Stillmeadow Elementary Named RULER Spotlight School
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Stamford Public Schools is proud to announce that Stillmeadow Elementary School has been named a 2026-2028 RULER Spotlight School by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (YCEI) at Yale University. Stillmeadow is one of a select group of schools worldwide recognized for exceptional emotional intelligence development among educators, students, and their families.
Developed at YCEI, RULER is an evidence-based approach that uses tools and routines to build core emotional intelligence skills: Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions. RULER is used in more than 5,000 schools across 33 countries to strengthen school climate, support student and adult well-being, and improve academic and social outcomes.
Spotlight Schools are selected for their sustained, high-quality implementation of RULER and their willingness to share their practices with the wider RULER community. Over the next two years, Stillmeadow Elementary will serve as a model site and partner with YCEI to highlight what strong RULER implementation looks like in practice. Stillmeadow was the first Stamford Public School to integrate a dedicated social-emotional learning program into its curriculum. RULER was introduced at Stillmeadow during the 2015-16 school year.
“Receiving the RULER Spotlight designation is a meaningful reflection of who we are as a community,” said Stillmeadow Principal Kathleen Kelley. “This designation recognizes the intentional work that our staff, students and families do each day to create a school where emotional intelligence, belonging, and relationships are valued alongside academic excellence.”
Stillmeadow uses RULER to help both students and adults build emotional intelligence, strengthen relationships, and create a school community where all feel known, valued and supported. Stillmeadow’s RULER implementation includes daily use of RULER tools and integrating RULER into classroom routines and shared language.
"I'm proud to welcome this new cohort of RULER Spotlight Schools.” said Marc Brackett, PhD, founding director of Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. “Creating emotionally intelligent communities takes courage, innovation, and real commitment to showing up for each other. This group has done that work, and it shows. I can't wait to see how they will continue to inspire others."
About Stillmeadow
Stillmeadow Elementary, which is part of Stamford Public Schools, is a K-5 school that embraces the principles of good citizenship and social emotional intelligence to create a learning community in which all students can meet their academic potential. Stillmeadow provides a collaborative, experiential learning environment that cultivates curiosity, inquiry, discovery and problem solving. The school prepares students to be productive members of a global society by celebrating diversity and encouraging respectful consideration of different perspectives.
About RULER
RULER is an evidence-based, preK-12 school-wide approach that helps educators and students develop the skills of emotional intelligence. Developed at Yale University and rooted in decades of research, data shows that schools using RULER have stronger relationships, a more positive school climate, and better outcomes for both students and staff. Learn more at rulerapproach.org.
About Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence (YCEI) is the world’s leading research and training hub for advancing emotional intelligence (EI) in education. Grounded in the reputation of Yale University, powered by a diverse team of researchers and practitioners, and guided by founder and director, Dr. Marc Brackett’s global leadership, YCEI bridges cutting-edge research with real-world practice. The Center’s work helps educators, leaders, and students strengthen EI as a foundation for personal well-being, strong relationships, and a driver of positive school climate and academic success. Learn more at ycei.org.