Why Family–School Connections Matter

As a parent, or soon-to-be parent, it is paramount to acknowledge the transformative power of collaboration between families and schools. Perhaps this truth has never really crossed your mind. Perhaps it has, even so you're interested in diving deeper. 

Each school has their own ethos. Nonetheless, fostering creative and respectful global problem solvers prepared for the real world is a shared thread amongst schools in Indonesia. This ultimately elicits holistic growth that extends beyond the classroom. No child would be dismissed from an environment where home and school reinforce one another either.

Children profoundly thrive when home and school work in sync. When parents and educators share a sense of purpose and remain equally engaged in a child’s growth, the results are consistently positive and lasting. The family–school connection can take many forms: parents value learning at home, families who intentionally choose a school that reflects their beliefs, as well as schools that actively invite parents to participate as true partners. Regardless of how it takes shape, this partnership almost always leads to student success.

Greater parental involvement enhances relationships between teachers and parents, reinforcing learning at home. Meaningful parental involvement plays a critical role in this process. Attending music and arts performances, family nights, or cheering at sporting events, for instance, project participation that extends to a powerful message to children: education matters, and home and school are partners in their development.

Do you think it is the school's responsibility to cultivate this sense of belonging? If you reckon yes, you'll realise that schools build trust and foster a sense of shared purpose since the welcoming, informing, and empowering essences linger in the air. This foundation of trust therefore enriches the entire school community in becoming more resilient and better equipped to support every student’s journey.

Schools, too, carry the responsibility of ensuring that events and initiatives are purposeful, welcoming, and valuable for families. Finding time for such engagement can be challenging — it's nothing to be ashamed of. Yet, when parents feel that their involvement truly matters, the partnership between home and school grows stronger and more rewarding for everyone involved.

Because when families are engaged, teachers gain deeper insights into each student’s strengths, interests, and cultural background — enabling them to tailor their teaching to reflect those experiences. Therefore, strong school–family relationships don’t happen by chance — they must be nurtured with care and intention by both parents and educators.

At its core, the power of education is deeply personal. Education is the key to opportunity and growth enabling students as lifelong learners ready to embrace the world with confidence, curiosity, and compassion.
 

Read also: Supporting Adolescent Wellbeing in Schools