Breaking Down the Walls is a powerful program that helps young people learn that they are not alone. As our students participate in the activities, they soon find that they have more in common with their peers than they had realized and new relationships are discovered. Breaking Down the walls has had a tremendous impact on our campus, which includes 2800 students from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds. Our school has seen a huge reduction in disciplinary issues and student conflicts and Breaking Down the Walls is part of our school culture.
~ Larry White, Principal, Vista High School
Breaking Down the Walls engages kids in a positive way with other kids that they would never have talked to before.
~ Rick Spears, Colfax High School
This experience was very impactful, even life changing, for many of our students. Students from other schools started asking their administration why they didn’t have the same opportunity. They heard about it through Facebook posts and even parents were calling to find out how their kids could have the same opportunity. It was a great experience and we look forward to continuing to offer it to our students. We found that students took the time to get to know others better throughout the year. This led to less fights and less bullying.
~ Jo Anne Daughtry, Kentwood High School
I learned that my school is full of average kids who have gone through extraordinary things and have become extraordinary people because of it.
~ –Oceanside High School
Breaking Down the Walls helped solidify our fractured school culture.
~ Golden West High School
Breaking Down the Walls was one of the most engaging assemblies we have had. The kids really connected to Phil's stories and message. The mini-workshops after the assemblies reached even our most reluctant participants and encouraged students to cross clique boundaries get to know others.
~ Burnett Middle School
A person's story screams loudly in a world where people rarely stop to listen.
~ Three Oaks High School
Breaking Down the Walls helps us meet our school mission of Mind, Heart, Spirit - an education of the whole student. We greatly value relationships, and BDTW helps us create a positive sense of community
~ Anonymous
Breaking Down the Walls is the MOST impactful program that I have ever seen brought to a school. It transformed our campus in only three days where students and teachers saw their peers connecting and appreciating each other more than we ever had. We are committed to bringing the program again this year because of the awesome impact it has. It truly is the one event that has the greatest impact at our school. It's a blessing!
~ Kristin Patten, Antelope High School
Today I witnessed (as a teacher participant) the most powerful message I have ever seen. Phil Boyte is quite simply amazing. Today felt like we part of a "bigger" thing. Students were overwhelmed by the message, as they were able to see they weren't alone in this world (cross the line). To Phil: You have a gift. The way you "bring it" and present it is amazing. You are powerful. You are funny. You are current. Every school in this country needs to have you. My hat is off to you and what you do for a living. I feel truly blessed to have been
a part of breaking down the walls today. And I will say this; today was a LIFE CHANGING day for some of our students.
~ Colin Toupin, Maple Ridge SS
