This year, St. Charles Parish Public Schools will implement a social-emotional curriculum at all schools, after it piloted the program at select schools last year.
The 7 Mindsets program teaches students to develop positive mindsets, resilience, healthy relationships and life skills they can use inside and outside school, according to the district. The district is spending $139,000 from its general fund on a one-year subscription of the curriculum. The cost includes the classroom curriculum, small-group lessons and professional development for employees.
During the pilot year, the program was used at Destrehan and Hahnville high schools, all four middle schools, the Landry Educational Programs Center and Lakewood, Luling and R.J. Vial elementary schools.
Allemands, Ethel Schoeffner, Mimosa Park, New Sarpy, Norco and St. Rose elementary schools are implementing it for the first time this year.
Meghan Dwyer, the equity and social emotional learning coordinator for SCPPS, said the district saw promising data and received positive feedback from schools that piloted 7 Mindsets during the 2025-26 school year. For example, some behavioral incidents decreased overall from the previous school year, with the most significant decrease of 48 percent occurring at the high school level.
“While these early trends are encouraging, it is important to note that this was the first year of implementation, and it is too early to attribute changes or outcomes specifically to 7 Mindsets,” Dwyer said. “As implementation continues, the district will monitor trends in student attendance, discipline, school climate, student well-being, and sense of belonging. Over time, continued implementation and data collection will provide a clearer picture of the program’s impact.”
Elementary and middle school students will participate in lessons each week. The lessons will be taught over two days during morning meetings or advisory periods. High school students will have a 30-minute 7 Mindsets advisory period each Wednesday.
Dwyer said the expansion of the program helps meet the district’s Long Range Strategic Action Plan, which calls for, in part, programs and services that support children academically, socially, emotionally and physically.
“As we expand 7 Mindsets districtwide, we hope to create a shared language across our school community that fosters personal growth, strengthens positive relationships, and increases a sense of belonging for both students and employees,” she said. “This common language reinforces our districtwide theme of ‘You Belong Here’ and helps create a culture where everyone feels connected, supported, and valued.”
Before the expansion, employees from the six remaining schools and several district departments attended introductory sessions on the program. Hayden Shickler, 7 Mindsets regional sales director, and Julie Spierto, strategic customer success manager, led the training.
Employees learned about the curriculum’s seven central mindsets and explored ways to apply its principles in their professional and personal lives. The sessions also allowed employees to experience the program from an adult perspective before introducing it to students.
Destrehan and Hahnville high school students participated in program kickoff events during the schools’ staggered start days Aug. 10 and 11.
The district’s partnership with 7 Mindsets has also provided students with opportunities outside the classroom.
Four students attended the 7 Mindsets Ultimate Life Summit this summer through sponsorships provided by 7 Mindsets: Hahnville High School student Kayla Dupre and Destrehan High School students Shaylynn Green, Benjamin Hall and Liberty Thomas.
During the summit, Hall and Thomas received the Unlimited Potential Scholarship, which recognizes students who exhibit leadership, determination, compassion and exceptional potential. Hall and Thomas each received a $3,700 grant and became part of a mentorship network designed to support recipients as they pursue their educational, professional and personal goals.