This paper draws from the Center on Reinventing Public Education's (CRPE's) study of pandemic pods conducted in 2020 and 2021 to understand what lessons can be drawn from the focused implementation of the whole-child approach in pandemic learning communities and to what degree these lessons are applicable to traditional schooling. The majority of the learning environments and their leaders that are the focus of this paper intentionally aimed to support children's social, emotional, physical, and mental health and/or identity development, as well as their academic growth. Promoting a safe, supportive, connected, and culturally competent learning environment was also a key priority, especially in pods designed for students who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). Universally, these elements were supplemental to academic instruction.