The five TAS values of Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Kindness, and Courage guide every aspect of life in the Lower School. Lower School faculty and staff explicitly teach, model, and practice the values throughout every school day in every classroom. We inspire our students to make good choices and uphold the values. The ongoing theme of “Best Self, Best Work, Best World” leads to clear, lofty yet attainable expectations for all.
In the Lower School, we believe that effective character education must involve both the School and the family. Both parents and their children sign a Values Pledge which confirms the community’s commitment to these important tenets.
The Responsive Classroom (RC) approach reinforces and validates great teaching, is research based, increases student engagement, and strengthens our sense of community. The RC approach strengthens our Character Education program as it promotes respectful, kind, and positive school community while addressing students’ social-emotional needs.
A key component of Responsive Classroom is the practice of Morning Meeting. In the Lower School, students have a consistent time and place every day to practice and explore social skills and to merge social, emotional and academic learning. Morning Meeting creates a sense of belonging for all students and nurtures empathy by giving children a chance to take care of others. All specialist teachers, counselors and principals also participate in these important meetings.