Our Whole Lives (OWL): Honest, Accurate + Life-Affirming Sex Ed

Are you looking to ensure your child has the knowledge and skills to navigate topics such as puberty, relationships, body image, media use, and more, in a positive and developmentally appropriate way? In a world where youth are constantly flooded with confusing messages about many aspects of their sexuality, it can be hard to know if they truly understand what is healthy or accurate. Our Whole Lives (OWL) provides a clear, honest, and medically accurate foundation for everyone—from elementary schoolers to older adults.

While OWL was originally developed by two religious organizations, the curriculum itself is secular and free of any religious dogma. Instead, it’s built on a foundation of values we can all get behind: self-worth, justice, responsibility, inclusivity, and sexual health.

Why is OWL a Gold-Standard Sex Ed program?

OWL doesn’t just talk about the "birds and the bees." It recognizes that sexuality is complex and influenced by our emotions, our culture, and our biology. Here is why it’s considered a gold-standard program:

  • Meets or Exceeds National Standards: The curriculum is informed by the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education and meets or exceeds National Sexuality Education Standards.

  • Research-Backed: It is recognized for promoting sexual health and sexual violence prevention through quality, evidence-informed principles.

  • Inclusive & Holistic: It helps students explore their own values and understand how those values shape their choices and relationships.

Where you can find OWL programs

Because it’s so adaptable, you’ll find OWL programs popping up all over the community, including:

  • Public, charter, and private schools

  • After-school programs and youth groups

  • Homeschooling communities and colleges

  • Faith communities and other local organizations

Learning in OWL is fun!

We know that talking about sexuality can sometimes feel a little awkward at first, but we’re here to break the ice. Our facilitators work hard to make every session dynamic and engaging.

Active & Sensory Friendly Learning

We love a good fidget toy! We encourage students to use tactile and sensory supports to stay focused. We take frequent breaks and use movement-based activities to keep the energy up.

Neurodiversity Welcome

Many of our educators have extensive experience working with neurodiverse groups. If your child has specific needs, please reach out—we want everyone to feel comfortable.

Teamwork makes the Dream Work

Every class is led by at least two experienced educators. This ensures students get individualized support and a variety of perspectives.

Information for parents + caregivers

We believe you are your child’s primary sexuality educator. Our goal isn’t to take your place, but to give you the tools and knowledge to make those "big talks" at home a lot easier and more open.

Here’s what you can expect when you register your child for an OWL class.

Orientation

Before the program begins, parents attend a meeting to walk through the curriculum and ask any questions.

Weekly Updates

You’ll stay in the loop with weekly emails summarizing class topics and any "homework" (the fun kind!).

Consent

Participation requires signed consent from both the student and their caregivers.

At-Home Resources

Parents of 5th and 6th graders receive extra resources specifically designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the living room.

What are real parents saying about OWL?

My daughter really enjoyed the experience of OWL! She reflected on how fun the leaders of the group made learning about these themes. She felt valued in this community and safe with leadership and peers. As a parent, I enjoyed connecting with her about themes that interested her most, such as healthy relationships, navigating tricky friendships and puberty. These classes sparked great conversations at home!

OWL parent of 6th-grade student

My son completed the 5th/6th OWL program, and I am grateful he participated. I told him he could read a book, learn from me, or take a class. He immediately opted in to take a class. While I don’t think he is ever going to sing the praises of going to health education as a middle schooler, he also didn’t push back after the initial meeting about the course. That fact is the same as getting a glowing middle school endorsement from my child. As a parent, I felt confident in the science-based curriculum, the age-appropriate delivery, and the genuine engagement from the course facilitators. I also felt like the facilitators did a nice job of keeping parents connected to the conversations happening in the program. I have recommended this program to other families and intend to have my son attend again for the programs focused on later stages of puberty and development.

5th/6th Grade Program OWL Parent

"In a world where there are so many sources of information for young people, and so many of them are harmful or focused only on sex, figuring out how to help our kids gain skills and resources for thinking about themselves in community as whole people--and learning about sexuality, friendship, and relationships in that broad context--has been such a gift. Celena teaches and facilitates with knowledge and curiosity, the sessions are thoughtful and social. Our teenager took both her middle and high school sessions and now our 11 year old is ready to start. Our community is so lucky to have these classes available!"

Middle and High School OWL Parent

Learn more about OWL + Comprehensive Sex Ed

Explore Age Groups: Learn about the specific goals and topics for each "age and stage" of OWL.

Find an OWL program: Check out our Community Programs page to find a local OWL program for your child.

Resource Library: Visit our Sex-Positive Resource page for a curated list of tools for children, teens, families, and adults.