Character Education
Cultivating Mind and Heart
For generations, families have trusted Derby Academy to bring out the best in every child. We meet students where they are, challenging them to stretch beyond their comfort zones and providing a safe space to tackle big risks. By balancing academic rigor with character development, we show our students exactly how far they can go.
Our Philosophy
At Derby, we believe that academic excellence and emotional intelligence are inseparable. Our approach is defined by:
- Determined Growth: A commitment to improving both mind and heart through personalized attention.
- Safe Risk-Taking: Creating an environment where students feel empowered to face challenges and learn from setbacks.
- Inclusive Leadership: A dedicated faculty focused on guiding children to navigate a diverse world with an open and inclusive mindset.
- Personal Responsibility: Helping every student develop a strong moral compass and a sense of duty to their community.
Social Emotional Learning
We treat our Social Emotional Learning Curriculum (SEL) with the same importance as traditional subjects like math and literacy. This research-based, Derby-created framework ensures our students are as kind as they are capable. Each grade level at Derby receives weekly, or bi-weekly, SEL lessons within their homeroom or advisory periods ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. Lesson topics include: problem solving, including others, leadership, cooperating, respecting differences, getting calm, coping with worries, positive self-talk, and more. We also incorporate supplemental lessons including kindness, resilience, confidence, identity, integrity, and empathy. The goals of the lessons are to foster self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making: the five core competencies of a comprehensive social-emotional learning program. By prioritizing SEL we improve both mind and heart—cultivating these skills boosts academic performance, leadership skills, and overall well-being.
Foundation of Empathy
Teaching the essential skills of collaboration, problem-solving, and perspective-taking.
Proven Programs
Utilizing trusted methods such as Social Thinking, Open Circle, Second Step, Be Good, Random Acts of Kindness, Common Sense Media, and The Social Institute to foster a deep sense of belonging.
Customized Curriculum
In addition to evidence-based curricula, lessons are developed in-house by faculty and school counselors to specifically address the needs of our unique student body.
The Social Institute
The Social Institute is a national leader in curriculum designed to help students navigate the complex intersection of well-being, social media, and technology. Through #WinAtSocial, their gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families with skills necessary to navigate their social world—in the classroom and beyond, both online and offline—in healthy, high-character ways.
Portrait of a Graduate: Empathetic Upstander
An empathetic upstander at Derby Academy stands up for what is right with honesty, compassion, and moral courage. They speak out against injustice and inspire others through their commitment to inclusivity, fostering a community where everyone feels they belong. Derby Academy ensures that students across all grade levels graduate as culturally competent citizens.