Empowering Hearts and Minds
At BC High, fostering the holistic development of our students is at the heart of our mission. Our comprehensive wellness and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program for grades 7-12 equips students with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges, build meaningful relationships, and practice self-care. Rooted in our Ignatian identity, this program ensures our approach to health and wellness feels uniquely tailored to our community.
Wellness is integrated seamlessly into every aspect of student life, including advisory programs, the house system, co-curriculars, and intramurals. Through a dynamic curriculum and a variety of self-care practices, students are empowered to take ownership of their well-being. This holistic approach not only supports their personal growth but also strengthens the sense of community that defines the BC High experience.
Health & Wellness Programming
A committee of faculty and staff work to implement a comprehensive sequence of wellness and social-emotional learning (SEL) programming designed to help our boys navigate the challenges of being young men with confidence and resilience. Rooted in our Ignatian identity and tailored to the unique needs of our community, we aim to foster personal growth, emotional intelligence, and a sense of purpose in every student.
Arrupe Division
Middle School - Grades 7 & 8
- Basic understanding of organization techniques and executive functioning strategies
- Students create a system that works for them in order to meet academic expectations and reduce stress surrounding academics
- Develop a sense of belonging in a new school community
- Understanding what stress is and how they experience it
- How to manage and prevent stress in healthy ways
- How to use social media safely
- Strategies to avoid conflict
- Age appropriate instruction
- Understanding the BC High handbook policy
- Age appropriate conversations
- The importance of positive peer relationships in our community
- What does it mean to be anti-sexist? Anti-racist?
- Foster a culture of inclusivity
- Uphold Catholic and Jesuit ideals
High School
Grades 9 - 12
Freshman Year:
- Basic physiology of stress and anxiety
- How to recognize stress and anxiety
- Skill building to tolerate stress in healthy ways
- Building healthy habits – sleep, nutrition, exercise
- Introduction to resources for support – how to find an adjustment counselor, outside therapy, etc.
Sophomore Year:
- Increased depth re: education on physiology of stress and anxiety
- Human moods and emotions
- Skill building to tolerate stress in healthy ways
- Strengthening healthy habits – sleep, nutrition, exercise
- Reminder of where to find support – how to find an adjustment counselor, outside therapy, etc.
Freshman Year:
- How to safely use social media
- Strategies to avoid conflict
- Sports betting
Sophomore Year:
- How to safely use social media
- Strategies to avoid conflict
- Increased emphasis on dangers of sexting/online extortion, sports betting
Junior & Senior Year:
- How to safely use social media
- Strategies to avoid conflict
- Increased emphasis on dangers of sexting/online extortion
Freshman - Senior Year
- Age appropriate instruction – vaping, zin, alcohol use
- How to get help for self or a peer
- Understanding MIAA regulations and social hosting
Freshman - Junior Year:
- Peer relationships
- Romantic relationships
- Age-appropriate conversation re: consent
Senior Year:
- Peer relationships
- Romantic relationships
- Consent, sexual harassment and assault
Freshman Year:
- What does it mean to be anti-sexist? Anti-racist?
- Foster a culture of inclusivity
- Uphold Catholic and Jesuit ideals
Sophomore Year:
- What does it mean to be anti-sexist? Anti-racist?
- Culture of inclusivity
- Catholic, Jesuit identity of our place
- Culture of self-awareness and reflection
- Avoiding the “sophomore slump,” beginning to see yourself as a leader
Junior & Senior Year:
- What does it mean to be anti-sexist? Anti-racist?
- Culture of inclusivity
- Catholic, Jesuit identity of our place
- Culture of self-awareness and reflection
- Leadership development
Junior Year:
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Body image
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Skill building to tolerate stress in healthy ways
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Strengthening healthy habits – sleep, nutrition, exercise
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Decision Making
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Reminder of where to find support – how to find an adjustment counselor, outside therapy, etc.
- Financial Literacy
- Building healthy habits
- Adaptability and Resilience
- Reminder of where to find support – how to find an adjustment counselor, outside therapy, etc.
Curriculum
Health and wellness classes are offered in grades 7-12 at BC High and are essential to fostering students' physical, mental, and emotional well-being, equipping them with the knowledge and habits necessary to lead balanced, healthy, and purpose-driven lives.
- Physical Education: exercise and nutrition
- Health: managing stress, anxiety, and emotions, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships with others, friendships, boundaries, masculinity and where it appears in social media, human connections and screen time, nutrition, sleep, exercise, puberty, healthy habits, and risky behaviors
- Core Curriculum: finding accurate sources of information, slants of media objectives, helping students understand the appropriate use of AI
Students have the opportunity to elect courses in health & wellness in addition to the graduation requirement.