Voigt, Union Hill, Wells Branch Arts Integration Academy and Forest North elementary schools received the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase SchoolsTM award for the 2017-2018 school year from the Flippen Group. Only 123 schools were selected for the national award out of 10,000 schools that host the program across the country.
This is the second year in a row that Voigt, Union Hill and Forest North receive the award and the first for Wells Branch.
According to the Flippen Group, Capturing Kids’ Hearts is a transformative initiative for campuses to become an emotionally safe and relationally connected place for students, staff and parents to come alive with a love for learning. As part of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program, teachers and staff learn processes to connect students with their peers and adults on campus and create classrooms where students are excited to enter and learn every day.
Capturing Kids’ Hearts campuses were considered for these awards based on the following criteria: nomination based on observation, level of implementation of Capturing Kids’ Hearts processes by all staff as measured by online surveys and data demonstrating that Capturing Kids’ Hearts has made a significant improvement in attendance, discipline, climate/culture, or academics.
A Flippen Group team visited each nominated campus to gather data, and to interview students, teachers, administrators, and parents. They used a matrix of key measurements to gather information during the campus walk-through. Finally, an additional survey was conducted to collect feedback regarding the perceived climate and culture of the campus and its conduciveness to learning. Following this visit, the selection team reviewed all data and selected the campuses to receive the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools awards.
Through the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools awards, the Flippen Group recognizes and celebrates campuses that go the extra mile each day, building an environment where students and staff feel safe and connected. The Flippen Group believes unsung heroes who produce exemplary outcomes in schools and pave the way for other schools to follow, need and deserve recognition for a job well done.
