CONCORD — Concord-Carlisle High School was recently featured by Challenge Success for its long-term work to improve student well-being, engagement and belonging.
The school spotlight details the changes CCHS made during its 10-year partnership with Challenge Success, an affiliate of the Stanford Graduate School of Education that works with schools to improve student experiences.
CCHS began working with Challenge Success in 2016. A survey conducted that year found high levels of student stress, with many reporting that schoolwork affected their sleep and caused physical symptoms. Students also identified changes they believed would help, including more time to complete work during the school day, a revised schedule and better coordination of assignments among teachers.
The school used that feedback to guide a series of changes over the following decade.
CCHS redesigned its schedule to include flex blocks, revised early release days and reading days during midyear exams. The school also began coordinating homework across subjects, established no-homework weekends and piloted limits on the number of major tests or projects students could have on the same day.
Assistant Principal Meghan Maines told Challenge Success that flex blocks have helped students “manage their time and their workload.”
Other initiatives included:
- The Q5 program, which gives students and faculty opportunities to explore shared interests through immersive learning experiences beyond the classroom
- Faculty Forums and student listening sessions designed to bring more voices into school decisions
- Annual alumni panels highlighting the different paths graduates have taken after high school
- A Belonging Film Project examining how students from different backgrounds experience the school
- Relationship mapping to help staff identify and connect with students who may feel less connected
- An updated Academic Integrity Policy addressing the responsible use of artificial intelligence
Follow-up survey results cited by Challenge Success show progress in several areas. Average student sleep increased from 6.75 hours per night in 2016-17 to 7.1 hours in 2025-26, while average nightly homework decreased from 2.8 hours to 2.1 hours.
The percentage of students reporting at least one physical symptom of stress fell from 85% to 73%. Reports of academically dishonest behavior also declined, while student engagement increased.
CCHS will continue focusing on equity and belonging, student engagement, academic integrity and communication. Recent efforts include grade-level limits on Advanced Placement courses, greater collaboration among student affinity groups, a community cookbook celebrating the backgrounds and cultures represented at CCHS and a “Be Kind” campaign.
The Challenge Success spotlight recognized the school for treating improvement as an ongoing process built around data, student feedback and a willingness to make meaningful changes.
“We are proud to have the work of our students, faculty and staff featured by Challenge Success,” Co-Principals Brian Miller and Katie Stahl said. “Our partnership has helped us listen closely to students and take a thoughtful look at how our practices affect their daily lives. This work is not finished. We will continue looking for ways to make CCHS a place where students can learn, feel connected and be well.”