At Saklan, when it comes to learning, we believe that strong relationships and strong academics are not in competition with one another. In fact, they depend on each other.
Think back to your own school experience. Most of us can picture a teacher we truly connected with: someone who knew us well, cared about us, and held us to high expectations. For many of us, those were the classrooms where learning felt more profound and meaningful.
That’s not a coincidence.
Students spend thousands of hours with their teachers over the course of their school years, and research consistently shows that the quality of those relationships matters. Large-scale studies following millions of students have found that trusting, supportive relationships between teachers and students are linked to higher academic achievement, stronger self-regulation, improved behavior, and a greater sense of belonging—particularly as students get older.
At Saklan, we intentionally make the time and space to build those relationships. We want children to feel seen, known, and cared for—not only because it helps them grow into kind, grounded people, but because it directly supports learning.
When students feel safe and connected, their brains are more open to learning. They are more willing to take intellectual risks, persist through challenges, and accept feedback.
Relationships aren’t a “nice to have.” They are a foundation for real rigor.
This is why we believe relationships before rigor isn’t a slogan—it’s a strategy. One grounded in research, lived out daily in classrooms, and central to who we are at Saklan.
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