How Can Hope Squad Be Implemented in Your School?

When schools first explore bringing Hope Squad to their community, one of the biggest questions is: How does this fit into our schedule?

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Is it a club?
An advisory group?
A class?

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The answer? Any–or all–of the above!

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Hope Squad is designed to be flexible. The program can be tailored to meet the unique rhythms, schedules, and needs of each school. Whether you're looking for a structured course to fit within a class period or a student-led initiative that meets outside of school hours, there’s a way to make Hope Squad work for you.

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Here’s how other schools have successfully implemented the program:

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1. Extra/Co-Curricular Activity

One of the most common ways to integrate Hope Squad into a school is as an extra or co-curricular activity. In this model, Squads function similarly to a club or student leadership group.  

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Squads often meet:

• Before or after school

• During lunch or activity periods

• On early release days or during designated activity blocks

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This approach gives schools maximum flexibility to implement the program.  

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Benefits:

• Easy to launch without adjusting class schedules or advisor teaching loads

• Encourages voluntary participation and ownership

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2. Flex Period, Homeroom, or Advisory Block

Many schools find success using an existing flex period or advisory block to host Hope Squad. This built-in time allows for regular meetings without interfering with academic offerings or conflicting with other extracurricular activities.

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Benefits:

• A consistent rhythm for check-ins, team building, and lessons

• More time to plan school-wide mental health initiatives

• Built into the school day–no need for before/after school meetings that may conflict with other groups or teams

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3. Elective Class

Some schools take it a step further and implement Hope Squad as an elective course. This mode enables comprehensive coverage of Hope Squad’s content, along with in-depth instruction on mental health, leadership, and peer support skills.

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Course content might include:

• Thorough coverage of Hope Squad lessons and Lifesaver Challenges

• Guest speakers (mental health professionals, community advocates)

• Committee/project work related to promoting student wellbeing throughout the school  

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Benefits:

• Opportunity for students to earn elective credit

• Alignment with career pathways

• Dedicated time for training and growth  

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Finding the Right Fit

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Hope Squad is intentionally not designed with a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether your school is small or large, rural or urban, private or public, Hope Squad can be shaped to fit your community’s needs.  

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The most important aspect isn’t the format you choose; it’s the commitment to student voice, peer connection, and mental health awareness.  

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If you’d like help designing the implementation plan that works best for your school, we’re here to support you every step of the way!