Evidence-Based Practices

While curriculum tools and instructional approaches have been selected because they are evidence-based, TLC Leadership Academies also include many evidence-based intentional supports focused on the needs of students who have experienced trauma. Creating trauma-informed classroom environments requires a major paradigm shift in thinking about how schools are organized and how students are expected to interact with teachers and academic content. TLC Leadership Academies' comprehensive approach to mental health and the development of soft skills is central to success in achieving our mission. There are five key elements of our evidence-based approach, which are detailed below.

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Individual and Group Coaching and Counseling

In a comprehensive approach to mental health, all students participate in one group coaching or counseling session per day that is integrated into their academic schedules. Students who need additional support will receive a minimum of 30-minutes of individual coaching or counseling per week along with their academic courses. In addition to full-time in-house counselors for each of our academies, we also have access to tele-psychiatry for psychiatric support including full psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and crisis assessments on a case-by-case basis.

Our distinctive focus on both academics and mental health affords us the ability to address the needs of nontraditional learners who need extra support with mental health or substance abuse in order to be successful in a school setting, attend school regularly, and, ultimately, graduate from high school.

Focus on Character Development and Soft Skills

Research shows that social skills are as crucial, if not more so, than intelligence for long-term success. That’s why we offer a workplace-informed curriculum centered on developing soft skills through hands-on experiences like educational field trips, community service, project-based learning, and internship opportunities with local businesses. TLC’s Leadership 220 program, combined with the Kinful SEL curriculum, takes leadership development to the next level by incorporating values-based lessons with real-life imagery and stories to inspire and engage students. These tools empower teachers to connect with students on a deeper level, fostering a more positive, relatable, and cooperative learning environment for everyone.

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Leadership Coaching

When a school focuses on developing all of its 6-12 students as leaders, school contexts become transformative spaces. We believe that early leadership development can occur across learning contexts and be systemically prioritized. The evidence-base on 6-12 leadership coaching suggests that nurturing interpersonal relationships will allow us to develop leadership and empower youth increasing self-awareness, improving connections with others, and participating as active and engaged members of their communities. Using the structured leadership curriculum Leadership 220, TLC Leadership students will learn to create their own leadership pathway, while learning key knowledge and skills that will allow them to be engaged citizens in their school and community. Leadership coaching will be integrated into the daily group therapy experience.

Summer Therapeutic Workshops Embedded in Summer Enrichment Camps K-8

Summer learning loss is a well-known challenge with long-term impacts, particularly in academic performance. However, the need for year-round continuity extends beyond academics—socioemotional support is just as critical. Our counselors and coaches aim to sustain the progress made during the school year, even throughout the summer. To meet this need, TLC Leadership Academies offer optional summer camps, designed to keep students engaged and supported during the break. These camps are available for a fee, with scholarships offered to ensure accessibility for all families.

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Balanced Academic and Emotional Support Environment

TLC Leadership’s evidence based social and emotional context, with a strong focus on coaching and counseling, trauma informed teaching, and the development of soft skills is unlike any offering in Audubon and, in fact, is unique to the typical public school offering in the state of Pennsylvania. TLC Leadership fills a need that would otherwise go unattended. Students develop academically, emotionally, and socially through the integrated education approach that focuses on mental health and wellness, academic rigor, and a personalized approach to learning.