# Wayfinder Outcomes + Research

Understand Wayfinder outcomes by exploring research that proves our future-ready skills curriculum boosts student performance and increases student purpose, engagement, and social awareness.

## Wayfinder Boosts Student Performance

Students who complete the Wayfinder curriculum experience many positive outcomes, including:

- **71%** [Feel more confident contributing to their communities + beyond](https://drive.google.com/file/d/14AGtLRmASsE_U7boMj7zIGcVihRKOibV/view?usp=sharing)
- **11x** [Increase in key measure of Purpose](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ez2xtVwCfMxlsAsjE_elnUckFX9UW9Ca/view)
- **75%** [Can name their strengths and connect them to real life](https://drive.google.com/file/d/14AGtLRmASsE_U7boMj7zIGcVihRKOibV/view?usp=sharing)

### Reviewed by Harvard University

A lab at Harvard University did an in-depth analysis of Wayfinder's curriculum, evaluating all components of the Wayfinder program. They found our program supports students in learning skills like:

- **Critical Thinking**
- **Self-Knowledge**
- **Empathy**
- **Purpose**
- **Prosocial Behaviors**
- **Gratitude**

## Wayfinder Evaluation + Theory of Change

In 2023, Wayfinder’s Research + Product Development Consultant articulated a theory of change model that spells out how Wayfinder’s programming helps students build belonging, purpose, and future-ready skills.

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## 2021-22 Independent Program Evaluation

Stanford University researcher **Dr. Heather Malin** completed an independent evaluation at a high school near San Francisco. Pre- and post-program surveys were administered to students who participated in the Wayfinder curriculum and to a control group of students at the same school who did not engage with our curriculum.

### THE RESULTS

Wayfinder students scored higher than the control group in all measures, demonstrating statistically significant improvement in:

- **Purpose**: Sense of purpose, goal commitment, beyond-the-self motivation
- **Engagement**: Interest in and enthusiasm for their classes
- **Social Awareness**: Positive social behaviors such as listening to others and respecting others’ views

## Educators Love Wayfinder, Too!

Educators using Wayfinder reported positive trends with their students since using Wayfinder in their classrooms:

- **88%** engaged in meaningful conversations with students about their futures
- **88%** spent more time in their day supporting students’ personal development
- **85%** noticed students collaborating positively with one another
- **83%** saw higher engagement in their classroom after a Wayfinder lesson
- **72%** experienced improved student behavior in their classrooms

## Our Research Advisory Council

### Dr. Bill Damon
Director, Stanford Center on Adolescence + Author

### Dr. Susie Wise
Founder, Stanford K12 Lab + Adjunct Professor, Stanford d.school

### Vicki Zakrzewski
Education Director, UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center

### Emily Esfahani Smith
NY Times Contributor + Author, The Power of Meaning

### Heather Malin, Ph.D
Director, Stanford Center on Adolescence

## Founded at Stanford, Based on Research

Wayfinder was started at the Stanford d.school using the latest child and adolescent research from **Dr. Bill Damon**, and other leaders in the field. Everything we create is evidence-based, research-backed, and grounded in human-centered design.

Students Who Experience Belonging Have:

- Greater levels of self-confidence
- Better stress management
- Stronger relationships with peers + teachers
- Higher levels of motivation + achievement

Students Who Feel Purposeful Have:

- Increased academic engagement
- Higher grade point averages
- More prosocial behavior
- Greater levels of self-motivation

## [RISE](https://www.risefortheworld.org/) Program

Wayfinder partnered with the RISE Initiative for a six-week virtual program designed for students to develop lives of meaning and purpose. RISE students from over 33 different countries Zoomed into six 1.5-hour Wayfinder-facilitated sessions. Students showed growth in core competencies, 60-70 students per week overcame challenges of connectivity + time differences to attend, and students responded with overwhelmingly positive evaluations during the course.

## Ready to Get Started?

Download samples or schedule your free demo!

[Get Samples](/content/resources/high-school-sample-curriculum/index.html)