Curriculum

Six units. Skills they can use this week.

Level Up is organized into six major areas of real-world life skills, plus a Digital Defender component. Each unit gives students something concrete to learn, practice, and take home.

Maintenance Master

Taking care of a home

Practical skills for handling the everyday problems a home throws at you.

Topics include

Plumbing basics
Toilets and plungers
Water shutoff valves
Household safety
Smoke detectors
Breakers
Laundry
Clothing care
Basic sewing
Cleaning
Household maintenance

The goal

Homes require care, and many everyday problems are things teens can learn to handle.

Handy Hero

Tools, systems, and vehicles

How to safely use common tools and understand basic home and vehicle systems.

Topics include

Essential hand tools
Hammers
Screwdrivers
Wrenches
Pliers
Levels
Stud finders
Drills and drivers
Basic power tools
Tool safety
Electrical safety
Breakers and GFCI outlets
HVAC basics
Water heaters
Basic vehicle maintenance
Oil
Coolant
Tire pressure
Dashboard warning lights

The goal

Teens do not need to become professional tradespeople. The goal is comfort around tools, an understanding of how common systems work, and knowing when to call an expert.

Budget Boss

Money skills they can use now

Practical money skills students can begin using immediately.

Topics include

Smart shopping
Comparing prices
Needs versus wants
Budgeting
Saving
Banking
Borrowing
Credit
Interest
Financial decisions
Recognizing scams
Protecting personal information

The goal

Not complicated financial theory. Thoughtful, informed everyday money decisions.

Confident Communicator

Communication and real conversations

Skills for communicating clearly and handling real interactions with other people.

Topics include

Speaking confidently
Active listening
Healthy conversations
Asking for help
Self-advocacy
Giving and receiving feedback
Assertive communication
Conflict resolution
Respectful disagreement

The goal

Students practice the conversations they will increasingly have with teachers, employers, family members, friends, coaches, and other adults.

Growth Guru

Habits that make people dependable

The habits that help people become dependable, capable, and responsible.

Topics include

Time management
Planning
Organization
Initiative
Perseverance
Habits
Follow-through
Responsibility
Accountability
Growth mindset
Working well with others

The goal

The goal is not perfection. It is learning how to take ownership, solve problems, recover from mistakes, and finish what you start.

Character Champion

Health, character, and contribution

Taking care of yourself, building character, and contributing to the people around you.

Topics include

Nutrition
Sleep
Hygiene
Healthy habits
Stress
Mental resilience
Coping strategies
Values
Character
Honesty
Integrity
Leadership
Service
Citizenship
Making a positive impact

The goal

Becoming a capable adult is not only about fixing things or managing money. It is also about taking care of yourself, making thoughtful choices, and contributing to others.

Additional component

Digital Defender

An added component focused on helping students and families navigate today's digital world.

Online safetyPrivacyHealthy technology habitsDigital citizenshipScamsMisinformationAI-generated contentResponsible technology useUnderstand how technology shapes their future

Technology is a real part of modern life, not simply something students are told to avoid.

Level Up is about more than checking skills off a list. We want teens to be able to face an unfamiliar problem and think: "I can learn this. I can ask for help. I can make a thoughtful decision. I can try again. I can handle this."

Comparing programs? Read our life skills curriculum guide.

Eventually, every teen becomes the adult in the room.

Let's help them feel ready.

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