What Connections Crew Students Told Us About Belonging and Learning

We recently interviewed Connections Crew students to better understand a question many people understandably ask: does Connections help students academically?

We were careful not to assume the answer. Connections is not a tutoring program, and we do not want to over-claim.

So we asked students directly how, if at all, the program affected their approach to school, learning, classes, assignments, teachers, and academic goals.

What we heard was clear and encouraging.

Students did not simply say they “felt good” in the program. They described real changes in how they show up at school.

Several said Connections helped them become more confident speaking up, asking for help, working in groups, participating in class, talking with teachers, staying engaged when school felt difficult, and helping peers who were struggling.

One student described becoming more comfortable contributing in college-level group work. Another said Connections made it easier to reach out for academic help and to offer support to classmates. Another connected the confidence gained through Connections to improved focus, problem-solving, passing classes, and being someone others could rely on.

The lesson is important: Connections supports academics by strengthening the human conditions that make learning possible.

When students feel known, included, and capable they are more likely to participate, ask questions, collaborate, take risks, seek help instead of struggling alone, and support their peers’ learning as well.

That is not the same as claiming Connections directly raises grades for every student.

But the interviews showed something powerful: belonging is not separate from learning.

For these students, it helped open the door to learning.