Afton Elementary School (AES) administrators and staff are teaching students the soft skills of social interaction through Ron Clark’s “The Essential 55” with focus on manners, respect and interpersonal communication.

An award-winning educator and founder of the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Clark taught fifth grade in rural North Carolina and Harlem where he noticed that clear expectations dramatically improved student behavior and academic performance. Through his academy, Clark shares a concise program that outlines 55 essential skills that he believes students need.

This program helps teachers and administrators provide structure, self-respect, and essential life skills to students, preparing them for long-term social confidence and successful interaction with others.

“Several Afton teachers have attended the Ron Clark Academy for professional development,” said Danny Robinson, AES Principal. “After meeting students there who live out these Essentials, they saw the value in explicitly teaching these Essentials to our own students.”

Each week, AES staff and students focus on one Essential. The Essential of the Week is announced by a student who is chosen for the special responsibility and the Essential is then posted in the halls and in grade level centers ensuring that students have constant reminders of the week’s goal. “Teachers teach it, model it, notice students living it, and celebrate them when they do,” said Robinson.

“Be humble” was the school’s first Essential of the 2026-27 school year and “Make eye contact” followed that. Other Essentials scheduled this year include:

• Congratulate and uplift a classmate.

• Always say thank you when given something.

• Surprise others by performing random acts of kindness.

• No matter the circumstances, always be honest.

The year will conclude with Essential #55, “Be the best person you can be.” The school will host a celebration in May in which students will “reflect on their growth and celebrate the Essentials that have become part of the school family.”

“The Essential 55 also fits with Afton Elementary’s house system,” explained Robinson. “Every student belongs to one of four houses, and we consistently reiterate that we are ‘Four Houses. One Family.’”

Sorting into houses involves students choosing a wristband from the sorting bag. Whichever color of band the student pulls from the bag represents their house. “Their house sees the color and cheers,” said Robinson. New house members slide down a slide and members of their house family greet them at the bottom of the slide, then escort them to their seat among their fellow house members.

Deputy Corey Basset, who serves as the LCSD#2 School Resource Officer, was also sorted into an AES house, “which the kids loved, and he is now in the house of Amistad: The House of Friendship.”

“Afton Elementary has always been an amazing school, with so many great things happening,” said Robinson. “The House System has helped us bring [the Ron Clark Essential 55] strengths together in a way that unites staff and students across grade levels. Our staff make great things happen, and our students inspire us to be our best every day. Our wonderful parents and community partners have also shown meaningful support. Together, we are truly bringing this year’s theme, ‘You Belong Here’ to life.”