How to Choose an SEL Program for Your School

Choosing an SEL program for your school can be difficult when there are so many different approaches available. A program that works well somewhere else isn’t necessarily going to address what your students are dealing with right now.

Before you start comparing programs, take a look at what’s actually happening in your school. Maybe teachers are struggling to create consistent expectations from one classroom to the next. Perhaps you’ve noticed that certain students need more support than a school-wide program can provide.

Knowing what you want to change gives you a much better starting point for choosing a program that will actually be useful.

For more consistency across the school

If students are hearing different messages about respect depending on where they are or who their teacher is, 12 Ways to Act With Respect can give everyone a shared starting point.

The lessons are designed for grades 4–8 and can be introduced gradually, with the whole school focusing on the same idea at the same time.

For more student leadership

MAP STARS puts older students in the lead, giving them the chance to work with younger students through movement, roleplay and conversation.

Instead of simply talking about leadership, students actually get to practise it. At the same time, younger students get to learn from peers they may already look up to.

For students who struggle with emotional regulation

Knowing how you should react and actually doing it in the moment are two very different things.

Our 12-Week Life Skills Curriculum gives students regular opportunities to look at their reactions and build better self-control over time. It can be used with an entire classroom or with smaller groups that need additional support.

For students struggling with self-worth

Sometimes the problem isn’t conflict with another student. It’s the way a student talks to themselves.

Why Am I Always Picking on Myself? helps students recognize negative self-talk and begin looking at themselves differently. It’s particularly useful for small groups or more targeted SEL support.

You Don’t Have to Solve Everything at Once

It can be tempting to look for one SEL program that covers every challenge your school is dealing with, but that usually isn’t necessary. A program will be much more useful when there’s a clear reason you’ve chosen it and staff understand what you’re hoping it will help with.

Start with what’s coming up most often in your school right now. If students are struggling with conflict, begin there. If teachers are having a hard time creating consistent expectations between classrooms, that may be the better place to put your attention.

You’ll probably find that your needs change over time, too. What makes sense for your students this year may look different next year, and that’s okay. You can add to what’s working, change what isn’t, and gradually build an SEL approach that makes sense for your school.