Encourage students to participate
My school offers multiple programs, incentives, and opportunities to ensure all students have a place and feel seen. They have classes, clubs, and extracurriculars that emphasize togetherness and identity. There are opportunities for growth and acceptance during after-school programs and throughout the school day.
However, I believe my school should do a better job of publicizing and encouraging students to pursue these opportunities. Students at my school can be skittish about participating in school-encouraged activities because they don’t want their peers to perceive them differently. These programs don’t achieve their full effect unless they are used, and my school is trying to find a way to encourage students to use the resources they have at school.
Ivy Grace Smith
12th grade | Cleburne High school | Cleburne, Texas
Share the options
My school has more than 75 clubs and programs (such as JROTC and numerous career and technical education paths). This allows any student to find a place where they fit in and where they enjoy being. My school has around 3,250 students. Coming from a middle school with a graduating class of 42 students, I was more than a little overwhelmed. Clubs and JROTC made me feel like I belonged.
One thing my school could do better is to be more vocal about all the different clubs and activities happening, because a lot of times students don’t know a club exists, when it is the perfect fit for them. In the end, they miss out on the amazing opportunity that was in front of them the whole time.
Calvin Plante
12th grade | Pinkerton Academy | Derry, New Hampshire
Help us find our group
My school makes sure students feel they belong by having different clubs and organizations for all different kinds of people. We also have many different opportunities for students to explore their interests so everyone can find the group they fit in with.
Sarah Steeves
12th grade | Appoquinimink High School | Middletown, Delaware
Embrace students’ cultures
My school has a diversity and inclusion program, and they host many events to make sure all students feel included and heard. I feel like they could have more events to promote more cultures. Being Hispanic, I feel like there are no groups for me here.
My school has a diversity and inclusion program, and they host many events to make sure all students feel included and heard. I feel like they could have more events to promote more cultures. Being Hispanic, I feel like there are no groups for me here.
Milan Aranda
Freshman | Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville, Missouri
Showcase student accomplishments
Ballard is a very diverse school and creates a welcoming environment for all of its students. Students can create any clubs or teams that fit their culture, personality, or identity — for example, the step team or the environmental club. One thing Ballard could do better is to showcase the accomplishments of its smaller clubs and teams as if they were mainstream sports.
Aniah Coleman
12th grade | Ballard High School | Louisville, Kentucky
Don’t depend on students alone
My school definitely makes attempts to make sure all students feel they belong, but I think they could do a lot better. For the most part, I think they depend on the students to make one another feel they belong! My school could have check-ins with students or do more activities that mix up groups of kids within the school. Just be more on top of encouraging everyone to give each other only kind and uplifting comments.
Elizabeth Kaufmann
11th grade | Sheboygan North High School | Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Value all activities
The thing that makes us feel like we belong the most at our school is the diverse number of activities beyond sports. We have fine arts, career and technical student organizations, intramural sports, clubs about everything from video games to books, and so much more. Because the school gives so many opportunities and options to students, all of the learners in my building are able to find a place where they can make friends and enjoy high school to the fullest. These organizations are where I discovered my passion for teaching and leadership with Educators Rising and so much more.
One thing my school could improve on, however, is the equal distribution of funding among these activities. So many groups in my school are unable to reach their fullest potential when so much of the funding for activities is allocated toward sports teams. By finding equal value in all of these groups, we can improve our high school experience and the memories of belonging we make for every student.
Katelyn Christopherson
11th grade | Harrisburg High School | Harrisburg, South Dakota
Be active
Our school prioritizes fostering a sense of belonging for all students through various means. Our resource office serves as a hub for support, where students can seek guidance and assistance. Additionally, teachers take on duty roles to ensure students feel safe and cared for throughout the day.
However, there’s always room for improvement. Strengthening communication channels between students and staff, implementing a more inclusive curriculum and activities, and actively addressing issues of diversity and inclusion could further enhance the sense of belonging at our school.
Shae’Aunna Johnson
12th grade | Many High School | Many, Louisiana
