Building a Neighborhood Culture On-Campus: Fostering Connection and Belonging at Ashland Ranch

At Ashland Ranch Elementary, we believe every student should have opportunities to belong, lead, and connect. Our students build meaningful relationships every day—in their classrooms, across grade levels, through clubs and activities, and through opportunities to develop the skills that help them show kindness, compassion, and leadership throughout our campus.

These connections are an important part of what makes Ashland a special place to learn and grow. We intentionally create opportunities for students to learn from one another, build relationships, discover their strengths, and become active members of our school community.

Buddy classes are one way we promote connections between students at different grade levels. Ashland's intermediate teachers partner with primary classrooms to create opportunities for older students to mentor, encourage, and learn alongside their younger buddies. Whether they read together, work on writing projects, or simply spend time together, students practice leadership while building relationships. Older students gain confidence and a sense of responsibility as they support younger learners, while younger students benefit from positive role models and connections with students across campus.

Our students also build relationships across our intermediate grades. For example, our 5th- and 6th-grade “Get to Know You” meetings bring students together to build connections and work as writing partners throughout the year. These experiences give students opportunities to share their ideas, strengthen their writing skills, encourage one another, and build friendships that extend beyond their individual classrooms.

Connection and belonging don't stop at the end of the school day. Ashland teachers host a variety of unique after-school clubs that give students additional opportunities to find something they enjoy, meet new people, and feel connected to their school community. Hundreds of students participate in clubs throughout the year, with opportunities ranging from drama and service club to Dungeons & Dragons, game club, and running club, just to name a few. These experiences allow students to discover new interests, develop leadership skills, and connect with others who share their passions.

We also believe belonging is built through everyday interactions across campus. Students are encouraged to practice kindness, compassion, empathy, and respect and to use those skills to make Ashland a welcoming place for everyone. Whether a student is helping a younger buddy, inviting someone to join a game, participating in a club, supporting a classmate, or stepping into a leadership role, there are countless ways to make a difference.

We are proud to be more than an A+ School of Excellence and an A-Rated Gilbert Public Schools elementary school. We are proud to be a neighborhood school where relationships matter, students are known and valued, and every child has opportunities to be an important part of our academic and social community.

We are incredibly proud of the connections our students and staff create every day, and we hope every student feels that they truly belong at Ashland. If you’re still trying to find your place on campus, just ask! There may be a club you haven't discovered yet, an opportunity waiting for you, or even a new idea we haven't thought of yet. At Ashland, we are always looking for another way to help every student find their place.

Ashland is an extraordinary place — and we believe there is a place here for every child.

Want to learn more about how to join our community? Schedule a campus tour today.