Structures that Support Learning and Growth at The Lang School

Every child’s learning journey is unique—especially for twice-exceptional (2e) students, whose strengths and challenges often live side by side. At The Lang School, we know that thriving doesn’t happen by chance. It requires carefully designed systems that nurture both academic growth and social-emotional development. That’s why our model is built around structures that support the whole learner—in classrooms, across divisions, and throughout our community.

Academic and Instructional Structures

At Lang, we anchor learning in Project-Based Learning (PBL) and portfolios, giving students authentic opportunities to connect their passions to real-world challenges. Each content class designs at least two PBL units per year, built around big driving questions that encourage investigation, problem-solving, and creativity. Final projects are designed for public sharing—whether through exhibitions, performances, or digital media—so that students experience the power of having an authentic audience.

Portfolios complement this work by capturing not only the final products but also the process of learning. They showcase growth over time, highlight strengths, and give students opportunities for reflection. For many of our learners, portfolios become a mirror of identity, helping them see not just what they’ve accomplished, but who they are becoming as thinkers, creators, and community members.

Our instructional approach is also deeply neurodiversity-affirming. Teachers are not simply “deliverers of content,” but designers of learning environments that balance rigor with flexibility. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles ensure multiple entry points for engagement, representation, and expression, while differentiation and scaffolding allow each student to access learning in ways that fit their profile.

Social-Emotional Structures

At Lang, we believe social-emotional learning (SEL) is not a separate “program”—it’s the foundation for everything else. For 2e learners, developing skills in self-regulation, perspective-taking, and resilience is just as critical as mastering academics.

Our divisionally aligned SEL supports include:

• Lower School: Social Thinking frameworks and Responsive Classroom practices create safe, consistent routines where young learners can practice flexibility, empathy, and self-regulation.

• Upper School: Advisory programs and the WIN (“What I Need”) period provide structured time for mentoring, reflection, targeted support, and enrichment.

• Schoolwide: Every adult is seen as a relationship-builder, embedding SEL strategies across academics, transitions, and daily interactions.

To make sure we are proactive, not reactive, we use Intellispark, a digital tool that helps us track student well-being, SEL progress, and intervention plans. It gives students a voice through surveys and reflections while helping staff identify patterns early and respond with consistency and compassion. All staff are also trained in CPI de-escalation basics, equipping them with preventative strategies to reduce stress and maintain safety.

A Culture of Connection and Care

Beyond academics and SEL, Lang invests deeply in community and staff culture. Teachers receive ongoing professional development tied to our core initiatives, as well as coaching, mentoring, and collaborative planning time. Staff culture teams and buddy systems ensure that adults feel supported—because when teachers thrive, students thrive.

Students, meanwhile, benefit from a schoolwide commitment to relationships, regulation, and resilience. These three pillars show up in everything from morning meetings to advisory check-ins, reinforcing that Lang is not just a place to learn—it’s a place to belong.

Looking Ahead

The Lang School’s structures are not rigid checklists; they are living systems, constantly refined through reflection, collaboration, and feedback. What unites them is a shared belief: that when students experience authentic learning, emotional safety, and consistent support, they develop not only the skills to succeed in school but also the confidence to flourish beyond it. At Lang, learning and growth go hand in hand. Our structures make sure of it.