5 secrets to stronger high school connections

Key points:

Strong communication doesn’t happen by accident–it takes consistency
Being a principal just got harder–and here’s why
How consistent communication transformed our school culture
For more on school communication, visit eSN’s Educational Leadership hub

I’ve been a principal for 14 years, during which time I served as the leader of an alternative school, an early college, and a large middle school. Through it all I’ve seen firsthand just how anxious families get during school transitions at every stage of the game. The move from elementary to middle is scary enough, but the parents of rising sixth graders often imagine the worst and need a bridge to help steady the transition.

This year I took over as principal of McDowell High School. With about 1,400 students, it’s much larger than the district’s middle schools. That scale can feel overwhelming for families that want to know their child won’t get lost in the crowd. They also want quick answers when questions come up. Many of our families speak Spanish at home, which makes direct translation and digital access even more important.

To meet those needs, we rely on ClassDojo for Districts as our single platform to connect every teacher and every family. For us, the platform means the difference between parents knowing they’re true partners and potentially feeling left out. Here are five reasons I think every high school should invest in a comprehensive communication system:

1. Keep parents informed during emergencies.

Early in the year we dealt with a Snapchat hoax that warned of an ominous threat. The rumor began in another state but reached our town quickly and left families on edge. That Monday morning, I posted a clear message about the situation and promised an update once details were confirmed. Later that day I reassured families the threat had been traced back to West Virginia and wasn’t a danger. One parent replied, “This helped ease my mind during the workday.” Parents depend on fast, accurate updates in moments like this.

2. Give parents clear opportunities to help.

Parents want to be involved with their teens’ lives and educational experience but often don’t know how to get started. If I post a general call for volunteers, few respond. If I ask for something specific, such as shoveling mulch, chaperoning a dance, or helping with an event, parents step up. During homecoming week, one parent signed up to chaperone after seeing my request. Clear, direct asks make families more willing to get involved.

3. Support teens who still need reminders.

High school students look independent, but they’re not fully grown up–they are growing up. Communication with families fills the gaps teenagers leave. Every parent knows the routine: How was your day? Fine. Do you have homework? No. Any events coming up? Nothing. A digital update replaces those dead ends with facts. Parents can see what students are learning, what assignments are due, and how they can help at home. Updates also prevent families from saying, “I didn’t know about that.” Students now have a record they can check anytime.

4. Enhance the school’s reputation.

Sometimes middle and high schools get a bad rap, but sharing the real story behind them helps counter that perception. Last week our culinary arts students created and tested their own dessert recipes. I took photos and posted them for families to see. Instead of hearing negative stories through word of mouth, families saw students engaged in hands-on learning. The more positive stories we share, the more confidence families place in the school. Consistent communication lets us control our narrative.

5. Manage everyday logistics.

Not every message carries the same weight, but many matter in daily life. Our high school buses also transport middle school students, and driver shortages make it difficult to stay on schedule. We often run late or send a second round of buses. We post bus changes every morning, so families know exactly when to expect pick up. Parents no longer wait in the dark or sit on hold with busy phone lines. Timely updates reduce stress and keep schedules on track.

Strong communication doesn’t happen by accident–it takes clear goals and consistent follow-through. My immediate goal is 90 percent parent connection in Dojo. At the middle school level that was easy to measure, but with 1,400 students on a block schedule, it takes far more time. Instead of chasing numbers, I focus on visibility. My Story goal is at least one school post each day about events, and right now we average five. Those daily updates keep families in the loop, give students pride in their work, and show our community that clear communication is the foundation of trust.