Helping Students Thrive
We take a relationship-first approach that is backed by decades of data, and we have seen it work in K-12 schools of all kinds, all across the nation. The BARR Model helps educators better collaborate so they can more effectively understand their students as learners and people. Our system won’t change what children are being taught, or who is standing in front of the classroom, but how they’re supported in reaching their educational goals.
What BARR Families See
When our team talks with families about how their kids are doing after the school starts working with the BARR Model, the stories tumble out. The parents love how much more communication they’re getting from the educators, how much more specificity they see in what the educators know and notice about their child, and how collaborative the team of educators seems to be.
All of that is by design. The system works to empower educators to deliver more consistent support to students and their families. It is meant to help foster a stronger sense of belonging and connection across the school community. Families of all kinds share that their children become more engaged and feel more confident about going to school when the BARR Model is utilized. That is what it’s all about.
BARR improves standardized test scores in English and Math
BARR has more than 20 years of research demonstrating statistically significant improvements in 21 areas of academic performance, alongside well-being improvements for both students and teachers.
Testimonials
As a parent, I could clearly see that when my kids’ feelings began to shift about how they believed their teachers viewed them, their behavior improved. They began to try harder, [were] more engaged. They became eager to please their teachers and themselves.
Parent
Wyoming
As parents, we saw improvements in our children’s academic achievements that we didn’t even know were possible. Or necessary.
Parent
California
[My son] is a junior this year. He is in the National Honor Society, captain of the soccer team, captain of the wrestling team. All because of BARR.
Parent
Minnesota
Sample Lessons
We hear from so many BARR students who have favorite lessons that give them focused time to deepen the relationships they build in school, whether between their peers or with their teachers. We’re happy to share a couple of these lessons so you can get a sample of how your student might engage.
About BARR Center
Our expert staff are dedicated to the success of BARR schools nationwide, including onsite coaching visits and reports, weekly calls, and supporting educators and staff throughout their three-year implementation.
*In BARR’s i3 Scale-Up study, BARR significantly reduced chronic absenteeism. The rate of chronic absenteeism among ninth graders in the treatment group was 19 percent, compared to 22 percent in “business as usual” schools.
