CORE LESSONS FOR HIGH SCHOOL
High School SEL Curriculum
Core Lessons gives educators a practical way to help high school students strengthen the personal and interpersonal skills they need in school, relationships, and life beyond graduation.
Lessons combine activities, discussion, and reflection around topics such as relationships, communication, decision making, resilience, self-awareness, and personal responsibility. Each lesson is ready to use, easy to follow, and designed specifically for high school students.
There are no complicated materials or scripts to follow. Teachers have enough structure to feel prepared while still having the flexibility to make the conversation their own.
LEARNING THROUGH EXPERIENCE
More than something to talk about.
Core Lessons are designed to get high school students involved. Rather than only talking about a concept, students have opportunities to experience it, think about it, and consider how it applies to their own lives.
That might mean working through a challenge together, examining a different perspective, navigating disagreement, making a decision, or discussing something that matters to them.
The experiences are simple by design. What happens during them, and the conversations that follow, are where much of the learning takes place.
FOR EDUCATORS
Practical by design
Teachers and counselors are capable of creating meaningful experiences for students. What they often don't have is extra time to find activities, develop discussion questions, gather supplies, and build lessons from scratch.
Core Lessons provides that structure.
Lessons are simply formatted, require little preparation, and use minimal supplies. Facilitator notes, presentation slides, and discussion questions provide guidance without telling educators exactly what to say. High School lessons are designed to fit into 30-45 minutes, making them practical to use during advisory, homeroom, or other designated class time.
Teachers bring their own experience, personality, and relationships with students to the lesson. Core Lessons gives them a reliable place to start.
GRADES 9-12
Made for high school
High school students are quick to recognize when something feels forced, scripted, or too young for them. We've kept that in mind throughout the curriculum.
Activities and discussions are designed to respect where students are developmentally. Lessons give students opportunities to think for themselves, manage pressure and emotions, navigate relationships, consider different perspectives, set goals, and take greater responsibility for their choices.
Students can participate without being expected to disclose personal information or share more than they're comfortable with.
SIMPLE STRUCTURE
How a Core Lesson works
While activities vary from lesson to lesson, the basic process is simple.
20+ YEARS
Developed through real experience
The Core Project has worked directly with students and educators for more than 20 years. Core Lessons reflects what we’ve learned during that time.
High school students know when a conversation feels forced. We’ve learned which activities get them involved, which questions lead to good discussion, and how to introduce meaningful topics without asking students to share more than they’re comfortable sharing.
Lessons have been used, adjusted, and refined through years of working with real groups of students.
Our approach is also informed by research on experiential learning, supportive adult relationships, student development, and school connectedness.
CORE LESSONS SUBSCRIPTION
Everything included with Core Lessons
Each Core Lessons subscription includes four years of ready-to-use high school curriculum with 25 lessons per year, unlimited educator access, digital and print-ready lessons, assessment tools, video tutorials, implementation resources, and ongoing support.
Want additional support? In-person Core Lessons training gives staff an opportunity to experience the curriculum firsthand and strengthen their facilitation skills.
GET A SAMPLE
Preview a High School Lesson
See what a Core Lesson actually looks like. Fill out the form to preview a complete lesson and get a better feel for the experience, format, and approach.