Hello Parents!
Student Success Time is a very important "class" that occurs twice each week—on Tuesday and Friday—and is designed to support not just academics, but also personal growth and life skills. The schedule looks like this:

• Tuesday: Climate/Culture Lesson & Advisory Time
• Friday: Climate/Culture Lesson & Clubs

Why It Matters

Research shows that intentional time devoted to life skills development and personal growth learning has a direct impact on student success. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), students in programs that intentionally focus on these areas experience an 11% increase in academic achievement on average. Likewise, Gallup research reveals that when students feel connected to an adult at school and set meaningful goals, they are twice as likely to be engaged in their learning.

Rolling Student Success Time Teachers

One unique feature of our SST program is that it “rolls”—meaning your child will stay with the same teacher for all three years of middle school. This allows for stronger relationships, deeper mentoring, and consistent support as students move through the challenges and growth of adolescence. Research shows that students who have sustained relationships with trusted adults in school are significantly more likely to develop resilience, maintain higher grades, and stay engaged in learning.

Climate & Culture Lessons

Our lessons are centered around the Portrait of a Baron Competencies—Adaptability, Communication, Collaboration, Empathy, Critical Thinking, Integrity, and Perseverance. These mirror the skills identified by the World Economic Forum as essential for future careers. Students who practice these skills consistently are not only better prepared academically but also for life beyond the classroom.

We also incorporate Gallup Strengths, helping students discover and build on their natural talents. Studies show that students who apply their strengths are 30x more likely to be engaged at school and 7x more likely to say they are thriving.

Advisory Time

Advisory is a key part of SST. During this time, students meet with their teacher to review grades, set semester goals, and track progress. Research indicates that students who regularly set and monitor goals are 42% more likely to earn A’s and B’s than those who don’t. Advisory also strengthens the bond between student and teacher, one of the most powerful predictors of student motivation and persistence.

Club Time

Fridays feature Club Time, where students select a fun focus every 9 weeks—ranging from Legos, silent reading, or sports to hair care or service projects like United Way. This opportunity allows middle schoolers to explore new interests, develop skills, and connect with peers. Studies have found that students involved in enrichment and extracurricular activities are 20% more likely to graduate and often gain stronger leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

In Summary

Student Success Time is much more than an extra class—it’s a proven investment in your child’s academic growth, personal development, and future success. By combining long-term teacher mentoring, life skills lessons, goal setting, and opportunities for exploration, we are equipping students with the tools they need to thrive now and in the years ahead.

We ​care about your student -- and I wanted you to know! 

Carrie Wisehart
Principal