Pathways to Leadership

MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school

Pathways to Leadership

A key component of our Middle School program is leadership. As with all things at The College School, leadership is learned by doing. Our goal is to ensure that every student is challenged to step into a leadership role by the end of their Middle School years. While there are many leadership opportunities both large and small in Middle School, we offer three specific leadership programs, each of which requires a different kind of initiative or service to the larger community. Collectively, these three programs are our “Pathways to Leadership” in Middle School.

Junior Leadership Program

One of the unique features of Adventure Education at The College School is student leadership. It is not enough for our students to rock climb, spelunk, or navigate urban neighborhoods - we expect students to lead in those environments by sharing the skills and confidence that they began developing in the earliest grades. At the core of this philosophy is TCS Junior Leadership. This program gives middle school students an extracurricular opportunity to volunteer in the service of our school. For instance, Junior Leaders organize and maintain the Adventure Education gear room, assist earlier grades on campouts and field trips, and contribute to Adventure Education curriculum, among their many responsibilities. Junior Leadership is an all-volunteer program that is open to students who qualify. To be eligible for TCS Junior Leadership, a student should be enrolled in Seventh or Eighth Grade, have completed or be enrolled in an outdoor leadership class (including Rock Climbing and Outdoor Leadership), and be in strong academic standing. To apply, students should submit to the Adventure Education Coordinator a resume of educational and volunteer experiences, as well as a cover letter that explains why she or he is a good fit for the program. Admittance is also contingent on the availability of positions. There is no formal due date, though early application is advised because positions fill quickly. Note: applicants should not request a specific leadership experience, as placement includes many factors, including scheduling and skills match.

Student Service Leadership Program

The College School Student Service Leadership Program (SSLP) is a unique exploratory class that is offered to Eighth Grade students who have distinguished themselves through academics, service, and collaboration. Prospective students are selected by a committee of teachers and invited to participate. Participation is optional. SSLP students participate in service learning projects within the school; their service work replaces one of their exploratories in the winter or spring trimesters. The projects depend on the interests and skill-set of the individual student. Some students work with younger grades, while others work on a project that can benefit the school as a whole. There are many possibilities, and the student is an active designer of his or her service experience. The exact details of the placement are developed in collaboration with the Adventure Education Coordinator during the fall trimester. Note: Students in the Student Service Leadership Program are selected by teachers and notified the summer prior to Eighth Grade. There are no prerequisites for involvement other than a demonstration of excellent citizenship, kindness, and respect for others during the Sixth and Seventh Grade years.