Great Valley administrators report staff, student survey findings for new 5–6 Center and reconfigured 7–8 schedule; safety, electives and mental health flagged

Administrators gave the board an update on how the newly opened 5–6 Center and the reconfigured 7–8 middle school schedule have performed so far, reporting results from staff and student surveys conducted since the buildings opened.

Officials said staff priorities shifted between April 2024 and a December follow‑up: at the 5–6 Center facility and building procedures — including school safety drills and recess supervision — emerged as top priorities once staff had experience in the new building. Administrators said the 5–6 Center’s open design required building‑specific safety protocols; the district is working with its security liaison to revise drills and procedures and pick up feedback observed during practice drills.

At both schools curriculum and instruction remain key concerns, administrators said, but the focus has shifted from ‘‘what’’ is taught to ‘‘how’’ it is delivered — instructional frameworks, assessments and grading consistency — as staff work to align practices across classrooms. Communication and community issues rose in priority in the December staff survey, while staffing and facilities concerns eased as positions filled and operations stabilized.

On student feedback, administrators said a December survey of 7th‑ and 8th‑grade students found the majority of students described electives as engaging and aligned with course descriptions; many students said having electives be ungraded reduced stress and increased motivation. Administrators noted 8th graders reported less favorable views overall and that the archaeology elective in particular drew comments that its content was less engaging than anticipated, prompting a planned closer review of that course’s materials and delivery.

The district highlighted the core‑extension period — added to offer embedded academic support during the day — as a mechanism to provide extra time with regular subject teachers and co‑teaching support, but officials acknowledged the model is still being adjusted and that further schedule tweaks may be needed. Administrators also told trustees that Canvas course‑management work is more burdensome for special‑area teachers who teach many single‑cycle classes, because each class section requires a separate Canvas page.

Mental‑health and student‑services needs were a recurring concern in both staff and student feedback. Administrators said counseling and student‑services teams will be part of follow‑up work and that they will solicit teacher input on targeted professional development to address areas identified in the surveys.

Administrators said they will continue to collect feedback throughout the 2024–25 school year and present another progress update in April.