Our Vision
A focus on children’s well-being
Imagine a city—and a nation—where every child attends a school where their well-being is not just a priority, but the central focus. Envision schools that actively counteract the negative impacts of stress and trauma by creating environments where every student feels safe, connected, and empowered to develop the social, emotional, and academic skills essential for success. The Whole Child Model brings this vision to life.
Developed through a partnership between Transcend and Van Ness Elementary, a District of Columbia Public School, the Whole Child Model is rooted in the understanding that a child's academic success is intrinsically linked to their overall well-being. Grounded in learning science, we firmly believe that academic excellence and holistic development can and must go hand in hand.
To date, schools across the country—including California, the District of Columbia, Tennessee, Texas, and Minnesota—have embraced the Whole Child Model, with promising results. Our approach has garnered national recognition including being featured on the Today Show, Forbes, and the 74.