Salem School District

Salem School District is strengthening student connections and long-term success through a new peer mentoring partnership that brings together Salem High School students and Woodbury Middle School advisory classes.

The initiative is part of the district’s strategic goal to “Prepare Every Student to Graduate with a Plan.” A central focus of this goal is developing a culture where students feel supported, confident, and empowered to set goals for their futures. Expanding peer mentoring across grade levels has become a key strategy in achieving that vision.

Beginning in February 2026, trained Salem High School peer mentors will partner with Woodbury Middle School’s Advisory Program. Advisory classes meet on Mondays and Fridays and are designed to strengthen community and build meaningful relationships. Lessons focus on monthly themes including Community, Respect, Empathy and Compassion, Integrity, and Trust—values educators say are essential for both academic and personal success.

Through the partnership, high school mentors will visit Woodbury to help teach lessons, lead activities, and engage students in discussion and role-play. By learning from older peers who have recently navigated similar challenges, middle school students gain guidance that feels relatable and authentic.

Middle school can be a pivotal time for students as they work to understand themselves, build relationships, and develop confidence. District leaders believe peer mentoring helps make these lessons more tangible, showing students positive examples of leadership, responsibility, and perseverance.

The benefits for middle school students include increased confidence and self-efficacy, stronger social and emotional skills, and a greater sense of belonging. Students also practice communication skills such as asking questions clearly, problem-solving, and seeking support when needed—skills that contribute to success both in and out of the classroom.

The program also provides meaningful growth opportunities for the high school mentors. By working with younger students, mentors strengthen leadership skills, gain new perspectives, and develop greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Many mentors find that teaching and guiding others reinforces their own learning and personal development.

At its core, the initiative is about building trusting relationships. The peer mentoring model creates a safe, welcoming space where students feel comfortable sharing experiences, asking for advice, and learning from one another. These connections help students feel supported as they move through different stages of their education.

District leaders see this effort as an important step toward creating continuity across grade levels and reinforcing the message that every student’s journey matters. By connecting students across schools, the district hopes to strengthen community, build leadership capacity, and help students envision a clear path toward graduation and beyond.

As Salem School District continues its work to prepare every student to graduate with a plan, leaders say initiatives like peer mentoring reflect a simple but powerful belief: students thrive when they feel connected, supported, and inspired by one another.