|
We do a lot of surveys of different stakeholders at Cristo Rey Jesuit, but the one I look forward to reading the most is the exit survey administered to all our seniors right before they graduate. I know seniors have opinions and that by the end of their senior year, many feel very comfortable sharing them! What I really appreciate about this is that they are sincere and truthful and give us a good barometer of where we are strong and still can grow with respect to the student experience.
When we receive the results of our senior exit survey, we can see how we compare to the other 40 schools in the Cristo Rey Network. The survey measures student perceptions of school culture and belonging, our academic and Corporate Work Study Program experiences, and our college counseling and campus ministry experiences. I was pleased to see that our seniors rated us as highly or higher than the Cristo Rey Network average on 13 of the 15 questions asked in these categories.
Our Corporate Work Study Program experience was cited as a large component of professional formation for our seniors. Three quarters of our seniors chose their intended college major because of their experience in the Corporate Work Study Program. The influence of this experience surpassed personal interest or the influence of family and friends as reasons for choosing a major.
Seniors wrote about learning many lessons at CRJ as well. Managing the increased demands and expectations of school work, turning work in on time, handling more rigorous coursework, learning it’s okay to ask questions, the overall importance of communication, and utilizing all available resources to address a challenge were all mentioned. They noted the importance of trying new things and taking risks, appreciating the special, little moments during a day, overcoming failure, and learning how to work and communicate in their jobs.
Seniors commented on the deep connections they formed with one another through participation in many of our extra-curricular activities like theatre and cheer team. As a leader of a Catholic and Jesuit high school, I was heartened to learn that BY FAR their most cherished memories were from their Kairos retreat experiences. As a result of this retreat many students commented that they felt closer in their relationship with God and strengthened bonds with one another.
Lastly, they noted the importance of those around them helping them through their high school journeys. One student wrote, “I think that the people I hung out with taught me the type of person I want to be.” Another senior shared, “I have learned to love above all…I am truly grateful for meeting the people I have met, because they were the people I needed to meet to become who I am today. The sole thing I hope for in my life is to continue to live for God. Knowing His goodness in my life, I will walk the humble and passionate life God has for me.”
We work hard to understand our student experience by listening to our students, challenging our students, and supporting our students to, ultimately, help them grow into the young men and women God created them to be. We know we’ll continue to grow as an organization to more effectively meet the imperative of our mission. With these senior exit survey results, however, I know we are on the right path!
| 
