School Counseling

Luann Burrows, Upper School Counselor

A Sense of Belonging at Home and School

In early childhood and throughout life, relationships are crucial to a sense of belonging. A healthy sense of belonging shapes who children are and who they will become. It is vital that children feel like valued members of their families and school community.

Every person longs to have a space where they are safe, where they are loved, and where they are at peace. For many, the word that best desribes this safe haven is the word "home." Kids of all ages need reminders that "you are loved just the way you are." Unconditional love, acceptance, and encouragement give children the confidence to feel they belong. According to Mark Gregston of Parenting Today's Teens, "You need to nurture your teen's sense of belonging at home. Otherwise, your kids will look for it in all the wrong places, regardless of the cost." That is a scary thought, for sure.

Although a sense of belonging starts at home, a sense of belonging at school is equally important. Feeling a sense of acceptance, respect, inclusion, and support in a learning environment leads to academic success. A recent study published by Pediatrics confirmed this notion revealing that youth who feel strong family and school connectedness are 66 percent less likely to experience longterm health risks into adulthood, including mental health, violence, sexual behavior, and substance abuse.

Beyond its implications for mental health, belonging plays a specific role in education. Stanford researchers found that belonging at school positively affects engagement, behavior, and academic performance. Teacher-student and peer relationships move to the forefront throughout the middle and high school years.

John Hattie's Visible Learning research synthesized findings from 1,600+ meta-analyses of 95,000+ studies involving 300 million students. He found that teacher-student relationships, school climate, and sense of belonging contribute meaningfully to accelerating academic success.

Sagemont Prep, a student-driven school where students have the privilege of voice and choice, provides an abundance of opportunities to create a sense of belonging. Students are involved in sports, an endless number of clubs, opportunities for entrepreneurship, and many more options for engagement, as they learn to follow their passions.