Upper School Leadership, Ethics, and Development
The Philosophy
The Upper School LEAD program cultivates leadership, ethics and the development of health and well being. In grade-specific, small groups, students participate in active discussions, activities, and self reflections centered on the theme that everyone has the ability to lead. Students explore the many skills that define models of leadership and the many forms that leadership takes. Students are encouraged to find avenues to exhibit their inner leader. These lessons are designed to foster healthy decision-making as students gain increased independence in various areas of their lives. Topics and activities explored during LEAD include, but are not limited to, Mindfulness/Yoga, Colors Personality Surveys, college aptitude programs, healthy relationships and Pathways. All students are enrolled in the appropriate LEAD course automatically each year. These courses are graded pass/fail and do not count in the student’s 5-6 academic courses. Students successfully pass LEAD by understanding and engaging in class discussions and activities.
Leading with Ethics and Character
Open to: 9th Grade
In their first immersion at Derryfield, students learn introductory information related to what makes an effective and trusted leader in the 21st century. Each student completes the True Colors and various self reflections, and is introduced to the idea of their own role as a leader in our community. They are able to connect these experiences to potential leadership opportunities throughout their Derryfield journey. This ties into a larger exploration into community and belonging. In addition, students learn the importance of ethical decision-making and building trust via collaboration and understanding multiple viewpoints.
Living a Happy and Healthy Life
Open to: 10th Grade
Tenth grade students explore the brain-body connection in an integrated unit on healthy lifestyle choices. This includes, but is not limited to, students taking away different coping strategies for managing stress, understanding peer to peer friendships and relationships, a re-exploration of ethical decision making and how drugs, alcohol and peer pressure influence our ability to access the rational parts of our brain. In the spring trimester, tenth grade students will work with the college counseling office to complete a skills and interest inventory to brainstorm possible college majors and careers.
Building Connections
Open to: 11th Grade
Eleventh grade LEAD is centered around the Japanese word Ikigai, a concept which encourages finding one’s life purpose. Students will complete a vocational learning project, which includes an informational interview and an in person observation in a particular career of interest or volunteer service area. Students will also develop resumes and a final project presentation. This leads students to the second half of their 11th grade LEAD class with the College Counseling Office through an introduction to SCOIR, the platform that students will use to apply to college. Throughout the winter and spring trimesters, they meet with the College Office to begin preparing for their college journeys.
Reflection and Writing
Open to: 12th Grade
Seniors experience LEAD with the College Counseling Office in the fall trimester. The program supports students as they immerse themselves in the college process by providing time to reflect on who they have become, what is important to them, and how they can communicate their story to colleges. During LEAD meeting time, they work both independently and with a writing coach to draft, conference on and revise various parts of their college applications including essays and personal statements. Students revisit LEAD in the spring trimester prior to their ISPs through a program called LEAD Launch. LEAD Launch is a speaker series in which students are exposed to a variety of topics related to life after Derryfield.
