Thought Piece: 5 Actionable Ways Schools Can Create Belonging

By: Bailey Rivera-Wymes

Creating a sense of belonging isn’t just a feel-good goal, it’s a data-driven strategy to improve student well-being, learning, and engagement.

Based on findings from What Does It Mean to Belong?: Listening to Youth Voices and our companion guide, 5 Data-Driven Suggestions for Education Sites, here are five actionable strategies for schools and youth programs to foster deeper belonging:

1. Foster Relationships Through Mentorship
Whether it's buddy systems for multilingual learners or teacher one-on-ones, relationships matter. Youth thrive when adults show they care and when peers support each other.

2. Make Language and Culture Visible
Offer multilingual signage, diverse literature, and cultural groups. One-size-fits-all approaches won’t work. Reflect the identities of your student body in both curriculum and culture.

3. Design Spaces That Feel Safe
From relaxation rooms to student-led clubs, youth need places where they feel physically and emotionally safe. Let students co-create these spaces.

4. Encourage Critical Dialogue
Have open discussions. Students want to talk about power, relationships, and belonging. Build these conversations into your curriculum and advisory time.

5. Build Belonging Through Shared Experiences
Sports, arts, clubs, and after-school programs offer powerful opportunities to connect. Make them low-barrier and inclusive so every student can participate and lead.

Belonging isn’t a trend or just a feeling. It’s a commitment. And it starts with listening and acting on what students share.

Read the full What Does it Mean to Belong?: Listening to Youth Voices report and the 5 Data-Driven Suggestions for Education Sites one-pager here.