The Impact of Connections: Building Belonging and Transforming School Culture
When students feel seen, heard, and supported, they thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. The Connections Program was designed to make that sense of belonging the norm rather than the exception, and the latest data show it’s working.
A Vote of Confidence from UW Researchers
During the summer of 2024, a research team from the University of Washington’s College of Education conducted a mixed‑methods evaluation of the Connections program.
They reviewed program documents, observed sessions in action, and administered a comprehensive survey completed by nearly every participant. The final report, released in the spring of 2025, provides the first independent look at how Connections shapes student experiences.
Key findings include:
- Friendship & Community– Most students joined to make new friends—and each reported success.
- Sense of Belonging– A strong majority felt they could be their authentic selves, and many explicitly said they “belonged here.”
- Instructor Impact– Nearly every respondent agreed that their instructor fostered an inclusive, positive environment.
- Engaging Learning– Field trips and community interviews stood out as highlights; several students singled out these off‑campus experiences.
- Recommendation Rate– Almost all participants were glad they took part and would recommend Connections to a friend.
The UW team also offered forward‑looking guidance: develop a shared, student‑friendly definition of belonging; set measurable goals for leadership growth and community impact; and enrich the curriculum with culturally sustaining content. These insights now anchor our work plan for the coming year, ensuring the program evolves without losing sight of what matters most—helping every student feel they truly belong.
What the 2024–25 Exit Tickets Reveal
Between October 2024 and April 2025 we gathered 308 student “exit‑ticket” surveys. Their responses echo—and even amplify—the UW findings:
- 97 % — felt included during Connections activities
- 93 % — reported stronger peer relationships
- 89 % — felt engaged by facilitators
- 84 % — overcame at least one personal challenge
Creating Spaces Where Every Student Belongs
Connections workshops and student-led activities begin the slow, sometimes difficult work of reshaping school culture—work that unfolds over multiple years yet is vital to achieving true equity.
By combining hands-on projects with honest dialogue, students learn how to welcome others and model the inclusive behaviors we want to see school-wide. Whether they’re painting a community mural, organizing a bowling meetup, or sharing a lunch‑time conversation, Crew members rehearse small acts of belonging that, repeated and refined across semesters, gradually weave equity into the fabric of school life.
