Symonds Elementary School

Schools That Work

Symonds Elementary School

Public, Suburban

Grades K-5

Keene, NH

Symonds Elementary, a public K-5 school in Keene, New Hampshire, works to develop trust, relationships, and connections with every student. By implementing a strong social-emotional curriculum, personalizing learning for students, and meeting each child where he or she is, Symonds creates a school environment that invites their students to feel accepted, safe, and available for learning.

Outperformed state and district on NECAP tests every year since 2010
Average 5th-grade RIT score is one year above grade level in math and reading (NWEA) since 2005

Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social and Emotional Learning: A Schoolwide Approach
Strategies like mindfulness, emotional regulation, and supportive small groups help Symonds meet the academic and social needs of their students.
Arts Integration
Bookmaking Across Subjects: Making Learning Last Longer
Taking class projects schoolwide makes learning more fun, more engaging, and more lasting for students.
School Culture
The Specials: Curriculum Enrichment Builds a Positive School Culture
Symonds Elementary's music, art, PE, and media teachers weave their practices into the fabric of the community, getting to know each student while enriching the school culture.
The Symonds School Quest Team
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Integrating SEL and Academics in Every Grade
Social and emotional learning strategies help kids focus on their classes.
Nana Gilbertson
Arts Integration
Learning From Their Own Books
Combining arts with subject area content, bookmaking sparks lasting learning.
Arts Integration
Creating an Artist-in-Residence Program
An artist-in-residence program can enrich educational experiences schoolwide if adequately understood by the teachers, supported by the administration, and funded by the school community.
John Bass
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Responsive Classroom: “Why Is Everyone So Nice Here?”
Through Responsive Classroom practices such as Social Thinking, Symonds Elementary teaches its students daily that who they learn with is as important as what they learn.
Joan Murphy
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Goodbye, Old Bell: Graduating Students Speak From the Heart
Graduating fifth-grade students reflect on their struggles, growth, and achievements within the positive, caring environment of SEL-based Symonds Elementary School.
Richard Cate
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Morning Meetings: Creating a Safe Space for Learning
At Symonds Elementary, teachers use morning meetings to develop valuable social-emotional skills, create a culture of respect and trust, and prepare students to learn.
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Creating a Culture of Trust and Safety in Every Class
Visit a school that uses morning meetings to develop kids’ social and emotional skills to prep them for learning.

Schools That Work

Symonds Elementary School

.css-1sk4066:hover{background:#d1ecfa;}Social and Emotional Learning: A Schoolwide Approach

Social and Emotional Learning: A Schoolwide Approach