School-Based Programs

Shanthi Project’s signature school-based mindfulness education program is called Calm+Kind+Focused (CKF). In the elementary school setting, the program is implemented one time per week over the course of 16-weeks for students in grades K- 4. Fifth graders receive a six-week program that supports them as they transition to middle school. For middle school students in grades 6 - 8, CKF is delivered one time per week for 10 weeks. High school programming is tailored to meet the needs of the school or students. Each session is facilitated with students and their teachers directly where they are—in the classroom. Sessions are led by a trained, trauma-informed mindfulness instructor who focuses on strategies that will help regulate the classroom and promote a productive and calm learning environment. Lessons include techniques to cope with change, navigate stressful moments, process strong emotions, show kindness through actions, practice tolerance and gratitude, and much more. Moreover, lessons taught through the in-class mindfulness program are long-term, sustainable practices that can be utilized by classroom teachers and students well beyond the scope of the program. The primary goal of CKF is to cultivate and develop key social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies and support the mental health and wellbeing of school-aged children and youth. To achieve this goal, Shanthi Project offers five separate CKF curricula (K-1st grade, 2nd - 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th - 8th grade, and 9th -12th grade) designed with age-appropriate content to resonate with each and every student. Our curricula are derived from Mind-UP lessons, which were developed by established experts in school-based mindfulness education, Mindful Schools. Both Mindful Schools and Mind-UP have extensive outcome research showing consistent increases in self-awareness, attentional capacity, self-regulation and social skills. Shanthi Project's CKF outcome research consistently shows similar gains in key social-emotional competencies that will allow students to progress and succeed not only in their academic careers, but in their lives outside the classroom as well.

Designed to support students as they prepare for the pivotal transition to middle school, the Bridge to Middle School Program serves fifth grade students and runs for six sessions. Each session lasts 30 minutes. In this program, students learn mindfulness strategies and tools to help them navigate a larger school environment, increased academic workload, new relationships, and other challenges that come with this big change. Each lesson includes simple practices to help students learn to self-regulate and build their own mindful toolbox.

For students who have completed the full 16-session Calm+Kind+Focused series during the year prior, the Refresher Series is a review of the foundational principles of mindfulness. Depending on school preference, the four 30-minute sessions are typically delivered across the school year in October, December, February, and April. Included with the lessons are enhanced printed resources and mindfulness tools for each classroom, digital resources accessed through our online portal, and access to a Shanthi Project “Mindfulness Concierge” throughout the school year. The Mindfulness Concierge/Instructor supports the classroom teacher in establishing daily mindfulness routines and is available for general mindfulness-related questions throughout the entire school year.

This eight-session program provides evidence-based, small-group mindfulness skill-building support to referred high school students (9-12) who have been identified as needing Tier 2 support in the area of emotion regulation and/or students identified as victims of abuse. Students meet one time per week for approximately 45 minutes. Broad skills include understanding mindfulness and the science of stress; developing strategies to manage and cope with stress and anxiety; and cultivating compassion and perspective. Additional topics will be discussed as needed, dependent on group dynamics and available time. Students build their own “Mindful Toolbox” throughout the program.

During the 2024-2025 school year, we facilitated an eight-session mindfulness program for autistic and emotional support classrooms within a school. Each session lasted 30 minutes. We are looking to expand on this work in other schools and districts for the 2025-2026 school year.

To further support both public and private Lehigh Valley educational institutions, Shanthi Project provides mindfulness training sessions and workshops for teachers, administrators, and school counselors as part of our Shanthi@Work program. We offer a variety of trainings, including an introduction to trauma-informed practices, mindfulness practices for the classroom, and self-care for the classroom teacher. As our educators experience unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout, we aim to support their mental health and wellbeing by offering essential mindfulness techniques, tools, and resources to help navigate difficult days, remain compassionate, stay focused in the classroom, and more. All participants in our Shanthi@Work program are asked to complete a post-workshop survey so we can assess the impact and make any needed adjustments to deliver the most effective service possible.