🟠 The Circle of Control
Helping Students Navigate Challenges
Parents often wonder what truly prepares a child for middle school. The strongest predictor of success in middle school (and in life) isn’t just academics—it’s a child’s ability to navigate challenges, take ownership of their learning, and focus on what they can control. This skill applies everywhere: in friendships, academics, and life’s inevitable setbacks.
At WHPS, we don’t leave this to chance. One of the most valuable tools we teach for long-term success is the Circle of Control. It helps students shift their energy away from frustration and toward action. Over time, it shapes their confidence, resilience, and independence.
What is the Circle of Control?
The Circle of Control is a mindset framework adapted from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. It helps students focus on what they can influence rather than becoming stuck in what they cannot, laying the foundation for problem-solving, emotional regulation, and self-leadership.
In the lower grades, teachers introduce and reinforce this concept—guiding students as they pause, process, and problem-solve in real time. By upper elementary, it becomes a deeply personal tool, integrated into each student’s leadership notebook, where they reflect on challenges, set goals, and apply it to their own learning journey. What starts as a teacher-supported activity grows into an instinctive habit—one they’ll carry with them long after they leave WHPS.
Inside the Circle: What Students Can Control
The Circle of Control helps students learn to focus most on:
Their actions – how they respond to challenges.
Their words – how they communicate with others.
Their attitude – how they choose to approach problems.
Their effort – how much they put into their learning.
Recognizing this gives students a sense of agency. A child who once felt powerless in a situation begins to see that they do have control over their mindset and responses.
Outside the Circle: Letting Go of What’s Beyond Control
Just as important is learning to release what they cannot control, including:
Other people’s actions or opinions
Unpredictable events – schedule changes, unexpected challenges
Personal circumstances – difficult situations at home or in the world
Instead of dwelling on these, students learn to focus on what is within their power. This ability to adapt and problem-solve is what sets WHPS students apart as they move into middle school and beyond.
The Circle of Control in Action
At WHPS, this mindset isn’t just a lesson—it’s reinforced daily through:
Morning meetings that build self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
Reflection exercises that help students process setbacks and find solutions.
Student-led conferences, which evolve from teacher-guided in the early years to fully student-driven in upper elementary.
On their own, these may seem like small moments. But together, they are transformational. By fifth grade, students don’t just understand the Circle of Control—they embody it. They approach challenges with confidence, regulate emotions without relying on adults, and take responsibility for their actions.
How Families Can Reinforce This Mindset
At home, parents can help by asking, “What part of this can you control?” when their child is upset. This small shift in thinking fosters resilience and problem-solving.
In a moment of calm—or even as a family activity—you can create your own Circle of Control together. Modeling this mindset yourself can be one of the most effective ways to instill it, and sometimes, we realize this exercise is just as beneficial for us as it is for them. Like any habit, it takes time and practice to develop, but the long-term impact is invaluable.
Why This Approach is Different
Many schools teach problem-solving strategies, but at WHPS, these skills are woven into everything we do—not a standalone lesson, but a core part of daily learning. The result? By the time students reach middle school, they are equipped not just with strong academics, but with the tools to navigate anything life throws their way.
