Blackstone Academy

Habits of Mind
September 5, 2013
Welcome to our new Habits of Mind! The BACS staff has worked hard over the past year
to revisit our Habits of Mind to see which ones were still relevant and to suggest some
new ones based on how our school has grown and matured over the past 12 years.
We look forward to discussing these with you and watching you progress in your
mastery of these habits. Enjoy!
HOM
Collaboration
Community
Engagement
Creativity
Gratitude
Grit
Humility

Integrity
Optimism
Organization
Self-Advocacy
Upstanderness

Wellness

Zest

Definition
Working successfully with others by listening
empathically, leading sensitively, contributing
meaningfully, and learning from group members
Active participation in the school, local, state, and
global communities
Daring to think flexibly, being willing to reconsider
ideas, solve problems by taking appropriate risks, and
discover more about oneself through the process
Showing appreciation for others and for ones
opportunities
Persevering despite difficulties; finishing what is
started; working independently with focus and
intensity
Awareness that everyone has strengths and
weaknesses. Humbly acknowledging success while
bravely confronting ones weaknesses and
encouraging others who do the same.
Telling the truth to (or being honest with) oneself
and others through ones words and actions, even
when it's difficult
Believing that ones life, community, and world can
get better with effort
Giving structure to ones thinking, ones work, and
ones life
Being the director of ones own life; demonstrating
agency to become empowered
Demonstrating active compassion, even when afraid
or in front of a crowd (or especially in front of a
crowd); righting a wrong; helping those who are
situationally disempowered
Actively working to maintain a healthy mind, body
and soul. Focusing on sleep, nutrition, exercise, and
managing stress in an effort to reach peak
performance.
Participating enthusiastically and passionately;
invigorating others

Student, advisor, and one teacher fill out Character Report Card annually before the
end of Q1.
In Q3, student and advisor choose 10 of the 13 to be used for HOM Reflection at the
end of the year. The 10 HOMs chosen should be a mix of areas of strength and
challenge.
As part of ILP, the 10 HOMs of focus for that school year are indicated. This helps all
HOMs get addressed at least 3 times over the course of a students tenure at
Blackstone. [Transfer students requirements will be amended as appropriate.]
For 2013-14 Mandatory HOMs by grade level (9 th and 10th grades):
9th Grade: Grit, Integrity, Organization, Self-Advocacy, Upstanderness
10th Grade: Collaboration, Community Engagement, Gratitude, Self-Advocacy, Wellness