Human Development
The Human Development Program at ASFG is designed to provide students with essential life skills, emotional intelligence, and a strong sense of self-awareness that will support their well-being throughout their developmental stages. This program integrates key areas such as Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Bullying Prevention, Addiction Prevention, and Sexuality Education, tailored to meet the evolving needs of students at different stages of their growth, from early childhood to adolescence.
The Human Development program is guided by our Social Emotional Learning vision:
ASFG is a thriving, caring, and just community. We thrive because we understand our emotions, thoughts and actions and can manage them to cultivate inner strength, empowering habits, good judgment, and well-being. We care for each other by being empathetic and respectful, celebrating both our similarities and differences, and ensuring all members feel valued and belong. As a just community, we act when there is a need and collaborate to better our world.
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning at ASFG is guided by the CASEL framework that outlines five key areas of competencies: self-awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Some skills in these areas are explored throughout all grade levels, such as emotional regulation, conflict resolution, intercultural competency and respecting differences. In addition to these, each section focuses on different areas that relate specifically to the developmental stage of their students. For example, in the early grades, students are introduced to recognizing their emotions, developing empathy, and being a good friend. Middle school students engage in more advanced SEL, learning how to manage stress, set goals, and build resilience. By high school, the focus shifts to developing leadership, empathy in diverse social settings, and preparing for the social and emotional complexities of adulthood, fostering a strong foundation for mental health.
Bullying Prevention
Our Bullying Prevention program is guided by the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program which emphasizes the importance of building positive social norms and common understanding among all community members: parents, staff, and students. In early childhood, we focus on teaching prosocial behaviors like kindness, sharing, and understanding others' feelings. In elementary, students learn how to recognize bullying and how to use their bystander power to intervene if they witness bullying. In middle and high school, the skills of recognizing, responding to and reporting bullying are deepened, and the program expands to cover topics like online behavior, social media interactions, and how to address more complex peer dynamics, ensuring students can navigate interpersonal challenges responsibly and respectfully.
Addiction Prevention
Addiction prevention education is vital at every stage of a student's development. In the early grades, the focus is on making healthy choices and understanding the effects of screen time, caffeine, and sugar. In middle school, students explore peer pressure and the risks associated with substances like alcohol and tobacco. By high school, the program emphasizes decision-making, stress management, and the social aspects of addiction, preparing students to make informed, healthy choices.
To enhance the program, the school partners with Pathways for Prevention, a U.S.-based global organization specializing in substance misuse prevention. Each year, specialists visit the school to work with students from 5th to 12th grade, delivering lessons and assemblies on topics such as addiction, delaying alcohol use, and the risks of vaping and marijuana. Additionally, they offer workshops for parents and equip staff with tools to address classroom challenges related to substance misuse.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education
The Sexuality Education program at ASFG is designed to align with Mexican, American and international educational standards, offering a comprehensive and developmentally-appropriate curriculum that reflects the school’s core values. The program focuses on fostering students’ understanding of human sexuality and relationships by integrating biological, emotional, and social dimensions in a meaningful way.
For younger students, the program emphasizes body awareness, self-respect, and personal boundaries, laying the foundation for healthy interpersonal interactions. As students progress, they are gradually introduced to more complex topics, such as puberty, human reproduction, consent, and the elements of healthy relationships. For older adolescents, the curriculum expands to cover sexual health, the emotional dynamics of relationships, sexual orientation, gender identity, and responsible decision-making. These lessons aim to empower students to make informed, responsible choices as they transition into adulthood. Throughout all grade levels, the program addresses sexual abuse prevention in an age-appropriate manner, ensuring students are equipped with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves and others.