Open Circle is a comprehensive, grade-differentiated social and emotional learning program for grades Kindergarten through 5, for children, their teachers, administrators, other school staff, parents and other caregivers.

Since its inception in 1987, Open Circle has reached nearly half a million children and trained over 10,000 educators. Open Circle is currently used in over 275 schools across nearly 100 urban and suburban communities across the Northeast. Open Circle is a program of the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College.

The core of the program is the Open Circle Curriculum, which integrates research findings in child development with the best teaching practices. Central to the year-long curriculum, teachers hold two 15-minute Open Circle meetings each week. At these meetings, children move their chairs into an “open circle,” always leaving one chair empty as a symbol that there is always room for another person.

Open Circle provides programming for your entire school community. View a diagram of our whole school approach.

Wondering how Open Circle can be introduced to your school?
View Open Circle's Implementation Model.