According to a study by the Johns Hopkins University Center on Schools, when schools encouraged families (parents) to support math learning at home, students were more likely to score at or above proficiency on standardized math tests. This shows the power of involving parents in both school and their children’s learning.
Another study from Harvard found that schools where parents are more involved have far fewer students missing school. In fact, schools with the highest parent engagement had 6% fewer students who were regularly absent compared to schools where parents weren’t as involved.
So, if you’re running a school, you already know that both the school and its students thrive when parents are actively involved. But making that involvement meaningful, without it becoming chaotic or difficult to manage, is the real challenge. Some parents want to contribute but aren’t sure how. Others start off willing but lose interest due to poor communication or unclear roles.
The good news? You don’t need a huge budget or a complex plan to build strong parent engagement. What you need is the right mindset, the right team, a consistent approach, and communication channels that parents actually use.
And when we talk about parent involvement, we’re referring not only to the parents of your current students but also to prospective parents who are considering your school for their child’s admission.
So, let’s explore some practical ways schools can involve parents more effectively, and the long-term benefits that come with doing it right.
How to Involve Parents in Your School
1. Make Communication Simple, Clear, and Two-Way, Not Just One-Way
Many schools send updates but don’t create space for real conversation. True engagement begins when parents feel heard, not just informed. Start by making your messages clear, concise, and regular—and always leave room for replies. Use channels parents are comfortable with, like WhatsApp groups, email, a chat feature on your website, or short surveys. Avoid overwhelming them with long PDFs or formal school jargon. Speak like a person, not like a circular notice.
2. Invite Them to Be Part of School Life
Parents don’t just want to sit in the audience and watch—they want to be part of the experience. Invite them to actively contribute in ways that feel meaningful:
- Help organize events and contribute ideas alongside teachers and students
- Share their professional expertise through guest talks or demonstrations in class
- Participate in parent-student activities like quizzes, art projects, or friendly sports matches
- Join school outings or mentoring days
Even small roles can create a real sense of belonging. And when parents feel involved, they naturally become advocates for the school. They’ll talk about it with friends and family, “I helped out at my child’s school, and it was such a great experience”, and that kind of word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful, organic ways to build your school’s reputation.
3. Create Workshops That Support Parents Too
It’s easy to focus only on students, but parents often need support too. Many are unsure how to help their children deal with academic pressure, screen addiction, or changing school systems.
You don’t need to host fancy seminars. Even simple, informal sessions can make a big difference. Try offering short, helpful discussions on topics like:
- How to manage screen time at home
- Supporting your child’s mental well-being
- Tips for helping with homework (without doing it for them)
- Understanding changes in the curriculum or board updates
These can be 30-minute sessions led by a teacher, counselor, or even an experienced parent. Keep them friendly, practical, and focused on real-life advice. Don’t aim to impress, just aim to connect. This will increase parent engagement and strengthen your school’s image in their minds. Ultimately, it also supports students at home.
4. Set Up a Parent Advisory Group
Involving parents in school decisions doesn’t mean handing over control, it means valuing their perspective. A parent advisory group is a simple yet powerful way to do that.
You don’t need anything formal or complicated. It could be:
- A small WhatsApp group
- A monthly meet-up
- A quick feedback form or regular email check-in
The goal is to bring together a few parents from different grades or backgrounds to share what’s working, what’s not, and what could be improved. When parents see that their input is heard and valued, they’re more likely to stay engaged and actively support your school, both within the community and beyond.
5. Use Social Media to Keep Parents in the Loop
Most parents, current and prospective, are already scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube daily. Your school should show up where they already are.
Post regular photos and short videos of classroom activities, events, student achievements, and even behind-the-scenes moments. It’s not just about showing off, it’s about making parents feel like they’re part of the school’s journey.
Encourage parents to like, comment, and share. When they engage, it boosts visibility and gives them a sense of connection and pride. Bonus: prospective parents browsing your pages get a real, authentic feel of what your school is like. Consistent, thoughtful social media content builds trust, excitement, and a stronger school-parent relationship. This also helps increase your school’s brand awareness among parents and students.
Use Tech and Medium That Works for Parents
Not all parents are tech-savvy, but everyone appreciates updates that are simple, quick, and clear. And for parents, that kind of communication is essential.
Here’s what that looks like:
- A mobile-friendly school website
- Short, clear updates instead of long, formal letters
- Easy access to key information like calendars, results, and event reminders
- No app overload, stick to platforms parents already use and trust
If your school’s online presence feels outdated or clunky, it’s time to fix it. A smooth, parent-friendly digital setup builds trust and keeps families in the loop.
This is where InklikEdu can help. We work with schools to upgrade their digital communication, from revamping websites to setting up better tools for parent interaction. Our goal? Making it easy for schools to stay connected with families, without adding extra work for your staff.
What Are the Benefits of Involving Parents?
1. Students Perform Better
It’s not a guess, it’s backed by research. When parents are involved, students are more motivated, attend school more regularly, and show better results in academics and activities.
2. Parents Trust the School More
Strong communication and involvement create stronger relationships. Parents feel they’re part of the journey, not just paying for it.
3. School Reputation Grows Organically
Happy, involved parents talk. They post, they share, they recommend. That kind of word-of-mouth is something no ad campaign can match.
4. Admissions and Retention Improve
Schools that build real parent communities don’t just get more referrals, they hold on to their students longer. That long-term trust matters.
Final Thought
Involving parents isn’t a task to tick off, it’s a mindset. It takes effort, yes, but the return is worth it: stronger student performance, better school culture, and a more supportive parent community.
And if you feel your current systems, digital or otherwise, aren’t helping, it’s okay to look for support. At InklikEdu, we work with schools to improve communication, branding, and digital presence, so that parents stay connected and engaged, and your school keeps growing.
Parent involvement doesn’t have to be complicated. Just thoughtful, consistent, and done with the right tools.
