Our high school has a PTO. I am not sure what all they do. I talked to the president here while back and she said they offer scholarships for Seniors whose parents are members. There are MANY organizations at our little school but this lady started the PTO when her son was a freshmen (now a Senior) and it has seemed to do well. One year they raised the money for the scholarship by having our favorite university basketball team to come and play. I heard the gym was packed.
My oldest daughter is in a school now that has grades 7-12, and almost 4000 students. We have a PTSA in place, but its annual budget is something like $30,000, which is about half of what the two (much smaller) elementary school PTA budgets are that I'm involved with. The PTSA does some of the same things that you see at the elementary level, like teacher appreciation and grounds beautification, but really no programs for students. All of the student programs (and fundraisers out the wazoo) seem to be covered by booster clubs--in addition to the sports booster, there's an academic booster club, a band/chorus booster club, a theatre booster club and an art booster club. There's a lot more parent involvement in the booster clubs than any of the PTSA stuff.
Originally posted by Catfrat: Our PTA at the High School level disbanded this past 2004-2005 school and a new parent organization started up. I get the impression that PTO's are typically K-8. What about high school parent organizations?
Hi Catfrat -
I think you'll find that high school parent organizations break about the same percentage PTO v PTA as the rest of the grade levels. The reason that you perhaps see so few high school PTOs is that there are far fewer high school PT-anythings than there are elementary or middle parent groups.
A lot of the parent involvement at the high school level breaks out by interest groups (band boosters, cheer parents, etc.), as opposed to whole school. That said, there's certainly nothings topping you from starting a PTO at the high school level. They're definitely out there.
You should look into becoming a PTSA
At the high school level it is a good idea...you get the students involved.
Problem with that level is that you are always competing for the parents attention with the boosters etc.
Our PTO covers K-6 but some of our members had a discussion this week with the jr/sr high principal about our becoming involved at that level. Before our next meeting, I'm hoping to find out if other PTO's follow through to the higher levels and what sort of involvement do you have. OUr "booster club" at the HS is preimarily involved with sports support. The principal would like to build on our PTO's success at getting parents involved, but we're all wondering how to do that at an older age level. Suggestions most welcome!
Our high school has a PTO but over the years it has basically turned into an academic recognition group. It is called an Academic booster club, you know like sport programs have boosters, this is geared for the academic part. I think it is hard for high schools because there are so many other activities that students take part in, meaning to come up with events that appeal to them is hard. I also get the sense that at the highschool level parents are not really given many opportunities to volunteer.
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
