Soft Skills Program
Gesu School is committed to educating the whole child: academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
A Gesu education meets children where they are and gives them knowledge and tools to succeed in school—and in life. While some of these skills are academic, and may be demonstrated in test scores and grades, many are not. “Soft-skills" like motivation and goal setting, persistence, reflection, and the ability to interact appropriately in different social situations, are not captured by traditional measures, but are readily apparent in Gesu School’s students.
Gesu School believes that soft skills can be taught. We have researched and implemented our own soft skills curriculum for Pre-K - 8th grade, with input from Angela Duckworth, author, Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and co-founder of Character Lab, a nonprofit whose mission is to advance scientific insights that help children thrive. The soft skills curriculum includes direct instruction, practical application, teacher evaluation, and self-assessment of these attributes:
Each grade level at Gesu defines these skills in an age-appropriate way. Students engage in regular discussion and projects around building these skills and are recognized for their growth.
The acronym MAGIS represents these soft skills and also creates a direct link between that curriculum and the broader priorities of Jesuit education, which uses the term “Magis” to refer to the ideal of striving to do and be “greater” for the service of God.
Andre’a ’18
“MAGIS helped me grow because it kept me motivated and determined, and made me aware of my goals and how I should do everything to see them through. And, it helped me to work with others from all backgrounds.”