About FORGE

Program Overview

FORGE is a comprehensive Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and leadership formation curriculum delivered to all students in grades 9-12 at Bishop Diego High School. Developed and facilitated by the school's Personal Counselor/Dean of Students, FORGE integrates affective neuroscience, attachment theory, and Christian Theology to foster emotional resilience, relational intelligence, and Christ-centered leadership.

Mission & Standards Alignment

Grounded in the Catholic vision of integral formation, FORGE is designed to form the whole person—mind, heart, and spirit. The curriculum directly supports key educational standards by embedding theological principles and promoting measurable growth in students' affective and interpersonal skills.

CASEL's Five Core Competencies

Each module supports development of:

  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
  • Social Awareness
  • Relationship Skills
  • Responsible Decision-Making

National Standards & Benchmarks

Integrates Catholic Social Teaching and provides developmentally appropriate character formation.

WCEA & WASC Accreditation

Contributes to accreditation by delivering a standards-aligned SEL curriculum integrated into core Theology classes, embedding Catholic identity, and cultivating a trauma-informed school environment.

Delivery Model

Target Audience

All students (Grades 9-12)

Frequency

Two 45-minute modules per grade level each academic year

Setting

Theology class periods

Format

Interactive lessons featuring small-group discussion, video clips, role-playing, and somatic-based SEL practices

Theoretical Foundation

FORGE is built upon three pillars of research and practice:

  • 🧠

    Affective Neuroscience

    Understanding how emotions function in the brain and influence behavior

  • 🤝

    Attachment Theory

    Exploring how relationships shape emotional development and resilience

  • ✝️

    Christian Theology

    Grounding SEL in Catholic Social Teaching and Gospel values

Program Impact

FORGE provides students with more than just emotional tools; it offers a theological and psychological framework for understanding themselves and their role in the world. By developing emotional literacy and self-regulation, the program enhances academic readiness and cultivates a more empathetic, trauma-informed school climate.

Ultimate Goal

FORGE prepares students to become servant-leaders and emotionally intelligent disciples who can live out the Gospel in a multicultural world.