transcenDANCE performers dancing with hands in the air

Our Impact

PEAR Data

The benefits of our work are quantifiable.  

transcenDANCE utilizes the Holistic Student Assessment (HSA) created by Program in Education, After School, and Resiliency (PEAR). PEAR is a joint initiative of Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital that provides adolescents with an opportunity to self-report about specific behaviors, beliefs, and relationships.  

CREATE Performance Group students complete the PEAR at the end of each program year, in May.  

The data collected through the survey is extremely valuable as it quantitatively validates the work that transcenDANCE is doing to serve youth so they ultimately thrive in their lives. 

The following charts show a 3-year comparison of our most recent PEAR data. 

LEARNING & SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT

PERCENT POSITIVE CHANGE

The Percent Change Graphs share the youth-reported percent change on the HSA’s social-emotional learning (SEL) scales. Positive Change represents gains for a given SEL scale. Percent No Change represents youth who report they feel the same at the end of the year as they did at the beginning. Percent Negative Change represents youth-reported losses for a given HSA scale. The Positive Change, No Change, and Negative Change graphs complement each other. Within each scale, all youth either reported positive changes (represented in the green graph) or no change (represented in the yellow graph) or negative change (represented in the orange graph)/ The three graphs combined equal the total number of youth who responded.

RELATIONSHIPS

RESILIENCIES

Performers dancing

Sense of Belonging  

In addition to the PEAR, CREATE students complete an in-house Sense of Belonging survey each Spring. In May 2025:  

98%

of CREATE students said dancing at transcenDANCE helped build their confidence overall. 

87%

of CREATE students said participating at transcenDANCE gave them a sense of belonging. 

94%

of CREATE students said dancing at transcenDANCE improved their collaboration skills. 

94%

of CREATE students said participating at transcenDANCE improved their emotional / mental health. 

98%

of CREATE students said participating at transcenDANCE helped them feel connected to a support system.