Academic initiatives ensure that all our students have access to the best opportunities for education and discovery to become enthusiastic inquisitive lifelong learners. We are committed to help deliver engaging learning experiences, offer transformational technologies, and provide training and tools for our teachers.

We strive for continuous improvement and growth to better meet the needs of our students. Our District will continue to achieve our goals of attracting top teachers, offering small class sizes and fully equipped classrooms, and ensuring that every student is well-prepared for higher education. The Foundation provides strategic guidance and support to help our schools adjust to emerging educational needs, from the meaningful integration of technology to curricular instruction for building relevant skills.

The Carmel Schools FOCUS Foundation has repeatedly funded the introduction of new technologies, from the school’s first laptops and initial infrastructure to digital textbooks, learning platforms and personalized learning strategies. We also help offer hands-on Experiential Learning opportunities so that students can deepen knowledge learned in the classroom and connect skills to real-world situations.

“While we all hope our children will do well in school, we hope with even greater fervor that they will do well in life. Our job is to help them to know and appreciate themselves deeply; to approach the world with zest; to find work that is exciting and satisfying, friends and spouses who are loving and loyal; and to hold a deep belief that they have something meaningful to contribute to society. This is what it means to teach our children well.” –Madeline Levine

Holistic health includes emotional, physical, psychological and social well-being. Our Holistic Health initiatives are focused on ensuring that our students are thriving –that they develop habits to manage stress, relate well to others, and make healthy choices.

We are focused on six key areas:
- Emotional Wellness
- Nutrition and Healthy Eating
- Physical Fitness and Daily Habits
- Connectedness and Socialization
- Compassion and Service
- Positivity and Joy

Creativity encompasses the ability to inspire ourselves and others, imagine original ideas, design new solutions to problems and bring one’s vision to fruition.

The Foundation supports a variety of programs that help students identify their strengths and passions, nurture talents and and spark joy.

We aim for our students to cultivate creative and critical thinking skills, communication, cultural intelligence and collaboration skills.

All students benefit tremendously from an education that integrates visual, digital and performing arts –which are consistently linked to enhanced student achievement, cultural awareness and career readiness.

Research continues to demonstrate that a robust arts curriculum supports social and emotional well-being; promotes a sense of belonging to a wider community; and provides a constructive creative outlet for self-expression.

As we live in one of the most beautiful dynamic places on earth, we endeavor to deepen the values and ethics of our students helping foster the ability to effectively adapt to diverse situations, conduct themselves with honor and integrity, and engage in practices that protect our precious natural resources.

The Foundation aims to create an inclusive and equitable learning community that honors the dignity of all and recognizes the intrinsic relationship between diversity and excellence.

We believe that these essential elements and practices make for a robust and dynamic learning environment in which everyone has a sense of belonging and where students can develop into respectful, responsible and impactful global citizens.