Programs in Action: High School Students in Evidence-Based Roles
Near Peer Student Support Programs
There are numerous approaches for promoting the overall well-being and success of P-12 students. Learn how older peers are supporting their younger students as tutors, mentors, student success coaches and more, in communities across the country.
Cardinals Care for Cardinals
Cunningham Elementary School, Vienna, VA
At Cunningham Elementary School in Vienna, VA, 6th graders provide peer-to-peer mentoring program supports to their 1st grade peers. The program was pitched by a 6th grade student and is called Cardinals Care for Cardinals. Older peers volunteer to mentor their 1st grade peers and only if they are all caught up with their own school work. 6th graders mentor up to 2-3 days per week in both reading and math as well as tech support to ensure students are able to effectively log on to their devices and access digital curriculum and enrichment.
One of the peer mentors shared with a local news station, “I’m very glad that I helped this kid learn something new today. It makes me feel really good because kindness feels good for the person who gives it and for the person who gets it.” The program aligns with the district’s strategic goals to help all students feel welcomed, known and empowered while 6th graders are meeting their own goals of becoming better communicators and collaborators.
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