10 Effective ideas for strengthening student-school connectedness

When students feel they belong, everything changes. They don’t just feel welcomed at school—they can thrive. A kind word or supportive classmate can be the difference between a student simply showing up and getting through their day, and them feeling fulfilled and engaged while at school. 

School connectedness is the deep sense that teachers, staff, and peers genuinely care about students as people, not just learners. Since the pandemic, students are more disconnected than ever. Even today, too many are struggling with mental health, stress, and trauma, making school feel less like a safe haven and more like something they’re just trying to survive. 

Fortunately, schools have an opportunity to make a difference and help include all their students. Keep reading to discover good ideas for high school connectedness that you can implement to ensure the students in your school are connected and supported.  

Why school connectedness matters

School connectedness is more than a “nice-to-have.” It can be the difference between a student feeling lost and one who feels seen, heard, empowered, and valued. There’s a wealth of research that supports the importance of schools promoting student connectedness​, including:

• Academic performance, attendance, and motivation: When students feel connected, they’re more likely to succeed. Students who demonstrate strong school connectedness overwhelmingly have higher grades and better attendance rates. They’re also far more likely to graduate.
• Emotional well-being and mental health: For struggling students, a sense of student belonging can be as important as their academic intervention plan. High school connectedness results in reduced rates of depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide.
• Reduced dropout rates and behavioral risk: Connected students report feeling less likely to engage in risky behaviors like drug use, violence, and gang involvement. They also have a lower risk of dropping out and tend to get into trouble less.
• Factor for lifelong success: School connectedness has a lasting impact on relationships and mental health as adults.

10 Actionable strategies to boost school connectedness

With the research-backed, practical ideas here, you can help build a sense of belonging in your school. Encouraging student connectedness across classrooms, schools, and districts is crucial for success in school and in life.

1. Create student advisory groups or peer mentor programs

Advisory groups and peer mentor programs offer more than just a support network to students. They build resilience and empower kids to share their challenges. They also make resources accessible in ways that are more comfortable than approaching an adult might be.

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS
“Students often care more about what their peers say than adults. So if there is a way that peers can offer a safe environment for self expression then any student who feels like maybe they do not belong would benefit from peer-based groups.”}
_{- Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement}

2. Encourage teacher-student relationship building beyond academics

Research shows that healthy, positive relationships with teachers and school staff can increase student motivation, engagement, and self-esteem.

When strong teacher-student relationships are built on trust and respect, it creates classroom and school environments where students truly believe that they matter. It’s more meaningful and genuine to ask students how they’re doing, rather than just inquiring about how their work is progressing. For example, you might check in with a student who’s having a tough day and share a little bit about challenges you’ve faced in the past. You can also attend extracurricular and sporting events to connect with students.

3. Celebrate student identity through inclusive events

When students enter a space where their traditions and life experiences are celebrated, it reinforces how much they matter. Schools should host inclusive events such as Heritage Months, LGBTQIA+ Pride events, and neurodiversity celebrations. 

Find opportunities that validate experiences—you can listen to songs, share traditions, showcase art, or use storytelling to ensure that students feel included. Celebrating individual identities helps break the cycle of invisibility that’s so damaging.

4. Integrate SEL into the classroom

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a foundation for thriving students and schools. Bringing emotional awareness and empathy into everyday lessons helps students build healthy relationships for the rest of their lives.

SEL programs do more than just improve social-emotional skills. They’re effective for enhancing academic performance, promoting positive behavior, and encouraging well-being. They also offer sustained long-term positive impacts. Studies show that SEL programs and teacher support can effectively help students learn to manage:

• High levels of stress
• Conflict resolution
• Self-awareness
• Social awareness
• Goals
• Self-regulation
• Compassion

5. Provide meaningful roles for students 

Giving students leadership roles creates a sense of purpose that benefits them for years. Responsibilities can range from designing a mural to serving on leadership teams to tutoring peers. Studies have found that offering meaningful roles increases student connectedness and promotes academic and personal success.

6. Enhance classroom engagement with voice and choice in learning

It’s challenging for students to engage in their learning if they don’t believe their perspective is valued. Offering students autonomy and giving them options lets them see school as a safe place for growth and discovery. 

You can give students choices about what they read, how they want to demonstrate mastery, or which project or assignment they’re interested in pursuing. Voice and choice in the classroom increase engagement and critical thinking skills and build students’ confidence.

7. Provide mental health support to students

Supporting student mental health in schools is essential today. When students know help is available, school can become a sanctuary, even if their lives are in turmoil. 

According to recent studies, 40% of students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Mental health services like counseling and on-demand therapy for students from platforms like Talkspace can become a lifeline. They remind students their mental well-being matters.

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS
“When students are offered mental health services from the school, it sends a message that student mental health matters. When students feel like they matter to the school, that contributes to feelings of connectedness.”}
_{- Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement}

8. Design welcoming school environments 

When schools have welcoming environments and inclusive classrooms, it signals to students that they’re in a safe space. Emotionally supportive places help students feel valued. Look for ways to make your school more welcoming by asking:

• Is there natural light?
• Are there quiet spaces students can use when they need a break?
• Is student work displayed in hallways?
• Are there sensory-friendly areas?
• Do we have gender inclusive restrooms?
• Are school values visibly displayed?
• Are behavior expectations clearly communicated?
• Is diversity celebrated through signage, artwork, flags, and words that represent a variety of cultures and identities? 

^{EXPERT INSIGHTS
“When students feel that they are welcome, no matter who they are, that helps them to feel like they belong. So, anyway a school can convey that all students are welcome and safe will foster psychological safety.”}
_{- Laura Magnuson, MA, MS, LAMFT, VP of Clinical Engagement}

9. Offer clubs and extracurriculars with wide appeal and accessibility

Extracurricular activities and clubs should be more than after-school fun. They’re an opportunity to connect kids with others who share their passions. They can spark friendships and help create an identity that’s not academically aligned. 

Make sure activities are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, background, or financial resources. The connections made outside of the traditional academic platform can make all the difference for students, helping them build resilience and find motivation.

10. Use student surveys and feedback to shape school culture initiatives

It can be challenging to build a sense of belonging and student connectedness if you don’t know what students want or need. Use surveys, focus groups, and anonymous feedback forms to understand students’ experiences. These tools can provide powerful insights and help you identify gaps and generate ideas to fill them. 

Listening to students shows that you value their voice, and responding helps close the loop so students feel like they have a partner at school.

Create a culture of connection and care

There’s an intrinsic link between emotional safety and academic success. Schools must acknowledge that when students feel emotionally safe and connected, they’re more likely to trust teachers, counselors, and peers and succeed.

Implementing strategies isn’t always enough, though. Schools need to create an all-encompassing, caring culture to drive transformation. They must prioritize mental health as a crucial and central part of school connectedness and offer services to students. Small actions can help you build a healthy climate where all students feel like they belong. 

Partnering with Talkspace can add a valuable layer of support that promotes connectedness throughout your school. Request a demo today to learn how you can make a lasting change in your school.

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Sources:

1. Bowerman, Matthew. 2025. “Balancing Physical Security with Emotional Safety in Schools.” National Association of Elementary School Principals. January 11, 2025. https://www.naesp.org/resource/balancing-physical-security-with-emotional-safety-in-schools/. Accessed July 23, 2025.
2. “Evidence for Social and Emotional Learning in Schools.” 2023. Learning Policy Institute. March 6, 2023. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/evidence-social-emotional-learning-schools-report. Accessed July 23, 2025.
3. Radz, Tom. 2025. “The Importance of Voice and Choice for Students.” Pardes Jewish Day School. January 28, 2025. https://www.pardesschool.org/the-importance-of-voice-and-choice-for-students/. Accessed July 23, 2025.
4. Raniti, Monika. 2025. “School Connectedness May Protect Against Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents.” National Elf Service. January 24, 2025. https://www.nationalelfservice.net/mental-health/suicide/school-connectedness-suicide/. Accessed July 23, 2025.
5. “School Connectedness.” 2014. American Psychological Association. 2014. https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/programs/safe-supportive/school-connectedness. Accessed July 23, 2025.
6. “School Connectedness Helps Students Thrive.” 2024. Reducing Health Risks Among Youth. November 18, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/youth-behavior/school-connectedness/index.html. Accessed July 23, 2025.
7. Szabó, Lilla, Anikó Zsolnai, and Anikó Fehérvári. 2024. “The Relationship Between Student Engagement and Dropout Risk in Early Adolescence.” International Journal of Educational Research Open 6 (January): 100328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2024.100328. Accessed July 23, 2025.
8. Thornton, Gregory, Rachael Orr, Julia Michaels, Jim Spain, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, University of Missouri-Columbia, Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities, et al. 2024. “Peer Mentoring for Student Success.” Powered by Publics Eastern Cluster. https://www.aplu.org/wp-content/uploads/Cluster-9-Peer-Mentoring-Report-v2.pdf. Accessed July 23, 2025.
9. Wang, Xue. 2023. “Exploring Positive Teacher-student Relationships: The Synergy of Teacher Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence.” Frontiers in Psychology 14 (November). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1301786. Accessed July 23, 2025.

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