Open Circle is a grade-differentiated social and emotional learning program that provides a unique, whole-school approach for your school's K-5 social and emotional learning needs.

Our mission is to work with school communities to help children become ethical people, contributing citizens and successful learners. By helping schools implement Open Circle, we foster the development of relationships that support safe, caring and respectful learning communities of children and adults.

Open Circle’s Core Values

• Social and Emotional Learning and Development
• Learning through Relationships
• Identity and Inclusion
• Safe and Caring Environments
• Youth Leadership and Development
• Growth and Innovation
• Integration of Research, Theory and Practice
• Collaboration and Shared Leadership

Benefits of Open Circle

• Provides a common vocabulary, strategies and approaches, and develops shared expectations for all members of the school community
• Supplies a teacher toolbox of preventative classroom management skills and ready-to-use resources
• Teaches children processes for quickly settling down and ways to resolve their own problems
• Fosters a caring, respectful climate in the classroom, among classmates and throughout the school
• Helps create a cooperative learning environment and a happier and safer school community
• Saves time and money in the long run by addressing discipline and safety problems as they arise

Evidence-Based and Nationally-Recognized

Research has shown that Open Circle increases students' pro-social skills, decreases violence and other problem behaviors, and supports an easier transition to middle school.

Schools can fund Open Circle through state and federal grants because it is a research-based program with clear evidence of effectiveness. Open Circle is listed in the U.S. Department of Education's Expert Panel Guidebook of Exemplary and Promising Safe, Disciplined, and Drug-Free Schools Programs and has been designated as a "select" program by CASEL.