Character development is not an “add-on” at Hyde, it is the foundation upon which our college-ready curriculum is built. While many schools support character growth, what distinguishes Hyde is our holistic approach to character development and our distinct character-building practices.
Also, while our primary goal is the development of each child, our experience has taught us that all constituents, including students, families, and teachers, must strive for personal growth in order for Hyde’s students to achieve it. For this reason, 100% of our community members regularly participate in Hyde’s character program, from family members to school directors to faculty.
Our collective effort, authentic partnerships with families, and consistent self-reflection attend to the greater humanity of the children we serve, something we believe other urban schools too often miss.
School Meetings convene the entire school to learn about an element of the Hyde philosophy, to strengthen the school’s character-culture, to celebrate success with one another, and to respond to current events. This meeting is an opportunity for students and faculty to reflect on the progress and direction of the larger school community, and is led by a consistent school leader.
Discovery Groups create a physically and emotionally safe place for students to grow in their understanding of themselves. Under the guidance of a consistent faculty mentor, these small groups develop a sense of trust, support, and challenge among our students. Discovery Groups promote students’ self-reflective skills, meta-cognitive thinking, and personal growth based on a cycle of action and reflection.
Seminars are a powerful tool for personal growth. Typically utilized in Discovery Groups, we use the Seminar structure to examine our personal habits, attitudes, and emotions, in an effort to become the best version of ourselves. In Seminars we have the opportunity to share our thoughts and feelings with one another, and we support each other through constructive feedback based on personal experience.