The Ripon Area School District recently launched an Alumni and Community Interest Survey, asking our former students to provide us with feedback and input on their impressions of the district and how we can best engage them.

In large numbers, alumni spoke to the positive outcomes for Ripon graduates, made possible by quality programs, teachers and facilities. The district's academics, fine arts, athletics, STEM program and recent facility enhancements also received high marks from survey respondents.

"Almost all of my family graduated from this wonderful school district," wrote one alumnus. "Our success as adults is due in part to our preparation from Ripon schools."

Another wrote: "I am proud to be a Ripon Tiger because it was in that school that I figured out who I am. Between the classes I took and the teachers who mentored me, it all led me down the path that I currently walk today."

Communicating with our former students

It was wonderful to read all the great responses and comments. However, we also received a lot of practical feedback that will help us as we work to connect with more alumni in the coming months.

For example, many respondents reported that they would like to receive alumni-focused news and updates via the Ripon Nation website, social media and email and e-newsletters. They also expressed interest in getting invited to more school- and alumni-related events and activities.

More than 70 percent of alumni said that they would find considerable benefit in keeping in touch with their former classmates through an online directory — something Ripon Nation provides. They also said that they would like more information on volunteer opportunities, along with guest speaking in classrooms and mentoring current Ripon students.

We would like to thank everyone who took part in this survey. It was a great experience for our district and staff, and we look forward to taking the results and brainstorming how we can best serve you, our alumni, as we move forward.