Help families find the connections their children are already making.
Schools bring children together every day, but for children with support needs, those connections don’t always make it home. A new friend may be in another classroom, another grade, or simply someone a child doesn’t know how to reconnect with outside of school.
Our Circle helps families find one another, build friendships, and turn those missed opportunities into connections that can grow beyond the school day.
Help families build connections that last beyond the school day.
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Turn missed connections into friendships
Children connect throughout the school day, at recess, lunch, clubs, therapy, events, and everywhere in between. But those connections don't always make it home. Our Circle gives parents a way to find other families in their school community and help promising friendships continue outside of school.
Connect families beyond the classroom
A child's best potential friend may be in another classroom, grade, program, or even another school in the district. Our Circle helps families connect across the boundaries of the school day, expanding opportunities for friendship and belonging.
Give families a community, not a contact list
Schools shouldn't have to exchange parent phone numbers or maintain informal directories just to help families connect. With Our Circle, parents choose to participate, control what they share, and decide who they want to connect with.
Put helpful resources in one place
Share school and community resources directly with families, from local support programs and inclusive activities to parent education and transition resources. Families have a place to discover and return to information when they actually need it.
Bring families together around events
Share school and community events where families can discover what's happening and RSVP. Events can become more than something to attend. They can give families another reason to meet, reconnect, and spend time together outside of school.
Help new families find their footing
Joining a new school can mean starting over socially for both children and parents. Our Circle gives new families a way to discover their community, find families with shared experiences, and begin building connections from the start.
Extend belonging beyond the school day
Schools put tremendous effort into creating inclusive environments for children. Our Circle helps carry that sense of belonging into the rest of their lives, through friendships, playdates, activities, community events, gaming, and connections between families.
Three ways to start
Start in a way that fits your school.
Most schools get the most out of Our Circle by creating a community for their families. You can also bring in your PTO, or simply share us as a family resource. If you are not sure which fits, we will help you work it out.
Create your school community
Work with us on a community for your school: a private group, invitations, shared resources, and event tools. Give families a familiar place to connect around your school.
Bring in your PTO or parent group
Bring your PTO or PTA, family liaisons, family advocates, or community engagement team into the conversation. Together, we can explore how Our Circle fits your existing family programs.
Share a family resource
Include Our Circle in a newsletter, on your family resource page, or at an open house. Families can explore the app and choose to join themselves. Sharing the app is free.
Or email us at hello@ourcircle.org
Thoughtful about family privacy.
Families choose to join and what to share. Organization administrators can manage their groups and events while children’s profiles and private conversations between families remain outside the organization’s view.
FERPA: Sharing the app as an optional family resource requires no transfer of student education records to Our Circle. For a school-managed community, we can discuss your district’s privacy review before setup.
Read about family privacyA nonprofit built by families.
Our Circle Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 41-5353017. Our founders are families raising children with support needs, supported by a board with experience in healthcare, technology, and nonprofit leadership.
Explore our approach to safetyLet’s talk about your school community.
Tell us about your school or district and what you would like to offer families. We can walk you through the app, explore community tools, and discuss options and pricing.
Start a school conversationOr email hello@ourcircle.org.