Can schools help depolarize the USA?

On Board Online • August 10, 2026

By Eric D. Randall
Editor-in-Chief

As if the mission of public education isn't difficult enough, some school districts in New York State are taking on another challenge: depolarizing America.

One is the Herricks Central School District on Long Island. In May, its high school hosted a workshop for more than 100 staff members on communication styles designed to allow people with differing political or social views to have productive civil discourse.

The session was led by volunteers from a national organization called Braver Angels, which began with a conversation among supporters of both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton after the 2016 presidential election.

The goal of the Herricks training was to help create a school culture in which students can have respectful conversations about controversial issues. "The training model allowed participants to experience the same content that they would deliver to their students, with guidance on how to set up the instruction and best practices for maximum impact," said Sara Silver, one of the Braver Angels trainers.

"We felt that the work of Braver Angels aligned well with our school's exploration of the power of words, strengthening civic trust and engagement, and enhancing skills to listen, speak and connect," said Joan Keegan, principal of Herricks High School. "Feedback from the professional development was positive and we are planning to move into stage 2, which includes the Braver Angels team working directly with students."

The plan is to engage with different stakeholders in the Herricks community over three to five years.

So, what's the secret to productive conversations across political divides? "Four skill sets were demonstrated: tone-setting, listening, speaking and handling difficult moments," Silver said. "We also equip school board members with skills to navigate contentious subjects within and outside their constituency," she added.

Other districts working with Braver Angels include Cold Spring Harbor, Plainview-Old Bethpage and Wantagh. For more information, go to braverangels.org/braver-education or contact Silver at ssilver@braverangels.org.