Sycamore JHS is a Community School. This means we acknowledge our students in their entirety and prioritize and support their growth and development in all areas, including their mental health and well-being. This is what it means when we say Community Schooling is a “whole-child” approach to education. We recognize that our students are human beings. What we want for our students is the same that we want for our children at home- the very best. For them to feel loved and seen and know they are important and smart. For them to get the best opportunities and quality education.That is what we strive to provide at Sycamore. This approach to education is backed by a growing body of research from the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and other developmental and learning sciences, known as “the Science of Learning and Development”. This research tells an optimistic story about the potential of all learners. This evidence shows that the brain continues to develop throughout life as a product of relationships, environments, and experiences . SoLD is what informs our practices at Sycamore, from discipline, to how adults interact with kids, to the lessons we design