Nurturing a culture of belonging at Eden Prairie High School

An encouraging postcard from a former teacher. An acknowledgment of strength — both mental and physical — during Ramadan fasting. A personalized learning experience. These were all things that staff members had done to make students at Eden Prairie High School feel like they belonged. It was a sunny Friday morning, and EPHS teachers were gathered in the Performing Arts Center to listen to a student panel on belonging as part of a professional development day. Five Eagles sat on stage and discussed what belonging meant to them.

“It felt like people really cared about what we had to say,” said 12th grader Nawal Abdullahi, who sat on the panel, about the experience. “While I was talking, I felt like [the teachers] were kind of nodding. They really understood what I was trying to say.”

“What does ‘belonging’ mean to you?” and “When do you feel most connected to the school community?” were just a few of the questions floated to the panel. Collectively, students talked about moments when teachers reached out to make connections beyond academics, the importance of feeling seen and listened to, and how little interactions could make lasting impacts.

For 12th grader Mariel Cortes, being able to share real examples with teachers was a valuable opportunity. And having the chance to express her experiences — especially as a high school student — gave her a sense of confidence that her voice was worth being heard. “It sets the expectation that I should be able to voice my opinion when I can, when I feel something isn’t right or when I like something. Getting to do a panel and seeing the reception it got, for me, sets the expectation that I can move forward and share my voice elsewhere and it can also be received just as well or in a welcoming space.”

For the staff at EPHS, this is all an important part of fostering students’ sense of belonging both within and outside of the classroom. “Student voice is essential to our work in creating deep belonging at EPHS,” said Lomumba Ismail, associate principal at EPHS. “Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences, each with a story worth hearing.” It was a sentiment that 11th grader Ruwaida Warsame, another panelist, agreed with. “Everyone there had the mutual understanding that we’re all here to better ourselves and listen to this,” she said of the discussion.

Ultimately, creating and nurturing a sense of belonging has a significant impact on student success. “Research consistently shows that students who feel connected to their school community attend more regularly, demonstrate stronger engagement and behavior, and are more likely to graduate,” Ismail said. “This understanding drives our work at EPHS, reflected in our professional learning, in how we build relationships, and in the ways we show up for students each day. Our goal that every student experiences joyful learning and deep belonging and rises to meaningful challenges guides all that we do and keeps students at the center of our practice.” Student panels will continue to be a consistent part of staff meetings, furthering the work of grounding staff learning in authentic student experiences.

After the panel that morning, teachers gathered in small groups to discuss what they learned and create their own commitments to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment for all students. A large “You Belong Here” poster now hangs in the media center, displaying teachers’ written commitments. “I will model kindness, patience and curiosity”; “I will intentionally connect with each student about non-academic things on a regular basis,” read some of the messages. For Ismail, it’s a visible reminder of EPHS’s collective effort to build community and see one another’s humanity.

As for the future of work to continue fostering a sense of belonging at EPHS? “It makes me happy to know that it’s happening in the school,” said 12th grader and panelist Augustus “Gus” Jacobson. “I have a little sister, and so it’s kind of nice to hear that this is happening because I hope her experience can be better than what I had. Obviously, I had a great experience here, but it’s always better if something can build on itself.”