Caring Schools Network
Building community. Caring for others. Creating a more just world.
The Caring Schools Network (CSN) is a K-12 school program developed by experts at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and educators nationwide. The CSN empowers K - 12 schools with the tools they need to cultivate community, caring, and a more just world.
The 2024-25 Caring Schools Network offers:
Easy-to-implement resources. CSN schools have access to a library of evidence-based lessons and classroom activities that are simple for teachers to implement throughout the school year.
A focus on caring, community, and student mental health. Our program focuses on the foundations for strong academic and social growth.
Support for your school-wide efforts to increase cooperation; improve student relationships and mental health; reduce challenging behaviors; improve academic outcomes; and reduce bullying, harassment, and chronic absenteeism.
A Harvard built, educator tested approach. The CSN was created by professors at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and educators from across the country. Our program is grounded in the latest research from the field and feedback from students and teachers about what’s most relevant for schools today.
Support + community. You’ll take part in a community support and implementation webinar series with guidance from Harvard staff and time to problem-solve with CSN schools from across the country.
Contact
Michael McLaughlin
caringschools@makingcaringcommon.org
How does the CSN work?
Our Caring Schools Network for K-12 schools uses a three-phase approach to cultivate community, caring, and a more just world. Each year, the program begins with fun, relationship-building activities that help students connect with their classmates. Next, the program equips students with the tools to understand and care for others, including those from different backgrounds. Towards the end of the academic year, the focus shifts to activities that support students in understanding and pursuing justice. Throughout the program, the CSN provides educators with resources on understanding and promoting student mental health.
6 - 12 Strategies Include
Community Building Activities and Games
Everyday Caring
Listening Deeply
Humans of Your School
Circle of Care
Everyday Gratitude
Take a Stand
Understanding Identity
Talking Across Difference
Deconstructing Stereotypes
Understanding Justice: Awareness to Action
K - 5 Strategies Include
Community Building Activities and Games
Inspiring Kindness
Listening Deeply
Humans of Your School
Circle of Care
Everyday Gratitude
Navigating Emotions
Understanding Identity
Understanding Justice: Building a Justice Mindset
Understanding Justice: Awareness to Action
What the research says
Research shows the importance that students place on caring for their learning and school engagement (Smylie, Murphy, & Louis, 2020). For instance, students say that when they don’t feel cared for they don’t care as much about school. In contrast, caring helps students develop positive outcomes like cooperation, self-esteem, a sense of belonging, and the capacity for resilience.
Empathy is positively associated with prosocial behaviors and positive social and academic functioning (for a review, see Spinrad & Eisenberg, 2009).
The capacity for empathy can be developed through simple interventions and strategies (see Weisz & Zaki, 2017 for a review). While other research-based programs target skills like identifying feelings and social cues as well as considering others’ perspectives (Weissbourd et al., 2013), the Caring Schools Network also aims to motivate young people to care about others’ feelings and perspectives and to be intentional about the ways in which they can express empathy or caring.
Options & pricing
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What's included?
1. CSN Resource Library:
50+ lessons for grades K-5 and 6-12 and 20+ extension activities
20+ community building activities
10+ games
2 relationship mapping tools
Educator toolkit to support teen mental health
2. CSN Support + Community Webinar Series: Five webinars for your school leaders and educators focused on:
Support with implementation: Our team will provide guidance as you progress through the year.
Expert advice on pressing topics: Experts will share the latest research on creating caring school communities, improving student relationships, and supporting student mental health.
Time to connect, collaborate, and problem-solve with other CSN schools from across the country.
3. Student Connection Program: Opportunity for students to connect with and practice bridging skills with students from other schools in the Caring Schools Network.
4. Aligned parent resources to deepen the work at home.
5. A short, simple student survey to understand student needs, track progress, and inform improvement.
K-5 or 6-12: $2,950 ($950 for Title 1 schools)
K-8 or K-12: $3,950 ($1,450 for Title 1 schools)
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What's included?
A more detailed school climate survey and report as well as an additional webinar to support report understanding, analysis, and action.
K - 5 or 6 - 12: $950*
K - 8 or K - 12: $1,250*
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What's included?
The Direct Support option includes the annual CSN membership and the advanced survey, in addition to:
Four small group conversations with Dr. Rick Weisbourd and other industry experts on school mental health, bridging differences, empathy, and more. Ability to invite parents/educators.
Six consulting check-ins with MCC staff to support your school needs and implementation.
K - 5 or 6 - 12: $9,900*
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District pricing
We offer discounts to districts that want several schools to join CSN. Please email caringschools@makingcaringcommon.org for more details.
Is cost a barrier?
We want our offerings to be accessible by all school communities. Email caringschools@makingcaringcommon.org if the cost is a barrier for your school, and we’d be happy to work together to find a solution.
