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A Self-Directed, Competency-Based Approach to Social-Emotional Learning

The “Compass Phase System” is designed to help guide students’ social-emotional work (“Badge Work”) and growth

Context

At Valor, students in grades 5-8 work through a self-directed, competency-based Compass Phase System curriculum towards social-emotional growth. The curriculum consists of seven phases within the Compass Phase System: Initial Commitment, Commitment, Exploration, Responsibility, Community, Leadership, and Service. Each phase represents a step towards comprehensive student development within the context of the Compass Habits and Disciplines.


Students advance through phases by completing habit-based experiences via playlists. Each experience is known as Badge Work. Each Badge Work experience involves intra- or interpersonal work that helps students achieve goals aligned with Compass Habits and Disciplines. Each phase involves experiences mapped to each of the Compass Disciplines - True North, Sharp Mind, Big Heart, Noble Purpose, and Aligned Actions - along with relationship work, community service, and End-of-Phase reflections. Badge Work often requires that students present their work to their team, or “Pride,” during Circle, in order to complete the badge.

Faculty also go through a version of the Compass Phase System, embodying and modeling their personal inner Compass growth and trajectory throughout the school year. This process also serves as professional development for Pride Leaders (mentors) as this increases their familiarity and comfort with the Badge Work they facilitate for their students in student Circle.

Student Does

  • Works on self-directed Badge Work during Compass Class, Pride Time, and outside of school.
  • Tracks progress on Phase Trackers.
  • Works with mentor, Compass Teachers, and out-of-school supports for guidance.
  • Supports peers’ comprehensive development through Badge Work and Circle.

Teacher Does

  • Mentors students on Badge Work within the Compass Phase System.
  • Works on their own adult Badge Work and participates in faculty Circle.

Strategy Resources


Badge Work at Valor Collegiate Academies

Scholars progress through the competency-based phases in Valor's social-emotional learning model, Compass. Learn More

Phase (Badge) Renewal Boy's Circle at Valor Collegiate Academies

Scholars support one another in their social-emotional progression through Circle. Learn More

Compass Foundational Framework at Valor Collegiate Academies

Valor's social-emotional learning model is based on their Compass, a human development model. Learn More

Compass Phase System at Valor Collegiate Academies

Scholars progress through the competency-based phases in Valor's social-emotional learning model, Compass. Learn More

Scholar Phase System Scope & Sequence at Valor Collegiate Academies

Scholars progress through the competency-based phases in Valor's social-emotional learning model, Compass. Learn More

Pride Coaching Tool at Valor Collegiate Academies

Faculty coach scholars and track their progress through the competency-based phases in Valor's social-emotional learning... Learn More

Screenshot of a spreadsheet showing tracking and coaching for a Pride. The spreadsheet shows the current phase of a project, whether or not the project is on track, coaching notes (such as “Finished BH, on SM, turned in CS, done with SM, presenting NP 9/1), initial markers (Sharp Mind, Noble Purpose, Mastery Markers, Phase Pres), and Commitment markers (Badges 1-5, Mastery Markers, Phase Pres)
Digital Links for Badge Work at Valor Collegiate Academies

Scholars work through various activities and challenges to progress through the competency-based phases in Valor's... Learn More

Phase System Mastery Markers at Valor Collegiate Academies

Scholars must demonstrate mastery of specific skills to progress through the competency-based phases in Valor's... Learn More