LOGOS School in St. Louis, MO, is a therapeutic school that strives to meet students where they are and works to inspire new ways of thinking, coping and learning. Our highly individualized academic and therapeutic program provides support and care in a structured but flexible manner. By balancing both academic and therapeutic needs, our staff creates an environment where students can heal, grow, learn and thrive. Social-emotional learning is the focal point around which we build the foundation of our program.

What Is Social-Emotional Learning?

Social-emotional learning helps adolescents build self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management and responsible decision-making skills. These life skills increase the student’s ability to learn and help improve their attitude toward themselves and others, which leads to more positive social behaviors. Students taught using social-emotional learning techniques are less likely to be involved with bullying, physical aggression and other hostile behavior. Additionally, students’ academic achievement increases when this approach is used. Employers state that these life skills also foster the development of important qualities that lead to better job success.

How Does LOGOS School Provide Social-Emotional Learning?

At LOGOS School, our classroom teachers use social-emotional learning strategies to build a strong rapport with their students, create out-of-the-box learning environments and partner with students and their families to develop individualized plans. Teachers carefully choose their language during instruction and classroom discussion time, while also providing cooperative learning opportunities.

Our therapists use innovative clinical methods based on each child’s needs. They work to build life skills like self-management and resilience every day. Therapists work with their students to encourage self-reflection and self-assessment—both individually and in group therapy. In the therapeutic environment, they also work toward competence with these skills through modeling, practicing, providing feedback and coaching.

Does Social-Emotional Learning Work?

Our unique learning environment and 3-to-1 student to staff ratio makes social-emotional learning a reality in our program. One example of the countless success stories we have experienced with this approach involves one of our current high school seniors. When she was younger, she would easily become frustrated and anxious, which led to her yelling and storming out of situations. Her teachers and therapist recognized her behavior and worked together to provide opportunities for her to learn and practice self-management, social awareness and responsible decision-making skills. This helped her understand that there were other ways to cope with her frustration and anxiety. Today, she uses these life skills to calmly state her frustration and advocate for herself appropriately. She is now a role model for her peers and younger students.

The belief that hope and success are possible for every child is a core tenant of our approach, and social-emotional learning is one of the many tools we use to ensure that every student realizes their potential and fulfills their own hopes and dreams for a successful future.

LOGOS School is an independent academic and therapeutic school that serves the Greater St. Louis region. Our unique program and environment benefit students in grades 6 through 12 whose intellectual and emotional needs have not been met in the traditional classroom. Through individualized academics, innovative one-on-one counseling and group therapy, as well as parent involvement, we help our students navigate their daily life challenges, while preparing them for college or a career and inspiring hope for the future. Visit us online or call (314) 997-7002 to learn more about our school.

By: Dr. Kathy Fenger
Head of School