High School Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

Core competencies developed in our High School SEL program include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making skills. Themes over the four years include healthy relationships, comprehensive sex education, drug and alcohol education, stress and stress management, conscious technology use, nutrition, and transition out of high school.  Each class focuses on the creation of a safe, caring, and highly participatory learning  environment where SEL competencies are modeled, taught, and reinforced.  

Learning  opportunities are provided through mindfulness activities, games, presentations and lectures, small group work, sharing circles, council, and solo time. In addition to SEL curriculum, SEL concepts and practice opportunities are woven throughout our curriculum, whether it be creative non-fiction writing, debates in Social Science classes, or collaborating on a Genetics group presentation. Seniors participate in courses on current events and college planning as they prepare to enter the wider world and discuss ethical participation in the world as members of our ever-evolving society. Electives are offered to Juniors and Seniors twice each week on a quarterly or per-semester basis and are intended to deepen student skills and interests or offer exposure to new topics. Elective offerings vary but have included topics such as photography, Science Olympiad, vegan cooking, philosophy, storytelling, handcrafts, advanced creative writing, psychology, and more. These courses compliment our SEL curriculum by allowing students opportunities to apply what they’re practicing and learning in real-world contexts within a supportive and nurturing learning community.