Improv4schools
Improv increases participation, self-esteem, and academic skills for students, while reducing anxiety and increasing job satisfaction for teachers.
City of Santa Fe · Santa Fe Community Foundation · Century Bank · Educators Network
Santa Fe High School · Española High School · Capital High School · Mandela International Magnet School · NMSA
of NM high schoolers report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
CDC Youth Risk & Resiliency Survey 2023
years in a row, New Mexico has ranked last in education.
Annie E. Casey Foundation 2023
NM teacher positions were unfilled at the start of 2025.
SOAR 2025
is New Mexico’s 4-year high school graduation rate.
NM Public Education Dept 2024
An integrated approach: teaching improv to 8th–12th graders within the school context, and training teachers to use improv to facilitate learning.
Improv4Schools curricula emphasize listening, teamwork, being present, and readiness for anything. These skills benefit both teachers and students.
Both teen and teacher participants can perform at the SFI theater as a capstone to their program. The show is free to the community and family members.
See the White Paper for methodology and citations
than comparable Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs.
compared to previous participation in class and presentation skills.
including innovative approaches to academic and social challenges.