Case Study: Stamford Public Schools achieves increased parent engagement and higher PTA attendance with Hobsons' Naviance

Increasing Parent Engagement in Stamford, Connecticut

Stamford Public Schools, a Connecticut district serving nearly 16,000 students, faced low parent engagement and concerns from families—especially first-generation college-goers—about the cost and complexity of college planning. Limited staff time and outreach resources made it difficult to involve parents in their students’ postsecondary planning.

By using Naviance’s scholarship search tools and the Family Connection portal at PTA meetings and College Night, Stamford provided easy access to national and local scholarships, staged live demonstrations, and communicated directly with families via portal messages. The initiative boosted PTA attendance from about 10–15 parents to 45, increased ongoing parent involvement, reduced outreach costs, and helped level the playing field by making college planning resources more equitable and accessible.

Stamford Public Schools

Paula Ward

Curriculum Associate for Technology