Bloomsights

Classrooms are more than just places where students learn math and reading—they’re communities where friendships form, social skills develop, and every student finds their place. But sometimes, those social dynamics can be hard to see. How do we know which students feel included and which ones might be struggling to connect? That’s where Social Network Analysis (SNA) comes in.

What Is Social Network Analysis (SNA)?

Think of SNA as a way to map out classroom friendships and social connections. It helps educators see who interacts with whom, how strong those connections are, and where students might need extra support. Instead of guessing, SNA provides a clear, visual way to understand student relationships.

SNA isn’t just about knowing who is connected—it’s about understanding how strong those connections are. This is key because a student’s social experience can directly impact their engagement, motivation, and overall well-being.

How Social Clusters Work in Classrooms

When we use SNA in a classroom, we start to see natural social clusters emerge. These groups tell us a lot about how students interact and support one another:

• Students on their own: Those who don’t have strong connections to their peers.
• Pairs: Two students with a solid, mutual bond.
• Small groups (3 students): Close-knit groups of three.
• Medium to large groups (4+ students): Students who are part of a bigger social circle.
• Connectors: Those students who link separate groups, often playing a key role in social integration.

Being able to see these patterns helps teachers support students who may feel left out, strengthen classroom friendships, and create a more inclusive learning environment.

Why SNA Matters for K-12 Teachers and Counselors

Teachers and school counselors already have a good sense of classroom dynamics, but it’s easy to miss certain patterns—especially in larger groups. SNA helps by offering a data-backed, systematic way to:

Identify at-risk students – Spot students who might be feeling left out or disconnected.

Strengthen peer relationships – Create a welcoming classroom where all students feel like they belong.

Monitor social-emotional learning (SEL) progress – See how relationships change over time and align with SEL goals.

Support interventions – Give counselors real insights to guide mentoring, peer mediation, or social skill development.

Improve group-based learning – Make sure students are placed in groups that support their growth and confidence

Bloomsights and the Future of Social Network Analysis in Schools

At Bloomsights, we’re always looking for ways to help educators better understand and support their students. We already use sociograms to help teachers visualize peer relationships in a way that makes sense, and now we’re taking it a step further with social clusters.

We’re actively working on new features that will provide even deeper insights into student relationships, making it easier for educators to see how students connect, where social gaps exist, and how to create a more inclusive classroom environment.

With these new tools, educators will soon be able to:

• Track student social networks over time
• Understand friendships and peer relationships based on student input
• Use connection strength metrics to provide targeted support
• Gain real-time insights into student well-being

This is an exciting development, and we can’t wait to share more as we refine and expand these capabilities. By making SNA accessible and easy to use, we’re helping teachers and counselors take action to ensure every student feels connected, supported, and ready to thrive.

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Stay Tuned

We’re just getting started! In upcoming posts, we’ll explore how educators can apply SNA, best practices for using it effectively, and real-world examples of its impact in schools.

Want to learn more? Follow Bloomsights as we continue working to help students build stronger, healthier social connections in the classroom.