In the bustling city of Los Angeles, California, a groundbreaking initiative is taking place to equip middle and high school students with the essential life skills they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Enter The Edge, an innovative and research-based curriculum designed to foster social-emotional learning (SEL) and life readiness among students, bridging the gap between academic success and real-world application.
Crafted in collaboration with educators and meticulously aligned with the CASEL framework, The Edge stands out as the first of its kind to address the pressing need for high-quality instructional materials that cater to SEL and life skills preparedness. With a focus on cultivating communication, problem-solving, self-awareness, and a range of vital life skills such as entrepreneurship, negotiation, financial literacy, and networking, The Edge offers students a holistic approach to education that extends beyond traditional academics.
Devi Sahny, the visionary Founder and CEO of The Edge and Ascend Now, describes this curriculum as a transformative force in education, emphasizing the importance of helping students not only excel academically but also understand themselves, connect with others, and develop the resilience necessary to confront life’s challenges head-on. With this mission at its core, The Edge delivers a dynamic and engaging learning experience that empowers students to thrive in school, relationships, and beyond.
Empowering Students Through Comprehensive Framework
One of the key pillars of The Edge is its integrated skill framework, which comprises five pillars, 24 essential skills, and 115 modules that seamlessly blend SEL with employability and life skills. Aligned with respected standards such as CASEL, ASCA, and global educational benchmarks, this comprehensive framework ensures that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in various facets of life.
Moreover, The Edge’s educator-friendly design offers over 1,000 customizable, MTSS-aligned resources that streamline teachers’ efforts while allowing them to tailor materials to suit their classroom’s unique needs. By integrating hard skill development with SEL, students engage in activities like entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and leadership training, honing their technical proficiencies alongside crucial soft skills such as communication, empathy, and resilience.
Real-Time Insights and Compelling Content
In addition to its robust curriculum, The Edge provides administrators with real-time analytics that offer actionable insights into student progress, enabling schools and districts to measure outcomes and enhance program alignment with educational goals. By offering engaging content that combines the latest insights from learning sciences with expert writing from acclaimed authors affiliated with SNL, Netflix, and HBO Max, The Edge ensures that students receive educationally sound, relevant, and thought-provoking material.
Through immersive scenarios that challenge students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and apply SEL in everyday situations, The Edge fosters a learning environment that goes beyond rote memorization to cultivate practical skills that are essential for success in today’s world. For example, one lesson on conflict resolution draws inspiration from an actual problem faced by Pixar, providing students with a tangible, real-world example to apply their skills.
Early adopters of The Edge have already reported remarkable results, with rising high school seniors participating in a summer college immersion program at Georgetown University attesting to the program’s efficacy. With 94% of participants reporting learning important skills and 84% discovering something new about themselves, The Edge is proving to be a game-changer in education by equipping students with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
As the latest innovation from Ascend Now US, dba The Edge, this groundbreaking curriculum represents a significant step towards enhancing college and career readiness for all students. Founded by Devi Sahny after successfully scaling Ascend Now Singapore, The Edge builds on a decade of experience in providing personalized academic and entrepreneurship tutoring to thousands of students and international schools, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in the realm of education.
With its forward-thinking approach, comprehensive framework, and commitment to student success, The Edge is poised to revolutionize education and empower students to navigate the challenges of the 21st century with confidence and competence. Through its innovative blend of SEL, life skills, and academic rigor, The Edge is not just shaping students’ minds—it’s shaping their futures.