Freedom Crossing Academy successfully implemented a schoolwide social-emotional learning program by embedding SEL skills within their school’s PBIS behavior rubric. For SEL, Freedom Crossing follows the Capturing Kids Heart model and serves as a national model school.
The “FCA Way” are the school’s PBIS Behavior Expectations. They stand for Focused on Safety, Committed to Responsibility, and Always Respectful. This aligns with the first three categories on the school’s behavior rubric. Teacher’s review these expectations during morning meetings and they also include it on their FCA morning news show. It is embedded in everything the school does.
The school’s mission is “Falcons Take F.L.I.G.H.T.” and they have included these six characteristics into their behavior rubric. FLIGHT stands for Focus, Leadership, Imagination, Grit, Heart, and Team. When a student exhibits one of these characteristics, the school reinforces it by awarding points. School Administration believes that alignment is key to a successful school-wide implementation which is why everything they do goes back to what’s on their rubric -their behavior expectations, school mission, and vision.