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As school choice policies and charter schools continue to rise across the United States, it is essential to examine what techniques these schools implement and their impact on students. This study explores the experiences of students and families in a local Midwest charter school with a predominantly minority student population. The school implements innovative initiatives, including Experiential Learning (EL), the Families and Schools Together (FAST) program, a two-generational engagement model, and CREW Culture. Our study has found that these initiatives enhance student learning, strengthen family-school relationships, and foster a sense of belonging among marginalized student populations.
Using Bronfenbrenner’s (2000) ecological framework, the study examines how these initiatives influence student and family engagement, school interactions, and overall school climate. Families and students bring unique backgrounds and experiences that interact with the school environment, shaping their perceptions and levels of involvement. Data collection involved interviews with 31 students (April–June 2024) and 12 interviews with parents (April 2024- February 2025). The study utilized stratified randomized sampling to ensure diverse representation across grade levels, race/ethnicity, and gender.
Thematic analysis revealed that students experienced increased teacher engagement, a stronger sense of belonging due to diverse representation, and a strong shared sense of community. Parents reported higher involvement with the school, greater agency in their child’s education, and stronger community ties with teachers and staff. These preliminary findings highlight the importance of school initiatives in fostering student success and family engagement among diverse students and families while raising questions for further research about the expansion and impact of these initiatives in different contexts.