7-Steps for Building Belonging in Schools

Driven by migration and demographic change, this is the most diverse generation of students in U.S. history. Communities thrive when schools nurture a sense of belonging among young people and their families. The inverse is also true. Communities suffer when schools do not meet the needs of their students.

We suggest seven steps that schools and school staff can take to build belonging in a world on the move.

Build Trusting Relationships
Know students as people
Recognize strengths
Learn about students’ communities
Share migration stories
Self-reflect on biases

Ensure Safety & Inclusion
Address discrimination and bullying directly
Communicate norms and expectations
Ensure policies directly address immigrant youth

Make Diversity Visible
Honor diverse identities & languages
Ensure school rituals, routines, and the physical environment are responsive to the student population
Develop culturally relevant curriculum

Reinforce High Expectations
Build on existing cultural strengths & fonts of knowledge
Ensure all students access to core content
Encourage civic engagement for all
Use responsive assessment

Offer Support Without Stigma
Create alliance clubs
Offer language support
Provide emotional and social support
Ensure accessibility of resources and services

Celebrate Family Engagement
Bring the community together
Involve immigrant families and communities
Help parents navigate the school system
Use community resources to enhance learning

Make Migration a Lens for Understanding
Explore how migration shapes our world
Trace patterns that shape and respond to demographic change
Investigate how migration impacts innovation and opportunity