How and why public school students achieve

The answer is family. In 2005, Ateneo math and psychology professor Dr. Queena Lee-Chua, family and marriage counselor Maribel Sison-Dionisio, and Ateneo parent volunteer Nerisa Fernandez headed a team of Ateneo Grade School and High School parents to study how selected public school students in Marikina and Bulacan achieve in school.

In 2003, the team did a survey on best parenting practices at the Ateneo High School, and to date, they have presented the findings to more than 50 groups, including Ateneo alumni. The response has been so positive and welcoming that University President Bienvenido F. Nebres, SJ, fully supported a bigger study, this time involving public schools.

The new study on public school students confirms much of what was learned from the original survey. But new insights have cast the findings of the old study in a new perspective, which will prove valuable for families not only of public school students, but also of private school students as well. 

The highlights of the new study will be presented by the team on Feb. 10, 2007 at the Grade School auditorium. The program is being hosted by the AGSPAC, the Parent Council of the Ateneo Grade School, and Ateneo alumni are being invited to this presentation. Copies of the book “Magaling ang Pinoy! How and Why Public School Students Achieve” published by the Ateneo Office of Research and Publications will be available for sale. 

Alumni who will attend for the first time on Feb. 10 will surely derive the same benefits from this session as those who attended the past sessions, and those who will attend a second time will gain deeper insight into practices they have since incorporated into their relationships with their children. 

A huge number of GS and HS parent participants are expected on that day. The capacity of the Ateneo Grade School Auditorium is 700. Alumni are urged to come early to ensure that they will have seats. 200 slots will be allocated for alumni. Seats will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.