Student Focus Group Findings

Between September, 2018 and February, 2019, Valley Unified conducted 14 focus group meetings with a total of 220 students in grades 6-12 from our region's elementary and middle/high schools concerning their thoughts, views, and opinions about the proposed Valley Unified Regional High School.  Summative data from the focus groups appears below:

• 35% of those participating were Madawaska School Department students, 25% represented the MSAD #33 student population, and 40% were from MSAD #27 schools.

• Before sharing their thoughts about a single regional school for the Upper St. John Valley, 51% of students indicated they felt the proposed new school was a good idea, 30% believed it was a bad idea, and 19% were undecided.

• After hearing each other's thoughts about a single regional school, 66% of participants indicated, if they could vote and their vote counted, they would vote in favor of the new school, 31% indicated they would vote no, and 3% were undecided.

• Of the students in grades 6 and 7 who took part in the focus groups, 49% indicated they would vote in favor of the school and 51% indicated they would vote no.

• Of the grade 8 students who participated, 76% indicated they would vote in favor of the new school, 17% indicated they would vote no, and 7% were undecided.

• Of the students in grades 9-12 who took part, 84% indicated they would vote in favor of the new school, 13% indicated they would vote no, and 3% were undecided.

• Of the 220 total students who participated, 35% indicated the school should be located in Frenchville, 23% indicated the school should be located at a center point in terms of miles and travel time, and 20% thought it should be located in Fort Kent.

Key advantages or opportunities of the proposed school that students identified included the following:

• Stronger athletic teams, including JV squads.

• A greater variety of classes and learning opportunities.

• Getting to know new people and make new friends.

• More clubs, groups, and things to do, because of more students.

• A modern, energy-efficient building that will cost less to heat and light.

• More money available for teachers, classes, and programs, because less will be spent on buildings and administration.

• Everyone will be exposed to Career and Technical Education and career clusters.

Those interested in more information concerning the student focus group findings, including the questions asked and students' thoughts about the challenges posed by a single regional school, can click here to access a detailed PDF document.

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