Independent Schools Seek Ways To Strengthen Community Ties

New York

As transience and mistrust erode much of America's historic sense of community, and as parents act more like consumers in choosing what's best for their children, efforts by schools to build meaningful relationships with families become both more difficult and more important.

Trying to meet that challenge was a major subject for many of the 4,700 educators who met here last month for the National Association of Independent Schools' annual conference. Built around the theme "A Matter of Trust: Family/School Partnerships," the Feb. 25-28 gathering focused on ensuring that schools are welcoming to all members of their communities, including parents, girls and...