creativity, encourage confidence and we believe you need confidence in a world that changes as fast as ours does.
Anonymous Parent
These initiatives stem from our commitment to meaningful parent involvement and feedback. We are constantly exploring how we deliver information and gather feedback from families, using tools like Panorama and Google Surveys to ensure families have a constant voice in the information we provide, and how they respond to it. Like I said earlier, empty promises have no place here—when we receive constructive feedback, we take action.
For example, last summer’s surveys revealed a strong desire for a Parent Teacher Association (PTA). In response, we established one, and it has been very successful, with nearly 30-35 families attending regular meetings and actively participating in subcommittees. Parents also expressed interest in more opportunities to engage with me as Head of School, leading to the return of the aforementioned “Monday Morning Meetups.” The initiative, which had been temporarily paused due to COVID disruptions, was revived in response to renewed parent interest, demonstrating the desire to rebuild connections within our school community.
The Impact on Student Outcomes
When schools prioritize clear, ongoing communication with parents, the positive effects on students are undeniable. Parents are more inclined to become active partners in their child’s educational journey, providing another outlet of support outside the classroom. When students feel this support, they are more likely to become active participants in their learning journey, they absorb material faster and retain information longer, ultimately, enhancing academic outcomes. This philosophy drives our commitment to evolve our teaching and communication methods to better serve our students and families.
An example of this at Pine Street School is how we’ve reimagined traditional parent-teacher conferences to reflect our commitment to student agency– the belief that learners should have a voice in their own learning and reflect on their growth.
By integrating student-led conferences and family learning experiences, we ensure that our educational approach remains both relevant and impactful. Rather than a one-sided discussion between teachers and parents, our end of year conferences invite students to take an active role. Students share, in their own words, what they’ve learned, providing a unique perspective on their progress. This approach not only builds students’ confidence and critical thinking skills but also offers valuable insights for teachers and parents alike. These insights help us identify resources and opportunities that align with each student’s interests and aspirations, ensuring we continue to provide the highest-quality educational experience.
None of this would be possible without a foundation of trust between home and school. Clear and open communication between our school and families has strengthened our partnership, ensuring everyone is aligned in supporting our students’ success. By partnering with families, we foster a shared vision for success, grounded in global citizenship.
Anna Rita Pergolizzi-Wentworth is the regional managing director of Green Ivy International Schools and the interim head of school at Pine Street School.
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Transparency builds trust in education, enhancing school-parent partnerships and improving student outcomes at Pine Street School.
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