Culture and Climate

Welcome to the Foster School community, where culture and climate are intentionally designed to ensure every child feels a profound sense of belonging. At our new elementary school, we believe that a thriving learning environment begins with seeing, valuing, and honoring the unique cultural backgrounds and voices of every student and family. By anchoring our school in culturally responsive PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), we shift from traditional compliance to a community-centered approach where expectations are co-constructed, respectful, and inclusive. Paired with restorative mindset training for both students and staff, we cultivate resilience, empathy, and a growth mindset. Together, we aren't just building a school; we are nurturing a joyful, equitable ecosystem where every young learner is empowered to bring their whole self to school, feel deeply connected, and truly soar.

As students begin the academic year at Foster, all students move together through Phoenix Flight School. During this time teachers explicitly teach classroom and community routines. Flight school is an orientation to the new grade level and school wide expectations. Teachers and students use the SOAR matrix to co-construct classroom norms and agreements, defining what SOARing looks like in their individual classrooms.

SOARing expectations for...	Stewardship	Ownership	Achievement	Responsiveness
Arrival
Hallways
Classrooms
Bathrooms
Lunchroom
Recess
Assemblies
Dismissal

At the end of the first two weeks of Phoenix Flight School, students will emerge with new friends, a buddy classroom, and a shared sense of belonging at Foster School. This lays a firm emotional foundation for the school year.

For upper elementary students in grades 3-5, growth in additional character formation aspirations are expected. Students are not just expected to soar. They are expected to SOAR HIGH.

Helpfulness
Integrity
Global Mindedness
Honoring your heritage

Culture is not only what you come with, it is also what you create. Together this set of values defines the collaborative learning community that we build together at Foster School.