From Communication to Advocacy: What Day School Leaders Must Rethink About Parent Engagement

By Dr. Harry Bloom

In Jewish day schools, reputation isn’t just earned through academics or co-curriculars—it’s built on the strength of relationships. And what is the cornerstone of those relationships? Communication. Renowned day school coach Jane Taubenfeld Cohen believes getting communication "right" between schools and their parents and students is one of the top school challenges.

Furthermore, Benchmarking for Good’s analysis of survey data from 1,400 Jewish day school parents shows that how schools communicate—both responsively and proactively—explains nearly one-third of a family’s likelihood to recommend the school.

The 22.5-point gap between these NPS* scores highlights a real opportunity: schools are doing relatively well in responsiveness but lagging in proactive outreach—especially when it comes to individualized, student-centered communication.

*The Net Promoter score subtracts from the percentage of respondents who are (Promoters) very satisfied the percentage that are on the fence or dissatisfied (Detractors)

🏆 Exemplars of Effective Engagement

Out of the 10 schools studied, two stood out: 

• Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls achieved near parity between responsive and proactive communication. Their outreach feels both timely and deeply personalized.

• JKHA/RKYHS Kushner Academy earned praise for strong responsiveness and solid proactive strategies, striking a thoughtful balance that parents recognize and value.

These schools model what’s possible when communication evolves from reactive updates to relational advocacy.

⚠️ The Downside of Silence

Only 13–17% of families unsatisfied with communication are “very likely” to recommend their school. These quiet detractors can impact enrollment trends and weaken community trust.

✅ The Advocacy Advantage

In contrast, 85–88% of families highly satisfied  with school communications become vocal promoters. Their enthusiasm fuels referrals, retention, and donor engagement—especially when communication is tailored to the child’s unique journey.

🎯 What School Leaders Can Do

• Audit your outreach: How responsive and proactive are you—really?

• Prioritize proactive personalization: Make it about the student, not just the school.

• Use NPS research to guide improvements: Track, compare, and act on data trends.

• Empower faculty: Teachers are your best communication allies.

🚀 Take Action—At No Cost

Benchmarking for Good’s Fall/Winter 2025 Grant Cycle is open—and it’s a game-changer. Qualified and selected schools receive custom research, NPS diagnostics relative to peer schools, and group working sessions to elevate communication strategies and drive parent satisfaction and advocacy.

💡 No cost. No catch. Just pragmatic insight. 📌 Grantee spots are limited and competitive.

📧 To apply, complete this brief Grant Inquiry Form and Dr. Harry Bloom will be in touch with you to set up an appointment to explore the fit of the grants with your school's needs.

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