Harding University Partnership School is teaching students more than just academics. The school is providing students with life skills and offering everything from school-wide instruction on social-emotional learning to tailored, individualized plans for students who may need more of a helping hand. “We want to give them more than an academic push,” said Principal Veronica Binkley. “We want them to feel safe and a part of the school — to be mindful and present, even if home life or growing up is stressful.” In collaboration with Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation and more than a dozen other organizations, Harding is focusing on children as more than just students and equipping them with skills necessary to succeed not only in academics but in life.
Harding has a three-tiered approach to both social-emotional learning and to balanced literacy. “We’re equally cognizant of academic and life skills and so consistent with both sides,” said Binkley. And it appears the two are working hand in hand. As students practice and develop social-emotional skills, they become more available for classroom and academic learning, said Binkley.
All students in the school learn about basic social-emotional skills and participate in classroom-wide programs such as peace circles and morning yoga and breathing. Students who may need additional support work with smaller groups to further develop life skills. Further still is tier 3 of support for students who may need more individualized or tailored support. A similar tier system is in place for literacy skills.