Fostering the Whole Child at Mt. Diablo USD
The Challenge
Within Mt. Diablo Unified School District, a pivotal challenge arose: integrating academic intervention and enrichment seamlessly into the CARES (Collaborative for Academics, Recreation & Enrichment for Students) summer program spanning Kindergarten through 12th grade. The goal was not solely academic improvement but whole child development, encompassing their social-emotional well-being and problem-solving skills.
The Solution
The answer arrived in the form of QUEST, a program that not only aligned with CARES but also provided social-emotional learning and whole child development for academic success. As QUEST's immersive gameplay unfolded at Mt. Diablo Unified School District, a profound transformation occurred.
Students and facilitators reported striking improvements in student engagement, collaboration, creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills. QUEST's Play, Connect, Create, grounded in social-emotional learning, allowed students to explore their own capabilities and fostered empathy, resilience, and human intelligence. This holistic approach, addressing the whole child, made academic achievement not just a goal but a natural outcome.
For Mt. Diablo Unified School District, the integration of QUEST and CARES promoted the synergy between academic intervention and social-emotional development. It highlighted the importance of fostering well-rounded individuals and achieving academic excellence. As a result of this summer program, students emerged as more empathetic, adaptable, and resilient learners, fully equipped for success both inside and outside the classroom.
The Results
said they had a higher level of creativity while playing QUEST
said they developed skills in cooperation and compromise while playing QUEST
Quotes
“QUEST has so many hands-on components that it lets students who sometimes struggle with the technology side really flourish.”
Kristen Thompson
Teacher Liaison, 4th and 5th Grade Teacher
“The materials within QUEST are really well-explained, so it’s easy to use them.”
Hannah Utler
QUEST Facilitator; 4th Grade Teacher
“It’s not just…the students, the instructors are able to have fun too!”
Violeta Guzman
Program Coordinator
“The kids, when they hear QUEST, they’re like, ‘I wanna go to QUEST! I wanna go to QUEST! They get excited hearing about it.”
Antonio Caja
QUEST Facilitator
“I really like how everybody can experience [QUEST] in different ways.”
Sameer
5th Grade Student
“QUEST is good for us because we can do something as a class and as friends.”
Ichiro
9th Grade Student
“I got better at drawing, I learned how to work as a team, and help other people.”
Student
“[I learned] to work together as a team even when it was difficult.”
Student
“The students LOVED it so much! It was fun seeing them excited about something during summer school.”
Teacher