School Schedule Options

“How Do I Fit SOAR® into Our Schedule?”

Working SOAR into your schedule is likely the greatest roadblock to overcome. On this page, we explore:


Who Will Get This Instruction?

Your options typically fall into three categories:

The Whole School

Creating a culture of emotional intelligence will yield amazing results! To ensure success, a careful implementation plan must be developed to ensure the majority of your team members will be properly prepared to support the initiative. SOAR Curriculum Consultants are available to provide customized 1-1 consultations to help you match your goals, objectives, and special parameters of your school.

A Whole Grade Level

Some examples of whole-grade implementation include “first-year” students entering middle or high school. SOAR is an ideal component for a “middle school seminar” or “freshman academy” class.

One Class or a Specialized Group

SOAR is commonly taught in the following specialized classes: electives, special education, academic probation, gifted & talented, and after-school tutoring club/enrichment programs.


Example Schedules

SOAR can be implemented in the following formats:

See details below…


SOAR as a Full-Year Class

This option is usually selected when schools offer a year-round course of some kind. It might be a class that meets daily or weekly, such as: homeroom, “middle school academy,” “freshman seminar.”

Examples of full-year classes:

  • Create a SOAR seminar period. Seminar time is a daily time set aside for students to collect their thoughts, connect with teachers 1-1, reflect, and yes, learn social-emotional learning skills. 
  • Create a SOAR SEL course. Make SEL a full year course, required for all incoming 6th/9th graders.

Click here to download schedule examples.


SOAR as a Semester, Trimester, or Quarter Class

These classes are typically dedicated SEL classes. Usually, schools make this a “required” course for entering middle or high school students.

Examples of semester/trimester/quarter classes:

  • Replacing an elective credit.
  • Offering as an elective. Here’s an important tip: If you make this class an elective, do NOT call it social-emotional learning skills. Call it “Discovering Your Best Self,” or “Optimize Yourself for Success,” or you won’t get many students signing up, at least not initially. Once the class is rolling, students love it! But, when it is an optional elective, you have to get a group through the doors, first.
  • Academic probation/at-risk classes.
  • Special education classes, small groups, or 1-1 support.

Click here to download schedule examples.


Core Subject Class: SOAR Embedded Into the Curriculum

If this option is under consideration, you have a secondary question to consider: will the content be delivered explicitly by specific teachers (for example, all English teachers will be expected to teach study skills content) OR will you simply train teachers and have them teach the concepts and strategies as needed. (The latter option has some pit-falls. If this option is necessary, call us to help you work through them.)

Example of SOAR Embedded Into the Curriculum:

  • Combine social-emotional learning with a required English class. Teachers can work their way through the SEL and English curriculum over the course of a full year.

Click here to download schedule examples.


SOAR As a “Before” or “After School” Program

The upside to this option is that it is the most flexible. It is not as optimal as other options, however, since fewer students typically attend these classes and the strategies do not become part of the school culture.


SOAR As an “Independent Study” Program

The SOAR App is an ideal tool to use for an independent study program. The app covers the entire SOAR Social-Emotional Learning Skills curriculum, presented as a self-guided course. With narrations on every slide, how-to videos, interactive content, and assessments, students can learn the SOAR SEL curriculum at their own pace with little or no support from the teacher.

Educators: Implementation Tools

More information is available on the following pages:

If you have additional questions, please contact us.

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