Advancing adolescent flourishing through academic coursework: A developmental blueprint for U.S. high schools

In response to the growing need for scalable approaches to support youth mental well-being, we propose the implementation of credit-bearing high school courses on the science of human development and flourishing. While similar course models have been developed and assessed at the undergraduate level, few have been adapted for the high school context. Drawing on evidence-based youth frameworks, we present a course blueprint designed to nurture adolescent identity, cultivate social and emotional skills, and promote purposeful community. We begin by reviewing research that underscores the importance of flourishing education during adolescence and present a scalable model for implementing such courses into U.S. high schools. We illustrate the potential of this model with example curricular materials and address implementation challenges unique to high school settings in the American public school system, such as scheduling and teacher preparation. Co-authored by a university researcher and secondary school leader, this article aims to advance academic coursework as a viable path to supporting adolescent mental health and well-being.