Crew
What is Crew Culture?
Crew is a ritual, a coming together, and the creation of a close-knit student community. An integral part of the EL Education model, each school in our network brings students together in a consistent and supportive group. Crew is a place where character education, adventure, and team building are intentional, assuring success for all students. It’s a structure that fosters a sense of belonging within students and a place where they can be their best selves while lifting up their peers to achieve more than they think possible.
Across our network of schools, partners, and EL Education staff, Crew can take on a variety of forms. And in fact, depending on how and where the practice of Crew is applied, it is often molded into a philosophy and a practice that best serves the unique needs of each respective school, district, or peer community.
Crew is always two things:
It is a structure. A group of students who meet together to support and push each other in school, and life.
It is a spirit, a way of being. To be "Crew" means to pitch in to help each other, to step up and take responsibility for everyone's well-being around you. Crew isn’t only for students. The spirit of Crew can be observed across the EL Education network, among school leaders and teachers, as well among our national staff. At EL Education, the spirit of Crew is one of the most important tenets of our organizational culture and character.
At Explore, we are dedicated to guiding our students to become the best versions of themselves by holding them accountable to the core character traits that we believe are essential for their growth and success. These traits—respect, compassion, integrity, collaboration, perseverance, and positive impact—are the foundation of our school community. By fostering respect, we teach our students to value themselves and others. Through compassion, we encourage empathy and kindness in all interactions. Integrity ensures that our students are honest and ethical in their actions. Collaboration highlights the importance of teamwork and mutual support. Perseverance teaches our students to persist in the face of challenges, and making a positive impact inspires them to contribute meaningfully to their community. Together, these values help our students develop into well-rounded individuals who are prepared to thrive in all aspects of their lives.