FARMINGTON — At the Academy Hill School in Wilton, staff are coming up with new ways to ignite students’ interest in learning while creating a school climate that is supportive, challenging and fun, Principal Darlene Paine told the Mt. Blue Regional School District Board of Directors this week.

Paine’s presentation was part of the annual “school report card” series that gives each district principal an opportunity to highlight a successful program that benefits students.

Paine is the principal at both Academy Hill School, with grades three to six, and Cushing School, which has prekindergarten to grade two.

A new initiative at Academy Hill is focusing on lifting student aspirations by connecting with their interests and understanding what they need to become lifelong learners, she said.

A “motivation committee” has been meeting regularly, looking for new ways to foster among students a sense of belonging, of feeling respected by teachers and peers, and giving them opportunities to take on more responsibility, both in and out of the classroom.

Students recently took a 12-question survey that showed they had a positive view of school and felt respected and cared for by their teachers. But it also found students did not feel strongly that they had a voice in how they learned and in the way the school functioned, Paine said.

Questions included whether students felt they were respected, if they were proud of their school, and if they felt teachers were concerned with their learning.

It also asked if students felt recognized for things they had accomplished; if they are asked to apply what they learn in class to their life outside of school; and if teachers were aware of their learning needs.

There were also questions about whether teachers ask for student input to improve class instruction and if they feel they have a say in important decisions made at school.

“Our students feel their teachers care about their education and they feel respected by their teachers,” Paine said.

But she said the survey also showed more needed to be done to give students a voice in decision-making around school and being recognized for their accomplishments.

The survey was based on one developed through a partnership between the Center for Research and Educational Advancement at Endicott College in Beverly, Mass., and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The original study suggested that students can feel disengaged from their learning if, among other things, they do not feel valued by their teachers, do not have their accomplishments recognized, and do not feel unconditionally accepted as valuable members of their school.

Paine described some of the activities that the motivation committee suggested and that have already been initiated.

Each day, morning announcements are now read by students on the public address system. They lead the flag salute, read the notices that had formerly been done by teachers in individual classrooms, and they acknowledge birthdays, which Paine said everyone enjoys.

Students are now given responsibilities in the school, help at school events and older kids have “reading buddies” in the younger grades.

Pep rallies are held to generate school spirit before statewide assessment tests, students are writing short, positive phrases that they put on the message sign in front of the school, and there are recognition bulletin boards. Paine said by the end of the year, kudos will have been given to every student.

Also, each youngster will be given a navy blue and gold “School Pride” T-shirt to wear at school events and pep rallies that will be paid for through student fundraising from the popular Kids Night Out events. A recent one raised $540, she said.

Paine told the board she works with a committed group of teachers at Academy Hill and Cushing schools.

“They are a dedicated bunch and every day, I am so impressed with their passion and energy,” she said.