Competencies, Flourishing, and Agency: The Language of Learning at WAB

This year, through our Innovation Series, in collaboration with Stephen Taylor, our Director of Innovation, we’ll be sharing stories and examples of what innovation looks like across WAB. We’ll share stories from classrooms, examples from alumni, and insights from global partners. Our hope is that together, we can build a clearer picture of how innovation at WAB helps our students become better learners and prepared for life beyond WAB.

These kinds of moments happen every day at WAB. But to understand why they matter, we will unpack three ideas that sit at the core of how we think about learning: competencies, flourishing, and agency. 

Competencies are more than skills. They bring together knowledge, concepts, and abilities in ways that students can carry into new situations. For example, “communication” isn’t just presenting slides; it includes listening, understanding an audience, shifting styles, and working across cultures. Competencies make learning transferable and adaptable. 

Agency is how students develop and apply these competencies. It’s the ability to take ownership of learning; making choices, finding purpose, and driving growth. In Elementary School, this might look like choosing which explorer to research based on personal curiosity. In Middle School, it could mean selecting from a range of robotics projects or choosing which novel to explore as part of a shared theme in literature. In High School, agency might be seen in students choreographing an original dance, designing their own science experiments, or leading a Global Citizenship in Action initiative. Across divisions, agency makes learning more meaningful and lasting. 

Flourishing is the bigger goal. While wellbeing is about balance and support, flourishing is about living fully, with resilience and adaptability. It means embracing challenge and growing through it; whether that’s pushing through tough training on Tiger Field, reflecting on a performance, or navigating the ups and downs of a WAB Wild expedition. 

Together, these three ideas form the backbone of innovation at WAB. We know that our young people will face uncertainty, complexity, and rapid change in their lives. Success won’t be measured only by grades or test scores. Universities, employers, and communities are looking for individuals who can communicate, collaborate, adapt, and contribute with integrity. By focusing on competencies, flourishing, and agency, WAB is preparing students not just for the next step, but for the many possible futures ahead. 

Next week, we’ll explore how “big I” and “little i” innovations, from bold new courses to everyday classroom practices, work together to bring these ideas to life.