One of the most funded philanthropic causes at the New Bremen Foundation is the New Bremen Local Schools. Our donors care about the future of our education system and the future of the young people who grow up here. After some conversations with donors, the New Bremen Foundation decided to get together with community leaders, school administration, and NBHS alumni to discuss the role philanthropy can play in education. From there P4S (Prep for Success) was established. The group decided to reach out to New Bremen alumni for feedback on their high school experience and their subsequent successes after high school. Click to view the P4S: Alumni Feedback Report.

Executive Summary

The purpose of the Prep for Success (P4S) survey was to collect and analyze feedback from New Bremen High School alumni in order to better develop our school and community to fit the needs of New Bremen students. An 18-question survey was distributed electronically to 72 of 77 New Bremen alumni, class of 2008. The survey contained questions relating to the demographics/background of the survey-taker, as well as each individuals successes and struggles concerning academics and guidance since high school.

We received 34 out of 72 responses (47.2%). Upon answering each question, the survey-takers were asked to expand upon their answer in an open-ended comment. Many respondents took advantage of that space to provide detailed information about their high school experience in relation to their success after high school. Although the sample of students surveyed was small, we were able to identify trends from the data and feedback collected. Respondents identified STEM subjects as the areas they were most unprepared for. Overall there was a lack of STEM careers among the alumni surveyed, in particular, no female students pursued an engineering career. Respondents also identified a need for better guidance and career counseling, suggesting more exposure to different career paths and options as well as a more individualized approach to college and career planning. Lastly students identified a need to be exposed to diversity.

New Bremen High School and the New Bremen community have already begun taking steps to address the concerns this survey identifies. We hope to continue the work of P4S, gathering feedback from alumni and graduating students and share that information with the school and larger community. We hope to develop a more efficient curriculum at the school as well as programs in the community that will address the ever-changing needs of our upcoming students.

P4S Survey Report

This report is based on the feedback received from the participants in the P4S Survey. It identifies the most relevant and common themes among the alumni responses.

P4S Report

Posted by nbf on Monday, September 15th, 2014 @ 3:34PM
Categories: Community Impact, Education, New Bremen High School
Tags: Alumni, Education, High School