Redefining Success in Today's Classroom

From early education through adulthood, people are often measured by metrics: grades, test scores, job titles, salaries, awards, and productivity. These markers are visible, easy to compare, and deeply embedded in our minds as the way to measure whether we’ve been successful. As a result, people around the world grow up internalizing the idea that success is something quantifiable—being “the best,” “the fastest,” or “the most accomplished”—rather than being thoughtful, kind, resilient, or fulfilled.

But Change Is Happening

There’s a growing movement—especially in education, psychology, and leadership—that’s challenging this narrow view. Concepts like growth mindset, social-emotional learning, purpose-driven work, and inclusive education are helping shift the focus toward values like effort, empathy, collaboration, and well-being.

By helping children see success as trying their best, stepping outside their comfort zones, and positively impacting others, we are planting seeds that can reshape how they view themselves and their place in the world. It’s slower work, and it doesn’t always show up on a report card—but it’s deeply meaningful.

What Can We Do?

First of all, we can model it. Adults can talk openly about their own challenges, growth, and values—not just their achievements. Next, we can celebrate differently: recognize effort, kindness, and courage as much as results. And we can advocate: push for changes in how schools and workplaces define and reward success.

As a teacher, I see the impact of the quantifiable definition of success every day. Children feel pressure to be perfect, to win, to be the best. They worry that if they don’t get the highest score or finish the fastest, they’ve failed. The truth is that society’s old definition of success is outdated. It was built for a world that valued competition over collaboration, conformity over creativity, and results over reflection. But today’s world needs something different.

We need a definition of success that includes our Goal Squad characters. That’s why they exist! I have two main hopes for my students: that they develop strong self-esteem and that they go out into the world and help it. I want them to ask themselves questions like:

· Did I try my best, even when it was hard?

· Did I learn something new about myself or the world?

· Did I step outside my comfort zone?

· Did I make someone else’s day better?

· Do I feel proud of who I am and how I showed up?

In classrooms, we’re starting to shift the conversation. We’re asking students to reflect on their effort, their mindset, and their impact on others. We’re celebrating growth, not just achievement. We’re helping children see that success isn’t about being better than someone else—it’s about being better than you were yesterday.

But this shift can’t happen in schools alone. It needs to happen in homes, workplaces, and communities. Parents can ask their children what they’re proud of, not just what they scored. Employers can recognize collaboration and creativity, not just output. Friends can celebrate vulnerability and honesty, not just accomplishments.

Success should feel good. It should empower, not exhaust. It should build people up, not break them down.

So, let’s redefine it—together. Let’s teach our children, and remind ourselves, that success isn’t a finish line. It’s a journey.

Adam Hopps

Year 5 Leader

Learn More: Visit BISC Lincoln Park

If you're inspired by our approach to redefining success and want to see it in action, we’d love to welcome you to our campus.

Join us for one of our Open Houses on Saturday 11/15 or Sunday 1/11 or Schedule a personal tour to explore our learning environment, meet our educators, and discover how we nurture confident, compassionate, and purpose-driven students. Open House | BISC Lincoln Park