Philosophy and Research
Leadership Program
Description
The goal of the Orchard House School Leadership program is to develop adolescent girls who understand personal and collective power and use both to contribute to the world.
The program is a four-year, interdisciplinary program with multiple facets for fifth through eighth grade students. In the fifth grade, the emphasis is on roots: getting each girl off to a good start academically, physically, emotionally, and socially. In sixth grade, the focus is on respect, both personal and mutual, as girls develop tools for self-respect, understanding differences, and building a strong community. In seventh grade, the emphasis is on one’s personal journey: exploring what is true for oneself as an individual in the context of other lives and leaders. In eighth grade, the emphasis is on voice and wings as the girls move on to high school, making the transition into the larger world as young women.
The content of the Leadership program is taught within the homerooms, within academic, Arts, and Physical Education classes, and as part of the Computer and Math Labs. Other sections of the program are taught as discrete leadership classes, in community town meetings, and in schoolwide meetings and assemblies. Times for the classes vary from one fifty-minute class period, for teaching time management in the fifth grade to six ninety-minute periods in sixth grade for working with social dynamics. The amount of time allotted to a specific topic depends upon the content and needs of the class. The content of the coursework, in general and within a strand, is tailored year by year to the needs of each grade. Topics may be discrete (Ethics in the eighth grade) or spiraling (such as Health and Well-being which crosses all four grades and adds greater depth each successive year). A girl’s leadership experience at Orchard House School concludes with her eighth grade graduation speech, which she writes and delivers to the school community.
Objectives
Personal Authority and Excellence
- to assume personal responsibility for learning and actions
- to voice personal opinions and beliefs respectfully
- to understand and respect her personal strengths and learning style
- to trust she has gifts and talents to make a difference
- to practice living a healthy and balanced lifestyle
Respect and Community
- to develop the tools and awareness to be an engaged and positive member of multiple communities: family, home, school, local, national, and international
- to respect others’ learning styles, abilities, opinions, backgrounds, and beliefs
- to respect the environment and the community in words and deeds
- to lead and follow successfully
- to serve others
Tools for the Future
- to possess the academic tools for success at the next level of endeavor
- to use tools for effective decision making, to weigh multiple opinions and solutions, to exercise discernment
- to think causally, relationally, creatively, critically, and analytically
- to develop positive strategies to navigate through uncertainty and to solve problems
- to make connections to information across disciplines and to the real world
- to know how to gather, analyze, and synthesize information
- to possess the quantitative and technological skills necessary for continuing levels of achievement
- to write and speak effectively and with conviction
Content
All topics inform the Education program. Only dedicated courses and grades are noted.
I. Art and Creativity
A. Grade 5 - Dream Quilt
B. Grade 6 - Masks .
C. Grade 7 - Sanctuary Boxes
D. Grade 8 - Dinner Party
II. Career Awareness
A. Math Lab
B. Guest Speakers
III. Civics and Citizenship
A.History
B.Ethics
IV. Communication Skills
A. Drama
B. Town Meetings
C. Throne Talks
D. Graduation Speeches
V. Community Development
A. Homerooms
B. Town Meetings
C. Base Groups
VI. Diversity
VII. Ethics and Decision Making
A. Ethics - Grade 8
B. Decision Making
i. Health Education
ii. Finance
VIII. Finance
A. Finance - Grade 5
B. Finance - Grade 6
IX. Global Issues: History - Grade 8
X. Health and Well-Being
A. Health Education
B. Physical Education
XI. Hero’s Quest: English - Grade 7
XII. Leadership Models and Styles
XIII. Mathematics for the Real World
A. Math Classes
B. Math Lab
XIV. Quantitative Reasoning
XV. Self-Awareness and Personal Development
XVI. Service Learning
XVII. Social Skills
XVIII. Study Skills and Organization
XIX. Time Management
XX. Transitions
A. Grade 5, Entering Students
B. Grade 8, High Schools
