Challenge Success

We take a systems-level approach to student well-being, engagement, and belonging—centered on student voice and sustainable change. Challenge Success partners with K-12 school communities to increase student well-being, engagement, and belonging. We believe that every child and adolescent deserves to lead a healthy and balanced life, have meaningful academic experiences, and to be valued for their unique assets, identities, and definition of success. Too many students are disengaged, chronically stressed, and yearning for support in school. Data from the Challenge Success-Stanford survey of middle and high school students shows that-The majority of students are struggling with their well-being and unhealthy stress -40% don’t feel they belong in their communities -87% are not fully engaged in their learning -Elevated concern for historically marginalized student populations, including students from socio-economically disadvantaged communities and students who identify as Black, Latino/a/x, or LGBTQ+ Our culture’s emphasis on grades, test scores, and rigid definitions of success often overshadows students’ well-being, contributing to unhealthy levels of stress, low levels of belonging, and disengagement. While the Covid-19 pandemic brought attention to the adolescent mental health crisis and lack of belonging and engagement in schools in a new way, these are persistent, systemic issues that require a robust, systemic response. Our approach is innovative, research-based, and equity-centered. Our year-long School Partnership equips school communities—including students, educators, and families—with the tools and data to build healthier, more equitable learning environments. Using our research-based SPACE framework and surveys, we help schools to-Surface and center student perspectives -Identify systemic barriers to well-being, engagement, and belonging -Implement sustainable changes