Saint Leo the Great
Character Development & SEL Program
Saint Leo the Great School is committed to developing students of character. Saint Leo's has a comprehensive offering of character education programs. Below is a list of components that support our school’s mission to encourage our students to be active participants in their commitment to God, kindness to each other, and pursuit of knowledge.
Character Strong
CharacterStrong provides research-based 5 through 8th grade social & emotional learning curricula and professional learning services that positively impact lives.
Be Kind: Social skills like listening, friendship, solving conflicts, and leadership.
These skills are taught alongside Empathy, Respect, & Cooperation
Be Strong: Skills that help students focus, stay organized, and set goals.
These skills are taught alongside Responsibility, Courage, & Perseverance
Be Well: Skills that help students handle their emotions and deal with stress.
These skills are taught alongside Gratitude, Honesty, & Creativity
Grades 6-8th will have a separate, more advanced social emotional learning curriculum through Character Strong. The middle school curriculum was created to support school communities as they engage in the work of preparing young people to thrive in the 21st century. The research supports the effectiveness of this content to increase student’s academic success and college & career readiness. The lessons focus on developing skills and mindsets around building positive habits, understanding our emotions, improving teamwork, and increasing empathy. One of the key parts of nearly every lesson is the “CharacterDare” for Middle School students. These are invitations near the end of most lessons to put the content that they are learning into action in the real world.
LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Drugs)
Each week a police officer meets with our 5th grade students to present the LEAD curriculum. Students discuss the dangers of drugs in the 21st century as well as learning strategies about ways to stay drug free. This partnership with the police helps build healthy help-seeking behaviors and strengthens their community engagement and outreach.
Law Enforcement Against Drugs (L.E.A.D.) is a non profit (501C3) organization, supported by dedicated police officers, committed to protecting our youth and communities from the proliferation of drugs, drug related crimes, peer to peer/cyber bullying and violence. We achieve our goals by collaborating with educators, community leaders, families and L.E.A.D. support organizations.
6th Grade Frienship Builders
In this engaging elective, 6th grade students will learn the skills to build and maintain strong, healthy friendships. Through interactive discussions, role-plays, and reflection activities, students will explore what it means to be a supportive friend, how to communicate effectively, and how to resolve conflicts respectfully. They’ll practice setting boundaries, using “I-statements,” listening with empathy, and navigating tricky peer situations with confidence. By the end of the course, students will leave with practical strategies they can use every day to strengthen their friendships, include others, and create a positive community where everyone feels they belong.
Lion Strong
LionStrong is a unique 7th grade elective designed to help students strengthen their character, build resilience, and reflect on the challenges facing today’s youth. Meeting weekly, one 7th grade homeroom per trimester participates in this engaging program. Through activities such as character education reflection journals, art-based projects inspired by the movie Inside Out, and a self-directed project on an issue impacting young people today, students gain valuable tools for mental health awareness, stress management, and healthy coping strategies. By exploring emotions, practicing mindfulness, and discussing real-life challenges, students learn how to care for themselves and support others. LionStrong empowers our students to find their voice, develop empathy, and become leaders of positive change in their school community.
Classroom Lessons
Throughout the year, our school counselor will visitthe 5th-8th grade classrooms to teach social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons. These interactive sessions help students build skills in managing emotions, making good choices, showing empathy, and strengthening relationships—supporting both their academic and personal growth.
These are just a few of the character development projects that we have at Saint Leo the Great. Be sure to check our our website and social media accounts for daily updates on all the great working being done at SLG!
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