Creating common expectations for what it means to be a Valor student through “The Valor Commitments”

“The Valor Commitments” serve as the primary agreements community members make with each other, which guide the three primary responsibilities to improve oneself, relationships, and the community.

Valor’s commitments serve as the primary agreements students and teachers make with each other as members of the community. They are:

• I commit to keeping myself and others safe. (Be safe)
• I commit to leaving no community member behind. (Be inclusive)
• I commit to seeking diversity of perspective.
• I commit to speaking to the person, not about the person. (Be kind)
• I commit to speaking from my heart, but using my head.
• I commit to working the Compass. (Work hard)
• I commit to walking my talk. (Be accountable)
• I commit to showing up with Valor. (Be brave)

Students learn the commitments early on during their time at Valor and become part of a shared, common language. Commitments are explicitly practiced during Circle and may take several forms, including simple reminders, explanations from students about why a certain commitment is important to them, descriptions from students about how they practice a specific commitment, or statements from students if they observe others modeling or exemplifying certain commitments. The Valor Commitments are also represented visually, appearing on walls throughout the school’s halls and classrooms.