USN Survey for the Future

Dear members of the University School of Nashville community,

Thank you for opening this brief post-Centennial survey. For the past year or so, a working group of students, alumni, parents, faculty, and Board members has been busy in a broad inquiry dedicated to the future of the school we hold dear. We've visited more than three dozen campuses of all kinds, from coast to coast, to see American education and its reform initiatives up close-- as you may have read.

What resulted is this set of questions, intentionally combining considerations of our educational model, our financial algorithm, and our capacity to make a difference. We're bringing these prompts to meetings of all kinds, and we're surveying every known member of our school community, from our most veteran Peabody Dem School graduates to our current kindergartners, in one form or another.

After all the sentiments are gathered, we'll spend the summer making sense of what we've heard. Our plans for the next generation here at USN should be and will be informed by those sentiments, taking in everything we've learned through this process, as our Board shoulders its responsibility for setting our direction.

The greater the number of responses, the deeper will be the learning on this end. If you'd like to learn more about about our school visits and the process that brought us to this point, that story can be found here: An Educational Odyssey

Excited to read what you share with us,
Vince

Question Title

* 1. My affiliations with USN/PDS are (choose all that apply):

Current parent/guardian of a USN student

Alumnus of PDS or USN

Faculty/Staff member of the school

Current USN student

Parent/Guardian of alumna or alumnus

None of the above, but friend of the school

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* 2. How would you describe yourself?

GI or Silent Generation (born 1945 and before)

Baby Boomer (born 1946-1964)

Generation X (born 1965 to 1979)

Millennial or Gen Y (born 1980 to 1994)

iGen, Gen Z or Centennial (born 1995-2010)

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* 3. Which best describes your frequency of contact with USN?

On campus daily or almost daily and well aware of school news

On campus every few weeks or so, and generally aware of school news

In attendance for occasional events on campus and not regularly aware of school news

Very rarely to campus, but read the magazine or newsletters a few times annually

Rarely if ever visit or read about the school

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* 4. What should be USN's core academic and educational purpose in coming decades? ***Rate* *your choices in descending order of importance from 5 (most important) to 1 (least important).***

	Least important				Most important
Continued excellence in traditional college-preparatory teaching and coursework	Continued excellence in traditional college-preparatory teaching and coursework Least important	Continued excellence in traditional college-preparatory teaching and coursework	Continued excellence in traditional college-preparatory teaching and coursework	Continued excellence in traditional college-preparatory teaching and coursework	Continued excellence in traditional college-preparatory teaching and coursework Most important
Serving as a best-practice model for peer schools and their educators, consistent with our Demonstration School origins	Serving as a best-practice model for peer schools and their educators, consistent with our Demonstration School origins Least important	Serving as a best-practice model for peer schools and their educators, consistent with our Demonstration School origins	Serving as a best-practice model for peer schools and their educators, consistent with our Demonstration School origins	Serving as a best-practice model for peer schools and their educators, consistent with our Demonstration School origins	Serving as a best-practice model for peer schools and their educators, consistent with our Demonstration School origins Most important
Pioneering and serving as a testing ground for innovative and experimental educational initiatives	Pioneering and serving as a testing ground for innovative and experimental educational initiatives Least important	Pioneering and serving as a testing ground for innovative and experimental educational initiatives	Pioneering and serving as a testing ground for innovative and experimental educational initiatives	Pioneering and serving as a testing ground for innovative and experimental educational initiatives	Pioneering and serving as a testing ground for innovative and experimental educational initiatives Most important
Choosing an overarching educational philosophy and method like Montessori or International Baccalaureate (IB) to implement either school-wide or at each division level	Choosing an overarching educational philosophy and method like Montessori or International Baccalaureate (IB) to implement either school-wide or at each division level Least important	Choosing an overarching educational philosophy and method like Montessori or International Baccalaureate (IB) to implement either school-wide or at each division level	Choosing an overarching educational philosophy and method like Montessori or International Baccalaureate (IB) to implement either school-wide or at each division level	Choosing an overarching educational philosophy and method like Montessori or International Baccalaureate (IB) to implement either school-wide or at each division level	Choosing an overarching educational philosophy and method like Montessori or International Baccalaureate (IB) to implement either school-wide or at each division level Most important
Giving individual teachers flexibility to adapt their desired educational models within their own classroom & curriculum	Giving individual teachers flexibility to adapt their desired educational models within their own classroom & curriculum Least important	Giving individual teachers flexibility to adapt their desired educational models within their own classroom & curriculum	Giving individual teachers flexibility to adapt their desired educational models within their own classroom & curriculum	Giving individual teachers flexibility to adapt their desired educational models within their own classroom & curriculum	Giving individual teachers flexibility to adapt their desired educational models within their own classroom & curriculum Most important

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* 5. Which forms of personalized learning initiatives for students would you support in descending order of importance? Rate your choices from 5 (most important) to 1 (least important).

	Least important				Most important
Opening more options for distance/online coursework	Opening more options for distance/online coursework Least important	Opening more options for distance/online coursework	Opening more options for distance/online coursework	Opening more options for distance/online coursework	Opening more options for distance/online coursework Most important
Formalizing programs for learning by doing using hands-on projects and practical experiences	Formalizing programs for learning by doing using hands-on projects and practical experiences Least important	Formalizing programs for learning by doing using hands-on projects and practical experiences	Formalizing programs for learning by doing using hands-on projects and practical experiences	Formalizing programs for learning by doing using hands-on projects and practical experiences	Formalizing programs for learning by doing using hands-on projects and practical experiences Most important
Providing and formalizing more independent study opportunities	Providing and formalizing more independent study opportunities Least important	Providing and formalizing more independent study opportunities	Providing and formalizing more independent study opportunities	Providing and formalizing more independent study opportunities	Providing and formalizing more independent study opportunities Most important
Creating new options for meeting our departmental requirements for a diploma	Creating new options for meeting our departmental requirements for a diploma Least important	Creating new options for meeting our departmental requirements for a diploma	Creating new options for meeting our departmental requirements for a diploma	Creating new options for meeting our departmental requirements for a diploma	Creating new options for meeting our departmental requirements for a diploma Most important
Expanding access to course work at local colleges and universities	Expanding access to course work at local colleges and universities Least important	Expanding access to course work at local colleges and universities	Expanding access to course work at local colleges and universities	Expanding access to course work at local colleges and universities	Expanding access to course work at local colleges and universities Most important

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* 6. Our current technology use K-12 includes some limited exposure in Lower School, a required 1-to-1 laptop plan in Middle School, a “bring what you prefer” option in High School, with some coding instruction available K-12 and robust online resources via our school website. How do you feel about that plan for teaching and learning at USN?

USN should push harder to lead with tech in education

USN should slow any further adoption of tech in education

USN should dramatically reduce the presence of technology in teaching and learning

USN seems about on target in its evolving use of technology

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* 7. What method would you most support as a strategy for tuition (now $19,113 for Lower School; $21,770 for Middle School; $22,795 for High School) in coming years?

A lower base tuition for just the basics, by division, with additional line item charges for any other program costs for co-curriculars and electives

A single unified tuition by division, rolling in all additional fees for programs and materials

Our current system of a single broad tuition by division (K-4, 5-8, 9-12) and some additional program charges by grade

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* 8. Which general direction for tuition would you support?

An effort to lower tuition for all by cutting budgets across all expenditure categories

An effort to expand program excellence by increasing tuition more rapidly to match top independent schools in other metropolitan areas

Keeping tuition roughly as it is now, with incremental increases for inflation

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* 9. What statement best reflects your view of need-based financial aid at USN?

We are doing all we can reasonably expect to do and should diminish future increases in the financial aid budget

We should increase the financial aid budget more substantially than ever, even if it means faster tuition growth

We should find ways to cut all other costs at USN to help current aid reach more students

We already allocate more than we should for need-based aid and should cut that budget

We need to continue increasing the financial aid budget as we have done in recent years, with incremental tuition growth

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* 10. What would you identify as our top financial priorities for the next decade? Please rate your choices in descending order of importance from 5 (most important) to 1 (least important),

	Least important				Most important
Keeping tuition increases as modest as possible	Keeping tuition increases as modest as possible Least important	Keeping tuition increases as modest as possible	Keeping tuition increases as modest as possible	Keeping tuition increases as modest as possible	Keeping tuition increases as modest as possible Most important
Building greater need-based financial aid resources	Building greater need-based financial aid resources Least important	Building greater need-based financial aid resources	Building greater need-based financial aid resources	Building greater need-based financial aid resources	Building greater need-based financial aid resources Most important
Controlling program and personnel budget expansion	Controlling program and personnel budget expansion Least important	Controlling program and personnel budget expansion	Controlling program and personnel budget expansion	Controlling program and personnel budget expansion	Controlling program and personnel budget expansion Most important
Increasing broad philanthropic support from donors	Increasing broad philanthropic support from donors Least important	Increasing broad philanthropic support from donors	Increasing broad philanthropic support from donors	Increasing broad philanthropic support from donors	Increasing broad philanthropic support from donors Most important
Finding additional sources of revenue beyond tuition and philanthropy	Finding additional sources of revenue beyond tuition and philanthropy Least important	Finding additional sources of revenue beyond tuition and philanthropy	Finding additional sources of revenue beyond tuition and philanthropy	Finding additional sources of revenue beyond tuition and philanthropy	Finding additional sources of revenue beyond tuition and philanthropy Most important

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* 11. If USN explored opportunities to increase its impact in Nashville and beyond, what would you think best? Six choices are listed below; leave one choice out of your ranking. Please rate your top 5 choices in descending order of preference, with 5 (most attractive) to 1 (least attractive).

	Least attractive				Most attractive
Increase the size of the student body on Edgehill Avenue	Increase the size of the student body on Edgehill Avenue Least attractive	Increase the size of the student body on Edgehill Avenue	Increase the size of the student body on Edgehill Avenue	Increase the size of the student body on Edgehill Avenue	Increase the size of the student body on Edgehill Avenue Most attractive
Open another campus somewhere else in the city to reach more students	Open another campus somewhere else in the city to reach more students Least attractive	Open another campus somewhere else in the city to reach more students	Open another campus somewhere else in the city to reach more students	Open another campus somewhere else in the city to reach more students	Open another campus somewhere else in the city to reach more students Most attractive
Develop more substantial daily partnerships with our public school neighbors	Develop more substantial daily partnerships with our public school neighbors Least attractive	Develop more substantial daily partnerships with our public school neighbors	Develop more substantial daily partnerships with our public school neighbors	Develop more substantial daily partnerships with our public school neighbors	Develop more substantial daily partnerships with our public school neighbors Most attractive
Use existing facilities at hours outside our current school day to offer programs for more students	Use existing facilities at hours outside our current school day to offer programs for more students Least attractive	Use existing facilities at hours outside our current school day to offer programs for more students	Use existing facilities at hours outside our current school day to offer programs for more students	Use existing facilities at hours outside our current school day to offer programs for more students	Use existing facilities at hours outside our current school day to offer programs for more students Most attractive
Build international partnerships with schools globally	Build international partnerships with schools globally Least attractive	Build international partnerships with schools globally	Build international partnerships with schools globally	Build international partnerships with schools globally	Build international partnerships with schools globally Most attractive
Build partnerships with leading K-12 independent schools nationally	Build partnerships with leading K-12 independent schools nationally Least attractive	Build partnerships with leading K-12 independent schools nationally	Build partnerships with leading K-12 independent schools nationally	Build partnerships with leading K-12 independent schools nationally	Build partnerships with leading K-12 independent schools nationally Most attractive

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* 12. To what extent do you agree with this statement: "Understanding that USN was founded as part of a college for teachers and given the advantages of our location nearby several universities, we should consider partnering with another institution to formally offer credentials for aspiring teachers"?

Strongly Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Neutral

Somewhat Agree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Somewhat Disagree

Neutral

Somewhat Agree

Strongly Agree

Question Title

* 13. Our current K-12 enrollment is 1050 students. (Lower School - 350 students; Middle School - 317 students; High School - 383 students.) Looking to the future, what would you think best for USN, now that we have reached capacity even with our expanded facilities? (Please choose one.)

Decrease Lower School size, increase Middle School and High School size and access for new students

Decrease Lower School size, keep Middle School as is, and increase High School size and access for new students

Decrease Lower School, Middle School, and High School size to offer more square feet per student

Keep Lower School, Middle School, High School as they are

Something else:

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* 14. Share an adjective that best describes USN

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* 15. What's one initiative that we could undertake that would make you most proud of being associated with USN?

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* 16. Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions. Before you leave the survey, please remember that for those questions asking you to rank from 1-5 (or 6), 1 is the least, and 5 (or 6) is the most. And if you'd like to share your name and email address, please do so below.

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* 1. My affiliations with USN/PDS are (choose all that apply):

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* 2. How would you describe yourself?

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* 3. Which best describes your frequency of contact with USN?

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* 4. What should be USN's core academic and educational purpose in coming decades? Rate your choices in descending order of importance from 5 (most important) to 1 (least important).

Question Title

* 5. Which forms of personalized learning initiatives for students would you support in descending order of importance? Rate your choices from 5 (most important) to 1 (least important).

Question Title

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* 7. What method would you most support as a strategy for tuition (now $19,113 for Lower School; $21,770 for Middle School; $22,795 for High School) in coming years?

Question Title

* 8. Which general direction for tuition would you support?

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* 9. What statement best reflects your view of need-based financial aid at USN?

Question Title

* 10. What would you identify as our top financial priorities for the next decade? Please rate your choices in descending order of importance from 5 (most important) to 1 (least important),

Question Title

* 11. If USN explored opportunities to increase its impact in Nashville and beyond, what would you think best? Six choices are listed below; leave one choice out of your ranking. Please rate your top 5 choices in descending order of preference, with 5 (most attractive) to 1 (least attractive).

Question Title

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* 13. Our current K-12 enrollment is 1050 students. (Lower School - 350 students; Middle School - 317 students; High School - 383 students.) Looking to the future, what would you think best for USN, now that we have reached capacity even with our expanded facilities? (Please choose one.)

Question Title

* 14. Share an adjective that best describes USN

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* 15. What's one initiative that we could undertake that would make you most proud of being associated with USN?

Question Title

* 16. Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions. Before you leave the survey, please remember that for those questions asking you to rank from 1-5 (or 6), 1 is the least, and 5 (or 6) is the most. And if you'd like to share your name and email address, please do so below.

* 4. What should be USN's core academic and educational purpose in coming decades? ***Rate* *your choices in descending order of importance from 5 (most important) to 1 (least important).***