Abstract
This study explored the core institutional strengths that underpin grit and resiliency within Philippine private schools. Private schools faced ongoing challenges such as economic constraints, policy changes, and societal disruptions, which threaten their resilience and ability to maintain high performance. This study holds vital significance for private school administrators and educational leaders as it provides valuable insights into the institutional strengths. It aimed to explore and understand the role of institutional strengths in fostering grit and resiliency through an Appreciative Inquiry approach, Guided by the 4D Model of Cresswell. Specifically, this study sought answers to the following questions: (1) What are the key institutional strengths and performativity related to grit and resilience observed in selected Philippine private schools? (2) How can the identified institutional strengths in grit, resilience, and other areas be leveraged to enhance overall institutional performativity in the Philippine private schools? (3) How can institutional policies and practices be redesigned to better support the cultivation of institutional strengths, including grit, resilience and improved performativity among stakeholders? (4) What are the long-term implications of integrating institutional strengths, including grit, resilience and performativity on stakeholders in Philippine private schools.? This study is multiple-case study utilizing Appreciative Inquiry as methodological framework that explored 8 different private schools. The data were collected through a combination of structured interviews, summits’ question and answer from the resource speakers and focus group discussions. The data gathered from 8 students, 8 teachers, 5 parents, and 1 school administrator with a total of 176 key informants for the purpose of understanding the perspectives experiences of the direct beneficiaries. The study conducted during a two-day summit yielded significant insights into the institutional strengths that foster grit and resiliency among stakeholders. This dissertation highlights the importance of fostering grit and resiliency as fundamental components of educational excellence.
