Teaching is about so much more than just facts and figures.

Since its inception, Kelowna Christian School (KCS) has aimed to educate children physically, spiritually and academically from preschool through to graduation. 

In the past two years, KCS has been investing a great deal of time into the social and emotional learning of its teachers and students with the goal of teaching youth important skills that encourage them to pursue personal well-being, long after they’ve left the classroom. 

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Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The CASEL framework used in KCS classrooms promotes social and emotional learning (SEL), a developmental process that allows people of all ages to acquire and apply knowledge, skills, and healthy attitudes toward themselves and others. 

SEL is integral to the formation of a healthy self-identity, effective management of emotions, goal setting, establishing healthy relationships and making caring decisions, among other attributes. 

British Columbia is known for its leading research in the area of SEL and well-being. 

At KCS, teachers have engaged in professional development and learning focused on supporting students' SEL in and out of the classroom. They focus on teaching students strategies to develop their skills in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship building and responsible decision-making. 

Students at KCS also learn through class activities, chapel topics on identity and guest speaker presentations that cover healthy habits, social media and internet safety. 

At KCS it is important that our students are able to recognize their emotions; noticing, naming and nurturing them. 

Each KCS campus focuses on different aspects of SEL, with the elementary campus highlighting strategies to support student emotional regulation.

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SEL at the middle school level

At the middle school level, students and staff work through the Open Parachute program which utilizes a combination of videos from psychologists, peer stories and open discussion to promote best engagement and retention. 

Topics addressed include insecurities, consent, bullying, diversity, boundaries, body image, stereotypes, trauma reactions, peer inclusion and exclusion, overcoming stereotypes, self-esteem, anxiety and resilience. 

Middle school chapel focuses on identity. 

The teachers aim to communicate values and messages such as:

• Your real identity comes from what is on the inside; you are more than just what people see on the outside. 

• Humans have a physical being (body and brain) and a spiritual being (spirit and mind). When we think of our identity, we often just think about the physical part of who we are. 

• Our sense of identity needs to come from God Himself (an all-loving, all-knowing, all-powerful Creator who made you unique with a purpose).

• When you make a thing your identity (marks, your body, relationships, pleasure, sports, popularity), it stops being good and starts to crush you.

• Your real identity is grounded in God’s love for you. He proved it by coming to Earth as a human being and dying for you.

• You are being called to join God’s kingdom in your own unique way: personality, God-given gifts, experiences and passions being shaped by the Lord to become more like Jesus!

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SEL at the high school level

In high school, KCS teaches students how service can impact their personal well-being.

Research has shown that students who are engaged in service learning are able to deepen their understanding of others in real-world community experiences, so high school timetables at KCS allow students to serve once a month in their local community.

Students serve the community through partnerships at care homes, and community centers. 

KCS also has a service 12 class that focuses on loving our community through a partnership with Hands in Service, serving in a variety of homes twice a week. 

Enroll

At KCS, caring for the whole child and teaching with the heart in mind is at the root of everything they do.

Kelowna Christian School is currently accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year.

Visit their website to access the application form, learn more about the process, and take the first step to form a better future for your family!