LARA’s Theory of Change places school climate in a central role for improved reading and retention.With aims to promote, a positive learning environment, eliminate violence in schools, and increase retention, the Journeys intervention is based on an awareness-based system change model. It engages teaching and non-teaching school staff, community members, and pupils in a variety of activities that promote reflection and discussion about the intersection between a caring and supportive learning environment, positive social and emotional growth and development, and learning outcomes. In 2018, the project embarked on a mixed methods study to evaluate the tenability of this hypothesis and the impact of Journeys in establishing positive and violence-free schools and improving retention and early grade reading (EGR) outcomes. In this study, project schools participated in both Journeys (see above) and also LARA’s EGR intervention.