Caring Schools Programs
Transform your school into a community where every student knows they belong.
Educators know that great schools provide a caring, connected culture where every student feels cared for—by teachers and staff and by other students.
Easier said than done, though, right?
We get it.
We’re educators ourselves and we know how hard it can be. And, decades of research partnering with schools has shown us: creating caring schools IS possible.
CARING SCHOOLS PROGRAMS
MCC’s Caring Schools Network and Programs gives schools all they need to create caring school communities:
Evidence-based lessons and community building practices that work seamlessly within existing programs.
A collaborative virtual community of like-minded leaders to share learnings, address challenges, and grow professionally.
Easy-to-use guides for school leaders, parents, and students to easily implement Caring Schools Programs in their schools.
Caring Schools NETWORK
Join the Caring Schools Network to access all CSN lessons, consultation, and community of support for the 2026-27 school year.
STUDENTS for Caring Schools
Create a Students for Caring Schools Club to provide lessons, activities, and guidance that empower middle and high students to lead their own community-building projects.
PARENTS for Caring Schools
Start a Parents for Caring Schools program at your school to create a K-6 community of parents of students who (with MCC’s help) facilitate monthly lessons in your elementary school.
The Caring Schools Network provides K-12 educators and school leaders with the resources to:
Help students build stronger relationships with each other and with school adults
Strengthen students’ social, emotional, and ethical capacities
Reduce bullying and harassment
Support students to succeed academically
As a member of the Caring Schools Network, you’ll school will receive:
Over 50 engaging weekly lessons to lead throughout the school year
A library of community building activities, games, and classroom routines to help build trust and strengthen relationships early in the school year
A detailed implementation plan including a scope and sequence
A community webinar series where MCC provides guidance and support for all participating educators
Two relationship mapping resources to strategically ensure that every student has at least one positive and trusting relationship with a school adult and peer
Parent and caregiver resources to deepen the learning at home
A student survey and report to understand student needs and inform improvement
Opportunities for students to connect with students from other CSN schools
Program Costs
(50% off for Title 1 schools)
$2,450: K-5 or 6-12 resources and support
$3,250: K-12 resources and support
$9,000: Private monthly consultation with MCC
Time commitment
as little as 30 minutes per week
Set up a time to meet with a Making Caring Common Team member to join the Caring Schools Network.
Review the CSN overview, scope and sequence, and sample lesson plans:
Grades K-5
Grades 6-12
Students for Caring Schools provides lessons and guidance to create a student-led club that builds stronger relationships and a more connected community throughout a school.
When students themselves create opportunities for connection and meaningful relationships in their school, fellow students participate and engage more deeply in their classrooms and the school as a whole.
Students for Caring Schools program provides student leaders with the resources, activities, and guidance to support them in their efforts to create more caring schools and improve peer relationships.
Students (and the educators supporting them) will:
Join other students from around the country in a series of webinars to learn how to create a club and recruit students.
Walk through a detailed implementation plan to start a Students for Caring Schools club.
Receive engaging scripted lessons and community building activities designed to be led by students.
Engage students to better understand their experiences through empathy interviews, focus groups, and a student survey.
Program Cost
$500: All students in your club (50% off for Title 1 schools)
Time commitment
1-2 hours per month for faculty advisors and student leaders
Set up a time to meet with a Making Caring Common Team member to join Students for Caring Schools.
Parents for Caring Schools equips elementary school parents and caregivers to teach engaging lessons that help create a more caring and connected school and classroom community.
Research shows that parent involvement in school leads to improved student achievement and social-emotional outcomes. Parents for Caring Schools provides a way for schools to empower their greatest partners: parents.
Parents and caregivers who join Parents for Caring School directly lead lessons for students, helping children learn to treat others with kindness, expand their circle of care, understand their emotions, and feel a stronger sense of belonging at school. As parents lead, they also help reduce the overall burden on teachers by partnering with them to create more caring communities in their schools.
Parents who join will:
Receive 10 scripted lessons designed to be led in the classroom by parents.
Participate in a short monthly webinar from August 2026 - May 2027
Be guided and supported by MCC to work with school leaders to recruit other parents to lead one lesson each month.
What should I do before I sign up?
If you plan to lead these lessons at your child’s elementary school, you should request permission from a school leader before you sign up using the link below. Here is an email that you can use to start the conversations with your school leader.
If you plan to lead these lessons outside of school, you can sign up now using the link below!
Program Costs
(50% off for Title 1 schools)
$500 — all lessons and implementation guide
$5,000 — monthly consultation meetings with MCC (optional)
Time commitment
One hour per month
Set up a time to meet with a Making Caring Common Team member to join Parents for Caring Schools.
VIDEO: Third Street Elementary
Watch the video below to hear how parents at Third Street Elementary deepen their engagement and involvement in their school, teachers receive a break as parents lead lessons, and students feel the impact as their school becomes a kinder, more caring place!
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If you'd like to join any of these programs, but are unable to afford the cost, please email caringschools@makingcaringcommon.org to learn more about scholarship opportunities and discounts or click here to schedule a call with us.