Parent Academy

By:  Steven Eggers. Co-authors: Maria Teresea Soto, Araceli Ponce, Diana Campos
School:  John F. Kennedy The American School Of Queretaro

At JFK, we have been exploring how to strengthen the connection between classroom learning and what happens at home. This led to the creation of our Parent Academy, an initiative designed not only to inform parents, but to equip them. Through a series of workshops tailored from preschool through high school, we focus on helping families understand how and why we approach learning the way we do (academically, socially, and behaviorally) while also providing them with practical strategies to support these efforts at home. The goal is simple: to align school and home so we are working together toward the same outcomes for students.

One of the most meaningful aspects of the Parent Academy is that parents take on the role of learners themselves. During sessions, they actively engage with the same types of strategies their children use in the classroom, experiencing firsthand what learning looks like in practice. This not only builds understanding, but also confidence in how to reinforce those approaches at home. Over time, this shared experience has started to shift conversations and strengthen the partnership between families and teachers, creating a more consistent and intentional support system for students.

The Parent Academy has become more than a program; it is a step toward building a community where learning is shared. By developing a common language and a clearer sense of purpose, we are seeing families and educators work together in more meaningful ways; ultimately supporting student growth both in and beyond the classroom.