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Leadership Through Story: How High School in the Community is Transforming with Narrative 4

December 16, 2024

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High School in the Community (HSIC), a public school with a longstanding relationship with Narrative 4, continues to make strides in integrating storytelling and compassion into its culture. Under the leadership of Principal Carrie Strand, the school has hosted numerous impactful events, from global exchanges with a school in Ireland to collaborations between students and police officers. For HSIC, the power of storytelling and connection isn’t new, but each year, the school finds new ways to dive deeper into this transformative work.

In 2023, after receiving a grant from the Board of Education, the school decided to invest in expanding its use of N4 practices. The result was a school-wide event that brought together 25 facilitators from the Northeast and a local Connecticut poet, Ryan T. Parker, creating a dynamic experience for the entire school. The event was incredibly well-received, with both students and staff expressing their enthusiasm and appreciation for the opportunity to connect through storytelling.

This year, the school’s commitment to deepening its work with Narrative 4 has continued to grow. The focus has shifted to empowering student leadership through multiple events. In February, students were trained as facilitators, equipping them with the skills to lead others in meaningful exchanges. In March, the school hosted a Student Summit, with 5 high schools from New Haven and one from West Haven sending 10-15 students each. HSE students took on leadership roles in designing the summit, setting up prompts, and guiding their peers through the experience. A teaching artist led a workshop on finding and using one’s voice, while local poet groups, The Word, shared their work. This was followed by a multi-school exchange with 60 students from various schools, further strengthening the sense of community and shared experience.

In April, the school hosted a schoolwide Story Exchange with student facilitators taking the lead. This event was a testament to the school’s commitment to centering students in the work, giving them the tools and support to lead their peers in meaningful storytelling experiences.

Looking ahead to 2025, the school plans to continue this momentum with another round of training and a student summit. The final schoolwide exchange of the year will be largely student-run, with performances and art created by students replacing the usual artist-led workshops. By stepping back after the grant expires, Narrative 4 is confident that HSIC students will have the tools and leadership skills to continue facilitating these events independently, ensuring that the power of storytelling remains a cornerstone of the school’s community for years to come.

Through its ongoing partnership with Narrative 4, High School in the Community is not only deepening its students’ empathy and communication skills but also building a legacy of student-led leadership, ensuring that the ripples of this work will extend far beyond the school walls.