In a Caring School Community®, students learn to take responsibility for their own learning and behavior. They also learn the values of fairness, helpfulness, caring, and respect. The program’s four components support that learning.

• Class Meetings
• Cross-age Buddies Program
• Homeside Activities
• Schoolwide Activities

Class Meetings Teachers learn: How to build unity and give students a more meaningful voice in the classroom Ways to build students’ social skills and commitment to responsibility, helpfulness, and respect Students learn: How to set class norms and goals, create plans, make decisions, and solve problems related to classroom life How to better understand and empathize with other students Learn more

Cross-Age Buddies Program Teachers learn: An approach that goes beyond tutoring to create respectful, caring relationships between older and younger students Students learn: How to give and receive help How to experience themselves as caring and competent individuals Learn more

Homeside Activities Teachers learn: Ways to create a cycle of learning that starts in the classroom, develops at home, and concludes in the classroom Students learn: The experiences and perspectives of other families and cultures Learn more

Schoolwide Activities Teachers learn: Collaborative activities they can use to promote academic growth and schoolwide community Ways to link students, parents, the school, and the community-at-large Students learn: How to help and take responsibility How to collaborate with one another How to appreciate cultural differences Learn more

Four core principles about relationships, responsibility, and the importance of respect underlie the program.