EDInnovators Collective Spotlight: Sonar
Supporting student mental health is more critical than ever, yet schools across the country face growing challenges in meeting these needs. As a member of the EDInnovators Collective, Sonar exemplifies a human-centered approach to responsible AI integration—providing students with real-time emotional support while equipping educators with the tools to identify and intervene effectively. Their mission aligns deeply with the LEAP Innovations commitment to personalizing learning. By ensuring students have access to the innovative solutions they need to thrive, we can continue to transform education nationwide into a uniquely personal experience, designed to prepare, empower and inspire all learners to ignite their unlimited potential.
By partnering with schools, Sonar provides students with on-demand emotional support through text-based conversations with Sonny, their personal Wellbeing Companion. Every interaction with Sonny is guided by trained Wellbeing Companions, ensuring students receive empathetic, evidence-based support while maintaining human oversight and safety. Blending AI and human support, Sonar offers a scalable and cost-effective solution that meets students where they are—on their phones. Whether dealing with everyday stressors or deeper emotional challenges, students can access real-time support in a private, judgment-free space, making mental health care more accessible than ever before.
The impact speaks for itself. Since implementing Sonar, Marysville Public Schools has seen 20% of students consistently using the platform to access mental health support with 83% of students relying on it outside of school hours—when traditional counseling services are unavailable. For some students, daily engagement with Sonar has made it a critical lifeline, offering immediate and ongoing support. Additionally, schools can now proactively identify students in need of in-person intervention who might otherwise have gone unnoticed
By increasing accessibility, extending support beyond school hours, and providing an alternative to traditional in-person counseling, Sonar is helping schools create healthier, more supportive learning environments. Learn more about Sonar, and each of the members of the 2024–25 EDInnovators Collective here.