Crew Model
About Our Crew Model
Crew is both a structure that encourages social, emotional and academic development among students, and it is also a school-wide culture and mindset. The spirit of “Crew, not passengers” — a phrase coined by Outward Bound founder Kurt Hahn — demonstrates that we are stronger together than we are individually, that we look out for one another. Crew leads to more vibrant, engaged and connected school communities where every student feels a sense of belonging and agency.
Why Crew
Validus Preparatory Academy (VPA) has adopted the Crew Model as an integral part of our educational approach for several reasons. Our commitment to the "Crew not passengers" ethos emphasizes the importance of nurturing a caring and supportive community, where students and staff work together towards shared goals. This approach reflects our strong desire to promote growth in social-emotional learning and build a tightly-knit, inclusive community.
We understand that the development of social-emotional skills is not only important but also interconnected with academic success. At VPA, we firmly believe that both aspects are equally essential for the well-rounded development of our students. Additionally, our shared leadership structures and collaborative culture among staff further reinforce the effectiveness of the Crew Model, fostering a learning environment where everyone is dedicated to the success and well-being of our students
Crew Initiative Schools:
Work with NYC Outward Bound to assess their needs in the areas of social-emotional learning and community-building
Develop a data-driven plan to determine what success looks like at their school
Receive one-on-one training from a dedicated NYC Outward Bound Schools Crew Coach to meet goals that align with the success plan
Join a collective of schools that have similar needs and are in similar places in their Crew implementation process
Engage in cohort-based activities with other partner schools both virtually and in-person to help model what Crew looks and feels like
