OMB #: 

Expiration Date: 

Private School Principal Questionnaire 

Spring 2013

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to 

a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. 

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 

minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data 

sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 

collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is mandatory (citing 

authority)/required to obtain or retain benefit (citing authority) or voluntary. Send 

comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of 

information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of 

Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20210-4537 or email 

ICDocketMgr@ed.gov and reference the OMB Control Number XXXX-XXXX. Note: Please 

do not return the completed XXXX (cite form or other applicable reporting mechanism) 

application to this address. 
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 1

To better understand the differences between the public and private schools, this 

survey asks about policies, practices, and working conditions in your school. It is part 

of a multi-year study that will examine how public and private school conditions change 

over time and throughout the District.

Q1. How long have you been the principal at this school? ( Check one)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Less than 1 year to 2 years.....................

1

3 to 4 years .............................................

2

5 years ....................................................

3

More than 5 years ...................................

4

Part 1: Admissions and Available Programs

The questions in this section ask about possible requirements for admission and the 

programs your school may offer.

Q2. Which of the following criteria does your school routinely use in admitting students? 

( Check all that apply)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

a. Interview ........................................................................ 

01

b. Academic performance as measured by a test your

school or your school system administers..................... 

02

c. Other indicators of academic performance ................... 

03

d. Disciplinary record ......................................................... 

04

e. Extent of special needs ................................................. 

05

f. Essay............................................................................. 

06

g. Religious affiliation......................................................... 

07

h. Neighborhood priorities ................................................. 

08

i. Sibling preferences........................................................ 

09

j. Children of faculty or board members ........................... 

10

k. School does not have any admissions criteria .............. 

11

l. Other (please specify ______________________) ...... 

12
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 2

Q3a. What percent of the students in your school are of Latino or Hispanic origin?

 

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

____________ (percent)

Q3b. Please indicate the percentage of students in the school in each of the following racial/ethnic 

categories.

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Percent

American Indian or Alaska Native...................... _________

Asian .................................................................. _________

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders ....... _________

Black or African American.................................. _________

White .................................................................. _________

Total 100%
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 3

Q4. Which of the following programs or facilities are available to students in your school? 

( Check yes or no on each row)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Yes No

Special Instructional Programs

a. Programs with specific instructional approaches 

(e.g., Success for All, Reading Recovery) ............. 

1 2

b. A foreign language program................................... 

1 2

c. Advanced placement (AP) courses (high school 

only) ....................................................................... 

1 2

d. International Baccalaureate (IB) program (high 

school only) ........................................................... 

1 2

e. Instructional programs for non-English speakers... 

1 2

f. Instructional programs for students with learning 

problems................................................................. 

1 2

g. Instructional programs for advanced learners or 

talented/gifted program........................................... 

1 2

h. Music program........................................................ 

1 2

i. Arts program........................................................... 

1 2

Extra-Curricular Activities

j. After-school program .............................................. 

1 2

k. Before-school program ........................................... 

1 2

l. Athletics .................................................................. 

1 2

m. Academic Clubs...................................................... 

1 2

n. Performing Arts....................................................... 

1 2

Supports for Struggling Learners

o. Individual tutors ...................................................... 

1 2

School Facilities

p. Nurse ...................................................................... 

1 2

q. Lunches prepared at the school ............................. 

1 2

r. Computer lab .......................................................... 

1 2

s. Library/Media Center.............................................. 

1 2

t. Gym ........................................................................ 

1 2

u. Cafeteria ................................................................. 

1 2

v. Other (please specify ___________________) ..... 

1 2
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 4

Q5. How would you rate your school on each of the following aspects? 

( Check one box on each row)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey, revised)

Excellent

Very 

Good Adequate Inadequate Deficient

Does not 

apply to this 

school

School Facilities:

a. Condition of the building(s)................ 

1 2 3 4 5 6

b. The amount of space available for 

activities ............................................. 

1 2 3 4 5 6

c. Quality of science labs available ....... 

1 2 3 4 5 6

d. Quality of computer facilities available

........................................................... 

1 2 3 4 5 6

e. Quality and availability of textbooks 

and other instructional materials........ 

1 2 3 4 5 6

f. Quality of your library......................... 

1 2 3 4 5 6

g. Access to computers and other 

educational technology 

(e.g., calculators) ............................... 

1 2 3 4 5 6

h. Transportation for students to and 

from school ........................................ 

1 2 3 4 5 6

i. Accessibility for students with 

disabilities .......................................... 

1 2 3 4 5 6

Students and Parents:

j. Student attendance and punctuality .... 

1 2 3 4 5 6

k. Student preparation in subject areas... 

1 2 3 4 5 6

l. Student motivation to learn.................. 

1 2 3 4 5 6

m. Student behavior and/or discipline ...... 

1 2 3 4 5 6

n. Parental support for student learning .. 

1 2 3 4 5 6

Teachers and Instruction:

o. Teacher expectations for how well 

students will learn ................................ 

1 2 3 4 5 6

p. Provisions for low-performing 

students ............................................... 

1 2 3 4 5 6

q. The amount of instructional time in the 

school day............................................ 

1 2 3 4 5 6

r. Instructional skills and abilities of 

teachers ............................................... 

1 2 3 4 5 6

s. Subject area expertise of teachers...... 

1 2 3 4 5 6

t. Teacher attendance and punctuality ... 

1 2 3 4 5 6

u. Teaching staff turnover........................ 

1 2 3 4 5 6

v. Teacher compensation ........................ 

1 2 3 4 5 6
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 5

Q6. How much emphasis do you place on the following goals and objectives for your teachers? 

( Check one box on each row) (ECLS-K 8th Grade Administrator Survey)

No or

minor 

emphasis

Moderate 

emphasis

Major 

emphasis

a. Assisting all students to achieve high standards ............... 

1 2 3

b. Using curricula aligned with high standards ...................... 

1 2 3

c. Using instructional strategies (e.g., hands-on activities, 

cooperative learning) aligned with high standards............. 

1 2 3

d. Participation in professional development activities .......... 

1 2 3

Part 2: Classroom Instruction and Classroom Testing

This section focuses on the ways classroom instruction is organized at your 

school and how often testing occurs.

Q7. Schools sometimes organize instruction differently for students with different abilities and interests. 

Which of the following does your school do for students? 

( Check one)

(ECLS-K 8th Grade Administrator Survey)



1 We offer differentiated courses in our core curriculum but students have open access to 

any course provided they have taken the required prerequisite(s).



2 We offer differentiated courses and do differentiated grouping in our core curriculum.



3 We offer a variety of undifferentiated courses in our core curriculum, and students have 

open access to any course provided they have taken the required prerequisite(s).

Q8. For students who have difficulty learning at the same pace as their classmates, what proportion of 

these students are provided the following types of support?

( Check one box on each row) (Previous DC Choice Study survey, revised)

All Some Few None

Not 

Offered

a. Rely on teachers to provide 

extra help during regular class 

times .............................................. 

1 2 3 4 5

b. Counsel students to enroll in 

other schools ................................. 

1 2 3 4 5

c. Use peers as instructors................ 

1 2 3 4 5

d. Provide individualized attention 

from an adult other than the 

main classroom teacher ................ 

1 2 3 4 5

e. Computer-based instruction .......... 

1 2 3 4 5

f. Use differentiated instruction 

techniques ..................................... 

1 2 3 4 5

g. Other (please specify 

_______________________) ....... 

1 2 3 4 5
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 6

Q9. For each grade listed below, please answer the following questions.

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

If your school has a 

THIRD grade, please 

answer (a) and (b):

If your school has an

EIGHTH grade, please 

answer (a) and (b):

If your school has a 

TENTH grade, 

please answer (a) 

and (b):

a. How long is the typical 

full week of school?

hours and

minutes

hours and

minutes

hours and

minutes

b. During a typical full week 

of school, approximately 

how many minutes do 

most students spend on

these activities at this 

school?

(1) English, reading, or 

language arts minutes per 

week

minutes per 

week

minutes per 

week

(2) Arithmetic or math minutes per 

week

minutes per 

week

minutes per 

week

(3) Social studies or 

history

minutes per 

week

minutes per 

week

minutes per 

week

(4) Science minutes per 

week

minutes per 

week

minutes per 

week

Q10. On average, how often do teachers in your school test the English, reading, or language arts

skills of their students? ( Check one)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

More than once a week ... 

1

Weekly............................. 

2

Monthly ............................ 

3

Quarterly.......................... 

4

Annually........................... 

5

Q11. Over the past few years, has the frequency of testing English, reading, or language arts skills at 

your school ( Check one)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Increased......................... 

1

Decreased ....................... 

2

Stayed the same.............. 

3
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 7

Q12. On average, how often do teachers in your school test the Arithmetic or math skills of their 

students? ( Check one)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

More than once a week ... 

1

Weekly............................. 

2

Monthly ............................ 

3

Quarterly.......................... 

4

Annually........................... 

5

Q13. Over the past few years, has the frequency of testing Arithmetic or math skills at your school?

( Check one)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Increased......................... 

1

Decreased ....................... 

2

Stayed the same.............. 

3

Q14. What is your policy regarding exceptions to attendance at religious activities?

( Check one)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

All students required to participate in all religious 

activities ........................................................................ 

1

All students required to participate in some religious 

activities but can be excused from others..................... 

2

Some students are excused from all religious activities 

at the request of their parents ....................................... 

3

Participation in religious activities is voluntary for all 

students at all times ...................................................... 

4

This school does not have religious activities............... 

5
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 8

Part 3: Parental Involvement

This section asks about parental involvement in your school programs.

Q15. Does the school do the following for parents? 

( Check one on each row) (Previous DC Choice Study survey, revised)

Yes No

a. inform them of their student’s progress halfway 

through the grading period ....................................... 

1 2

b. notify them when their student is sent to the office 

for disruptive behavior .............................................. 

1 2

c. provide them with weekly or daily notes about 

their child’s progress................................................. 

1 2

d. provide them with a newsletter about what’s going 

on in their child’s school or school system ............... 

1 2

e. invite them to attend leadership workshops ............. 

1 2

Q16. What proportion of parents participate in the following activities in your school? 

( Check one on each row)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey, revised)

All Some Few None

Not 

Offered

a. Parents speak to classes about 

their jobs .............................................. 

1 2 3 4 5

b. Parents participate in instruction.......... 

1 2 3 4 5

c. Parents attend parent/teacher 

conferences ......................................... 

1 2 3 4 5

d. Parents accompany students on 

class trips ............................................. 

1 2 3 4 5

e. Parents help out with sports 

activities ............................................... 

1 2 3 4 5

f. Parents attend open-houses or 

back-to-school nights........................... 

1 2 3 4 5

g. Parents serve on advisory 

boards............................................ 

1 2 3 4 5
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 9

Part 4: Safety Measures

This section asks about whether your school utilizes certain kinds of safety

measures.

Q17. Does your school currently have the following? ( Check yes or no on each row)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey, revised)

Yes No

a. A requirement that visitors sign in or check in.... 

1 2

b. A process for screening students using metal 

detectors ............................................................. 

1 2

c. A requirement that all or most of the students 

stay on school grounds during lunch.................. 

1 2

d. Drug sweeps....................................................... 

1 2

e. Daily presence of police or security persons...... 

1 2

f. Video surveillance .............................................. 

1 2

Q18. During this school year (2012-13), how many students were:

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Suspended: ____________ (number)

Expelled: ____________ (number)
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 10

Part 5: DC Opportunity Scholarship Program

This section asks about your knowledge of and experience with the DC 

Opportunity Scholarship Program, administered by the Trust

Q19. How did you hear about the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program, the federally-funded 

scholarship program for students from low-income DC families administered by DC Children and 

Youth Investment Trust Corporation (Trust)? ( Check all that apply)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

a. I read about the program in the newspaper but do not know the 

details ............................................................................................... 

01

b. I received informational materials in the mail ................................... 

02

c. I talked to other private school principals about the program........... 

03

d. I talked to the Trust on the phone about the program ...................... 

04

e. I attended one informational meeting about the program ................ 

05

f. I attended several meetings about the program............................... 

06

g. I discussed the program with the staff of organizations to which 

the school belongs (e.g., Center City Consortium, Catholic 

Archdiocese of Washington, Council for American Private 

Education)......................................................................................... 

07

h. I have not heard of the program ....................................................... 

08

i. I have been involved with the program since its inception ............... 

09

j. Other (please specify _______________________________)....... 

10

Q20. Has your school participated in the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program)? Please check “Yes” if 

your school agreed to participate even if your school did not enroll any scholarship students.

( Check one)

(Previous DC Choice Study survey)

No, never participated.................................................

1

Yes, participated in previous years but not 

this past school year (2012-13) ...............................

2

(Go to Question 21)

Yes, participated every school year since the

program’s inception (2004-05 school year) .............

3

(Go to Question 22)
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 11

Q21. Why didn’t your school ever participate in the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program?

( Check all that apply) (Previous DC Choice Study survey)

a. Our school already had a waiting list and had no room or need for the 

new students from the DC Opportunity Scholarship program................ 

01

b. School officials had concerns about discipline and school safety if DC 

Opportunity Scholarship students were admitted................................... 

02

c. School officials believed that DC Opportunity scholarship students 

were unlikely to select our school........................................................... 

03

d. School officials believed that DC Opportunity Scholarship students 

were unlikely to pass our admissions tests ............................................ 

04

e. DC Opportunity Scholarships were being awarded too late in the 

school’s admissions process .................................................................. 

05

f. DC Opportunity Scholarship amount was not adequate to cover our 

school’s costs of educating the students................................................ 

06

g. School officials had concerns regarding the effect of participation on 

our school’s independence, distinct character or identity....................... 

07

h. School officials had concerns regarding the effect of participation on 

our school’s admissions policies ............................................................ 

08

i. School officials had concerns regarding the effect of participation on 

our school’s academic standards ........................................................... 

09

j. School officials had concerns about regulations that might come with 

participation ............................................................................................ 

10

k. School officials had concerns about the evaluation the U.S. 

Department of Education is conducting.................................................. 

11

l. School officials had concerns about the amount of paperwork and 

reports that are required of participating schools ................................... 

12

m. School officials had concerns about potential future testing 

requirements........................................................................................... 

13

n. Uncertainty regarding whether the program would continue.................. 

14

o. Other (please specify_________________________________).......... 

15
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 12

Q22. Why did your school stop participating in the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program?

( Check all that apply) (Previous DC Choice Study survey)

a. Our school already had a waiting list and had no room or need for the new 

students from the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program ..................................... 

01

b. School officials had concerns about discipline and school safety if DC 

Opportunity Scholarship students were admitted................................................. 

02

c. School officials believed that DC Opportunity scholarship students were 

unlikely to select our school.................................................................................. 

03

d. School officials believed that DC Opportunity Scholarship students were 

unlikely to pass our admissions tests ................................................................... 

04

e. DC Opportunity Scholarships were being awarded too late in the school’s 

admissions process .............................................................................................. 

05

f. DC Opportunity Scholarship amount was not adequate to cover our school’s 

costs of educating the students ............................................................................ 

06

g. School officials had concerns regarding the effect of participation on our 

school’s independence, distinct character or identity........................................... 

07

h. School officials had concerns regarding the effect of participation on our 

school’s admissions policies................................................................................. 

08

i. School officials had concerns regarding the effect of participation on our 

school’s academic standards ............................................................................... 

09

j. School officials had concerns about regulations that might come with 

participation .......................................................................................................... 

10

k. School officials had concerns about the evaluation the U.S. Department of 

Education is conducting........................................................................................ 

11

l. School officials had concerns about the amount of paperwork and reports 

that are required of participating schools ............................................................. 

12

m. School officials had concerns about potential future testing requirements .......... 

13

n. Uncertainty regarding whether the program would continue 

14

o. Other (please specify_________________________________________)........ 

15

Q23. In the past 5 years or since you became principal of this school, have you made any changes 

specifically to encourage DC Opportunity Scholarship students to enroll in your school or to assist 

those that do enroll? ( Check one) (Previous DC Choice Study survey)

Yes .......................................

1

No.........................................

2

(Go to END)
Private School Principal Questionnaire- Spring 2013 - DRAFT 13

Q24. Which of the following changes did you make specifically to encourage DC Opportunity 

Scholarship students to enroll in your school or to assist those that do enroll?

( Check all that apply) (Previous DC Choice Study survey, revised )

a. Added parent orientation or meeting to describe 

school offerings and performance ........................................... 

01

b. Offered additional courses (e.g., introduced a course 

in computer technology or art)................................................. 

02

c. Increased school safety provisions ......................................... 

03

d. Adjusted disciplinary rules ....................................................... 

04

e. Altered class sizes................................................................... 

05

f. Added tutoring or other special services to help 

improve academic achievement.............................................. 

06

g. Participated in one or more Trust school fairs......................... 

07

h. Promoted your school through the use of flyers, 

radio ads, newspapers ads, or other methods of 

advertising. ..............................................................................



08

i. Made efforts to improve the physical appearance of 

your school .............................................................................. 

09

j. Reduced tuition or provided families with financial 

aid or tuition assistance ........................................................... 

10

Q25. Have you done any of the following to encourage DC Opportunity Scholarship students to stay at 

this school?

( Check all that apply) (new item)

a. Meet with parents to discuss how their child is doing ..................

01

b. Meet with teachers to assess approaches for helping 

the student succeed academically ...............................................

02

c. Meet with the student to discuss issues that may be 

hindering their progress................................................................

03

d. .. Identify additional financial aid to meet family needs ...................

04

END: Thank you for completing this survey.