Why Wayfinder

Research-Backed

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.

Schedule Demo

Wayfinder Boosts Student Performance

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

71%

Feel more confident contributing to their communities + beyond¹

11x

Increase in key measure of Purpose²

75%

Can name their strengths and connect them to real life¹

1. Rise Final Report
2. Wayfinder Study

Reviewed by Harvard University

A lab at Harvard Univeristy 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

Read High School Profile

Read Elementary School Profile

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.

Read Wayfinder Evaluation

Graph that shows 55% of students grew in school engagement and 64% of students grew in social awareness.

2021-22 Independent Program Evaluation

View Full 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

Our Research Advisory Council

Dr. Bill Damon

Director, Stanford Center on Adolescence + Author

Path to Purpose

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 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.