“At Legacy Traditional Schools, we understand that it is not only about teaching students content,” Deputy Superintendent Patrick Grady said. “There is also a need to educate our students on how to become respectful and dedicated citizens.”
The Standards of Citizenship is a principle that Legacy Traditional Schools is founded on and has had a direct impact on the student culture across all sixteen campuses. The standard is embedded into everyday curriculum and each grading period is devoted to lessons of good citizenship, such as “Love of Country” and “Liberty.” These lessons place emphasis on themes like kindness and responsibility.
The standards encourage students to act as leaders by looking for opportunities to be of service. On campus, students assist each other by volunteering to clean the lunchroom and playground after recess.
According to Curriculum and Assessment Manager Stephanie Martinez, the citizenship standard is the “foundation of the school’s culture in its entirety.”
“One child may need to visit the nurse and instantly you have seven different students shooting hands in the air signaling for help,” said Martinez. “Students truly want to help, they all work together towards moral goals.”
Some Legacy campuses provide students with a “Buddy Bench,” a bench near the playground that’s welcome to students looking for a classmate to play with at recess or lunchtime. Other students are then encouraged to demonstrate good character by inviting the student to play with them.
“It’s really amazing to see students caring for one another without needing instruction to do so,” said Kristen Smith, principal, Legacy Traditional School – Avondale.
At the Avondale campus, this kindness among students continues throughout lunchtime.
“Similar to the Buddy Bench, we follow a policy that no one eats alone,” Smith said. “At lunch and snack time we make sure the students have their community and that everyone has someone to sit with.”
“Legacy’s codes of character can make a big difference and is so much more than just a ‘nice to have,’ Grady said. “When we promote things such as kindness among young people, it can directly reduce bullying, disruptive behavior and also help to increase social and emotional wellbeing.”
The citizenship displayed by Legacy students and each campus’ culture is what sets Legacy Traditional Schools and their students apart from the rest, empowering them to be successful citizens in their adult lives.