Taking Time to SOAR: Building Student Wellness and Belonging at RCMS
At Roberto Clemente Middle School, supporting the “whole child” is more than a motto—it’s built into the school day. Through a 30-minute daily period called SOAR, which stands for Self-Management, Organization, Action and Reflection, students have time dedicated to social-emotional learning (SEL), academic support and personal growth.
“As an International Baccalaureate World School, we seek to build the whole child, beyond just academics,” said Elizabeth Gall, Clemente’s International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Coordinator. “SOAR gives us a great opportunity for some of this work to occur in many different facets.”
The time also allows 8th grade students to complete a community project. “They investigate a problem in the school or community, plan a response, take action and then reflect on their efforts,” Gall added.
Each day brings a different focus and activity:
- Monday & Friday – Club Time: Students choose from more than 30 clubs based on their interests, including sports, cheer, art, gardening, Dungeons & Dragons, Student Government Association, yearbook and more.
- Tuesday – SOAR Skills/SEL Lessons: Lessons address social-emotional learning and Approaches to Learning skills, focusing on topics like safety, respect and communication.
- Wednesday – Community Circles: Students and teachers come together for open dialogue, reflection and community-building activities.
- Thursday – Academic Support: A structured time for students to complete assignments, check grades and seek help from teachers.
“This is dedicated time to support the overall student in non-academic content that is also important,” said Charles Feamster, assistant principal and magnet coordinator. “It’s a collaborative effort pioneered by team leaders and staff.”
When staff and students returned from virtual learning, Clemente educators recognized the need for dedicated time to reengage students with each other and with staff. Over the last five years, SOAR has continued to evolve to meet students’ changing needs.
“The main goal is generalized mental health and awareness,” said Bridget Blades, 8th grade science teacher and team leader. “Mental health can impact the whole body and when our brain is not ready to learn, a student is not learning. SOAR helps mental health and foster positive relationships with staff and students. We notice that students seem to self-manage themselves better when they have space to do so.”
Students agree. When asked about SOAR, they shared:
- “Our school is unique.”
- “It gives you a break in the day.”
- “You get to select something with your friends.”
- “It’s a nice time to get some work done.”
