Fostering The Whole Child at Mt. Diablo USD

Challenge

Within Mt. Diablo Unified School District, a pivotal challenge arose: integrating academic intervention and enrichment seamlessly into the CARES (Collaborative for Academics, Recreation & Enrichment for Students) summer program spanning Kindergarten through 12th grade. The goal was not solely academic improvement but whole child development, encompassing their social-emotional well-being and problem-solving skills.

Solution

The answer arrived in the form of QUEST, a program that not only aligned with CARES but also provided social-emotional learning and whole child development for academic success. As QUEST's immersive gameplay unfolded at Mt. Diablo Unified School District, a profound transformation occurred.

Students and facilitators reported striking improvements in student engagement, collaboration, creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills. QUEST's Play, Connect, Create, grounded in social-emotional learning, allowed students to explore their own capabilities and fostered empathy, resilience, and human intelligence. This holistic approach, addressing the whole child, made academic achievement not just a goal but a natural outcome.

For Mt. Diablo Unified School District, the integration of QUEST and CARES promoted the synergy between academic intervention and social-emotional development. It highlighted the importance of fostering well-rounded individuals and achieving academic excellence. As a result of this summer program, students emerged as more empathetic, adaptable, and resilient learners, fully equipped for success both inside and outside the classroom.

Results

• 90% of students said they had a higher level of Creativity while playing QUEST
• 87% of students said they developed skills in cooperation and compromise while playing QUEST

Quotes

“I really like how everybody can experience [QUEST] in different ways.” -Student

“QUEST is good for us because we can do something as a class and as friends.” -Student

“I got better at drawing, I learned how to work as a team, and help other people.” -Student

“[I learned] to work together as a team even when it was difficult.” -Student

“QUEST has so many hands-on components that it lets students who sometimes struggle with the technology side really flourish.” -Kristen Thompson, Teacher Liaison, 4th and 5th Grade Teacher

“The materials within QUEST are really well-explained, so it’s easy to use them.” -Hannah Utler, QUEST Facilitator; 4th Grade Teacher

“It’s not just…the students, the instructors are able to have fun too!” -Violeta Guzman, Program Coordinator

“The kids, when they hear QUEST, they’re like, ‘I wanna go to QUEST! I wanna go to QUEST! They get excited hearing about it.” -Antonio Caja, QUEST Facilitator

“The students LOVED it so much! It was fun seeing them excited about something during summer school.” -Teacher