For children and teens with learning differences, mastering the unwritten rules of social behavior can be as difficult as deciphering letters on a page, and just as crucial to success in life. Frostig has built a social learning department that encourages and facilitates the development of a student’s social competencies at school, home and the community.

The cornerstone of social learning at Frostig is Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support, a research-based framework that calls on all staff to actively teach, model and reward pro-social behaviors, such as advocating for themselves and taking ownership for their actions. Expectations are built on Frostig Success Attributes (self-awareness, perseverance, proactivity, emotional coping strategies, support systems and goal setting). Our goal is to create a school climate where students feel safe and involved so they may thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Frostig has been recognized since 2020 by the California PBIS Coalition for its exemplary implementation and was most recently awarded the Gold status in 2024.

The department is committed to supporting students’ social and emotional needs in a variety of ways. Students attend social learning classes where our full-time social learning director helps them build self-awareness, form friendships, understand and manage their emotions, and show empathy to others. The department also hosts assemblies as well as school-wide events, clubs, Leadership Council, service learning class, and conflict mediation meetings. In collaboration with the Transition Department, our interns host Mental Health Month and Wellness Week. They also support our Wellness Room called The Nest. The department also collaborates with a variety of community organizations to bring new and engaging programming to students each year.