Jasper Secondary School students, teachers and parents are reporting a higher level of satisfaction with the school than one year ago.

Results of an annual survey of students, parents and teachers shows improvements across the board, scoring high marks in creating a safe and caring school, high school completion rates and parental involvement.

Principal Mark Crozier was encouraged by the results, which show a drastic improvement from 2008. In 2008, school safety, education quality, work preparation and parental involvement were all listed as an issue for the town, while citizenship and school improvement was listed as a concern. however the school now scores excellent marks in school safety, high school completion and parental involvement.

“We’ve made some gains. In just about all areas, we’re up, which is exciting,” Crozier said.

The biggest change was seen in the safe and caring schools section. Last year, JSS ranked low in that area, however this year, the school ranked Very high. Crozier is uncertain about the measurement, as he’d expect a steady progression.

“We incorporate techniques to enrich what students can expect,” Crozier said, mentioning that he strives to create a safe environment for students.

The only area where the school scored low is citizenship, which measures student pride in community. They scored very low in 2008, and low in 2009. 

Crozier said there are initiatives to improve that area.

“In each one, there are side strategies. For example, in assemblies we talk about character, reworked our dances and have a RCMP partnership,” Crozier said. 

The policies are rewritten with input from the staff, Crozier said

The school is also attempting to curb drinking, letting students know they may be arrested if they are at school inebriated.

Crozier said some areas are easier to improve than others, and he wants to see steady improvement across the board. For example, parents now receive notes from parent council meetings to improve parental communication. However, changing student pride in community is much harder, Crozier said. “It’s measuring how students show responsibility, which is harder,” he said.

The report goes to Edmonton and is used in funding applications. If a school repeatedly scores poorly on the survey, the province will intervene, Crozier said.

“It makes schools accountable,” Crozier said. “It’s nice to know what they think.”