For students
- Support and guidance from a caring adult
- Encouragement to stay engaged in school and work toward graduation
- More confidence and motivation to pursue goals
Student Mentoring Program
A caring adult can help a student see what is possible.
A school-based mentoring framework from ReportBullying.com
The mentoring program extends a school's behavioral support by connecting students with caring adult role models. It is designed to help students discover strengths, set goals and build a more positive connection to school and community.
The purpose
Support, consistency and positive goals
The legacy program emphasizes behavior-focused support, caring adult relationships and a school process for identifying students who may benefit from additional guidance.
Mission
Help students develop a positive attitude toward school and their community, recognize their strengths, and work toward a hopeful future. No student should be left behind or feel alone.
A mentor is a caring adult friend who gives time and encouragement. Mentors complement the roles of parents, guardians and teachers; they do not replace them or act as disciplinarians or decision-makers for students.
Why mentoring
Benefits for students, mentors and schools
The source program describes a consistent relationship, usually one hour each week during the school day at the student's school.
For mentors
- A meaningful way to contribute to the community
- A chance to bridge the gap between adults and students
- The experience of seeing that steady support can matter
For schools
- More positive adult involvement
- A structured way to support students who need additional attention
- A school culture where students are noticed and supported
Getting started
A thoughtful process from planning to support
The original site's planning, team, recruitment, operations and evaluation guides are brought together here as a practical sequence.
- 1
Plan the program
Define the student group served, mentor profile, meeting schedule, location, goals, policies and how success will be reviewed.
- 2
Build a team
Select a focused school mentoring team to promote the program, recruit and interview mentors, support matches and review how the program is working.
- 3
Recruit and screen
Invite community volunteers, collect written applications, check references, interview candidates and follow school screening and background check requirements.
- 4
Prepare mentors
Orient mentors to the program, their responsibilities, student safety, confidentiality limits and how to handle sensitive situations.
- 5
Match and meet
Use information in mentor applications and student referrals to make thoughtful matches. Meet at school, during school hours, with required consent in place.
- 6
Support and evaluate
Keep regular contact with mentors and students, document meetings and progress, address difficulties early and review the program for improvements.
Mentor guidance
What a mentor is—and is not
Mentoring is a structured, trusting relationship that offers guidance, encouragement and support as a student develops competence and character.
A mentor is not a parent, therapist, parole officer or peer substitute.
Mentors are not expected to solve every issue or produce immediate changes. The relationship takes time. Mentors should follow school policy and bring safety concerns to the designated school contact; confidentiality has limits when a student may be at risk.
Helpful mentor qualities
- Patient, kind, committed and non-judgmental
- A good listener who communicates in an age-appropriate way
- Reliable, on time and willing to meet consistently
- A positive role model who respects a student's dignity
- Open to different points of view and able to handle frustration
- Willing to accept guidance, responsibilities and program expectations
First meeting
Start by building trust
The original first-meeting guide suggests choosing only the topics that fit the student and the first conversation.
- Explain what mentoring is and is not.
- Invite the mentor to share why they chose to participate.
- Discuss confidentiality and the situations that must be shared with the school for safety.
- Ask what the student hopes to gain and what they would like the mentor to know.
- Agree on how you will work together and what feels respectful.
- Close by deciding what the next meeting will look like.
Conversation ideas
Simple activities that make room to talk
The original activity list favors low-pressure ways to connect. Always follow school rules and student needs.
- Ask how school is going and listen without rushing to solve everything.
- Set personal goals and talk about progress.
- Read the same book, share favorite parts or write a story together.
- Use a board game, puzzle, model or computer activity to build connection.
- Explore hobbies, maps, careers, positive role models or community interests.
- Make greeting cards, write a letter or play a school-approved sport.
Program review
Keep learning as the program grows
Evaluation helps the team identify what's working, what's difficult and what needs adjustment.
The original material recommends tracking program activity, matches, volunteer hours and evaluation efforts; collecting feedback; reviewing policies and procedures regularly; checking in with mentors and students; and planning a respectful, private closure when a match ends.
Schools should define secure recordkeeping, safeguarding, consent, supervision and referral procedures before launching a program.
Original downloads
Mentoring forms and program files
Download the original mentor applications, student forms, parent permissions, agreements and program evaluations. Each file is hosted locally on ReportBullying.com.
Mentor applicationOriginal mentor application PDF.Open original PDFStudent application profileOriginal student application profile PDF.Open original PDFStudent referral applicationOriginal student referral PDF.Open original PDFParent permission formOriginal parent or guardian permission PDF.Open original PDFMentor and mentee agreementOriginal match agreement PDF.Open original PDFMentor evaluation formOriginal mentor evaluation PDF.Open original PDFMentee annual evaluationOriginal annual mentee evaluation PDF.Open original PDFProgram evaluationOriginal program evaluation PDF.Open original PDFMatch closure formOriginal match closure PDF.Open original PDF
Contact
Bring mentoring into your school's support plan
Use the contact details below to ask how the mentoring framework can fit alongside school policies and bullying-prevention work.
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