Core Life
+ Leadership

Williston’s Student Life Program is a scaffolded, four-year life and leadership curriculum that engages students with relevant, developmentally appropriate learning about themselves and others. Focusing on unique themes for each class each year, students learn skills that build organization, self-awareness, character, decision-making, responsibility, and leadership through class assemblies, discussions in advisories, dedicated classroom sessions, and all-school workshops. As a cornerstone of the student experience, this program seeks to help all our students live healthier lives that are filled with purpose, passion, and integrity.

Develop a deeper understanding of who you are as a person, student, and adolescent. 

The Core curriculum for ninth graders introduces all students to Williston’s four-year program. Class Deans collaborate closely with the ninth grade advising team to help students transition into high school, teach study strategies during daytime study halls, and host class assemblies focused on curiosity, organization, reflection, and empathy. To foster leadership skills, students rotate through the five student council seats and report back to their class on initiatives.

During the first trimester, ninth graders attend a weekly Core class that builds on the theme “Be Curious” through discussions about identity, self-awareness, and self-discovery. The curriculum emphasizes personal health, learning at Williston, and cognitive psychology during adolescence. Topics include the teenage brain, stress management, embracing identity, healthy relationships, AI at Williston, and sleep hygiene.

Throughout the year, the Core advising team and ninth grade teachers meet bi-weekly to strategize support for students who need it. Program coordinators collaborate with advisors, teachers, and the Academic Dean to help these students improve academically and achieve their potential.

Reflect on your identity within your community and the world while making smart decisions and building healthy relationships.

The Core curriculum for tenth graders continues Williston’s four-year student life program, encouraging students to explore their identity and build healthy relationships. To introduce the theme “Look Outward,” the tenth grade experience begins with an all-class hike up Mt. Tom. This opportunity allows students to enjoy the beauty of western Massachusetts, meet classmates, and start fresh as a group with diverse perspectives. Throughout the year, students listen to and learn from one another during class assemblies, which include discussions on identity and the Sophomore Speaks program, where peers share personal stories based on a prompt.

In the second trimester, tenth graders attend a weekly Core class focused on healthy relationships and sexuality education. Students receive up-to-date information and strategies to support themselves and others, with an emphasis on communication, decision-making, understanding health and science terminology, and identifying personal values and biases.

The tenth grade class is supported by Class Deans, faculty advisors, and Core teachers, with regular communication between Class Deans and administration to ensure students are thriving.

Find your voice, develop leadership skills, and begin to take ownership of your future with the college process. 

The eleventh grade program balances busy community lives with preparation for the future. Leadership opportunities increase significantly, and students are encouraged to take greater responsibility for their own experience and that of others. The Core curriculum shifts from focusing on the present to guiding future decisions, helping students align their values and interests with an intentional college journey.

In this hybrid curriculum taught by College Advising and DEIB in the second trimester, students reflect on their identities, passions, and interests and how these shape their Williston experience. They examine their role in the community, consider their perspective beyond campus, and prepare for the next steps. The program emphasizes conducting a thoughtful college search, understanding the educational landscape, and building a strong portfolio.

Students use these insights to confidently approach the college process and transition into multifaceted seniors. This work is supported by Class Deans, Core teachers, and faculty advisors.

Be leaders in the community, prepare for life after high school, and build the legacy you’ll carry from Williston into the world.

The Core curriculum for twelfth grade is developed each year by the Class Deans, senior administration, and the College Advising Office. Programming occurs during workshop days, a spring Core class, and class assemblies, all aimed at fostering campus leadership and preparing students for life beyond Williston.

The senior Core class, held in the third trimester, is for all seniors and postgraduates. Topics include financial literacy, professional skills, the first-year college experience, mental health, and more. The course concludes with an exit interview, where seniors practice interview skills with a Williston alum, engage in networking, and are introduced to the alumni community.

Senior Class Deans closely support the senior year experience, collaborating with class leaders to plan social events, offer leadership opportunities, and organize workshops for the college process. The senior class plays a vital leadership role, and it is a priority to ensure they have a successful, meaningful year and leave with pride in their school.