SOARing Together: Building Belonging, Leadership, and Character Through Mentorship

At Lincoln Elementary, we believe that every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow- not just academically, but as a person. That belief is at the heart of our SOAR Squad mentoring program, a schoolwide initiative designed to foster meaningful relationships and develop essential life skills in every student, kindergarten through fifth grade.

When we first began exploring the idea of a schoolwide mentoring program, our team set out to find an elementary model we could replicate or adapt. We researched, connected with other schools, and searched for examples that aligned with the vision we had for our school. Ultimately, we came up short. While there were pieces of strong programs out there, we couldn’t find one that fully captured what we hoped to create. So, we did what educators do best- we built our own.

SOAR Squad is more than just a mentoring block, but rather a cornerstone of our school culture. Each student is placed in a small, consistent group of 6–7 students led by a staff mentor. These groups intentionally span grade levels, creating a family-like structure where younger students feel supported and older students develop leadership skills. For 25 minutes each session, our school quite literally pauses to prioritize connection, character, and community.

Our SOAR acronym guides each quarter’s focus:

• S – Safety

• O – Ownership

• A – Achieving Goals

• R – Responsibility

Each quarter, lessons are designed to align with one of these pillars, ensuring that students engage in developmentally appropriate conversations and activities that build social-emotional skills. For example, during our “Ownership” quarter, students explore what it means to take responsibility for their actions, understand the difference between tattling and reporting, practice apologizing sincerely, and reflect on how their choices impact others.

What makes SOAR Squad especially powerful is its consistency and intentionality. Students meet with the same mentor and peers throughout the year, building trust and a sense of belonging. These relationships often extend beyond the mentoring block, strengthening connections across classrooms and grade levels. It’s not uncommon to see older students greeting their SOAR buddies in the hallway, offering encouragement, or modeling positive behavior throughout the day.

We also strive to make each session engaging and memorable. Whether it’s team-building challenges, meaningful discussions, or fun activities like Show and Tell days, students look forward to their time in SOAR Squad. These moments create space for student voice, laughter, and authentic connection- elements that are essential to a thriving school culture.

The impact of SOAR Squad is evident in our building. Students demonstrate increased empathy, improved problem-solving skills, and a stronger sense of responsibility. Staff members gain a deeper understanding of students they may not otherwise interact with, strengthening our collective commitment to every child.

At Lincoln Elementary, our students are known as “Lincoln Lights,” and through SOAR Squad, we see those lights shine a little brighter. By intentionally creating time and space for mentorship- one we were proud to design ourselves- we are not only supporting our students today, but we are helping shape the leaders, collaborators, and citizens of tomorrow.

Together, we SOAR.