Evidence-based practices that reduce racial disproportionality and improve student achievement
Unique, actionable strategies that build students’ self-confidence to
succeed in school and positive, supportive peer relationships.
OUR PARTNERS
Our results have inspired some great organizations to partner with us
We understand the challenges in schools today
- Your school is (or is close to being) identified for disproportionality
- The achievement gap between black and white students has widened
- Behavioral problems are increasing, and you are out of options
- You’re increasingly overwhelmed with each new curriculum and initiative
- Relationships between students, teachers, families, and the school are strained
YOU HAVE MUCH OF WHAT YOU
NEED ALREADY
Our experience has shown that solutions exist within your school already. By bringing everyone together, we strengthen and stabilize relationships within the student body, between students and staff, and between families and the school. This lets us identify and leverage what’s already working, creating tangible and sustained changes that last into the future.
Can you imagine:
- A healthy school community - students, families, and staff
- Students who support each other’s successes
- Fewer conflicts and disruptions in classrooms
- Improved student attendance and grades
- Students returned to general education classes
- Teachers focused on teaching and mentoring
Our programs let teachers do their best work
Schools start with our Equity Solutions Action Plan (ESAP). All of our programs, including the ESAP, are evidence-based and combine our academic and real-world experience. They are typically eligible for funding using existing sources.
Equity Solutions Action Plan (ESAP)
You must act fast if you’ve been (or are close to being) identified for disproportionality. Our ESAP includes a Root Cause Analysis and much more. We engage your staff, students, and their families to identify the critical issues. You receive an Action Plan to begin using immediately, or to transition your school into the Flagship Natural Circles Program.
- Root Cause Analysis
- Student, family, and staff engagement
- Validated theory of change
- Action Plan
Flagship Natural Circles Program
Schools experiencing persistent behavioral problems or low student performance need comprehensive support. Our multi-year Natural Circles Program starts with the Action Plan developed during the ESAP. Then we implement weekly mentoring circles, surface existing assets, and build on their strengths.
- Immediate student engagement
- Implementation of Natural Circles Process
- Professional learning for staff
Professional Learning
Staff are the backbone of a school. Our professional development empowers staff to implement our evidence-based approach. Our training was created specifically for support staff’s needs and is based on years of working directly with them.
- Tools to work with students
- Training specific to support staff
- Implement the Natural Circles approach
SEE ALL SERVICES
Reduce teacher overwhelm and increase student engagement.
We meet with your team, discuss funding options, collaborate on a program design, and implement and evaluate.
Our reputation speaks for itself
“[Natural] Circles of Support…has been very positive for my son. I have seen my son grow this past year. He’s getting along better with his peers. He’s not frustrated when he gets home from school. He tells me how he’s learned to talk about problems and issues if they arise. I know he looks forward to helping people in life.”
Parent
Racine, WI
“Expanding our partnership with NCOS to grow beyond our existing NCOS Student Circles and into cocreative, sustainable, systemic change is vital to the health of our students and our entire school community. The work of this project is the essential work of the District.”
Andrew Briddell, Ph.D.
McFarland School District Superintendent of Schools
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The Natural Circles difference
Our unique perspectives have informed the Natural Circles of Support approach. As a result, we're meaningfully different from other approaches in several ways, including:
- We believe schools are rich in resources. Our evidence-based programs help identify those resources and build on them.
- We don't compete with existing programs. Our approach is complementary and can enhance other efforts.
- We value the entire school community and incorporate student and family voices in our programs.
- Our strength is asking deep, probing questions that expose the underlying issues at the root of a school's problems.
Reduce teacher overwhelm and increase student engagement.
We meet with your team, discuss funding options, collaborate on a program design, and implement and evaluate.