The youth-adult action team at Otter Valley Union Middle and High School spent this year in a powerful process of data reflection and school improvement planning, grounded in the belief that youth voice is essential to meaningful change. Along the way, the team examined the Fall 2024 Panorama Student Experience Survey data, focusing on school safety, belonging, and climate, and used this data as a springboard for deep dialogue and shared goal setting.

While the team acknowledged that some scores reflect more room for growth, they also celebrated the notable progress made since 2023. This upward trend in the data mirrored students’ and staff’s lived experiences: things are getting better, and that momentum is something to build on together. 

After analyzing the data, the group looked closely at the Otter Valley School Growth Plan to identify points of overlap between school-wide goals and what matters most to students. What emerged was a clear and shared priority: both students and staff want to address disruptive and challenging behavior in ways that are relationship-centered and grounded in strong behavioral support systems. There was a unified sense of motivation to take this on as a community.

From this shared goal, the team generated a set of actionable ideas that they believe will meaningfully improve student behavior by promoting a stronger, more connected school culture. For instance, the team believes that a more engaging, student-centered advisory program is critical to fostering belonging and connection. When advisory time is meaningful, both students and teachers show up with more enthusiasm, and peer respect grows through activities that build trust across differences. Moreover, the team is interested in experiencing an increase in field trips, service learning, and nature-based experiences to take learning beyond the confines of a classroom. These moments outside the classroom offer powerful opportunities to build relationships, connect learning to real life, and support students’ social-emotional development. As one student put it: “When we’re outside or doing something real, we remember why we care.” 

With these ideas in mind, the team turned to Otter Valley’s “Team of Teams” map to identify adult allies and school-based groups with whom they hope to collaborate. They reached out to these teams, requested time to meet, and shared their thinking for possible paths forward. These conversations paved inroads for future youth-adult partnership. For example, the school is looking at piloting an advisory model in which planning and facilitation of advisory is shared between youth and adults. Moreover, instructional leaders are now using a student-developed template to identify opportunities for more outside experiences (field trips, guest speakers, etc) to integrate in their curriculum.  

This initiative represents a growing commitment at Otter Valley to student-driven change and authentic youth-adult partnership. By connecting data to lived experience and translating those insights into actionable plans, the team is working to create a school culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and ready to thrive.

As this work continues, Otter Valley is setting a clear example: when students are empowered to lead, and when adults are willing to listen and collaborate, schools become stronger communities for all.