"Connectedness" is a term increasingly used to describe a healthy, protective relationship between youth and the environments in which they grow up. This book presents findings from a study intended to better understand what elements of school and community life youth felt fostered a sense of belonging, care, trust, and respect. It was also intended to better understand how and why perceptions of connectedness tend to decline by age. Three hundred and eighteen youth in eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades were asked to talk about how they perceived their school and community environments. Overall, the results suggest that the more connected youth felt in one setting, the more likely they were to feel connected to the other. It was also evident, however, that many older youth suffered from a "connectedness slump" and that the power of connection to school and community may be particularly important for disadvantaged adolescents who lack other sources of support. The book is filled with the words of youth as well as ideas for cultivating connection in school and community settings.