There are a variety of strategies a single-sex school can employ to capitalize on an all-girls environment and provide an array of opportunities for students to grow in confidence and hone their leadership skills. Running for office on a student-council may seem an obvious choice, but not all students have that comfort level. Oak Knoll deploys the following strategies to ensure that all students can explore leadership (whether with a lower case “l” or an upper case “L”) throughout their Middle and Upper School years.
A Robust System of Clubs
Dedicating time in the school day for clubs and offering a wide array of offerings allows young women to emerge as club leaders in a smaller setting and amongst peers with similar interests. These opportunities to volunteer as leaders are less threatening to some students who may not be willing to run for office in a more public fashion.
Student-Led Clubs
Allowing students to suggest and lead their own clubs provides a stepping stone beyond basic club leadership and engages additional organizational and planning skills essential to more public leadership roles.
Peer-to-Peer Programs
Student Councils in schools are excellent opportunities for young emerging leaders to take on organizational leadership roles. Running for office is rewarding regardless of the outcome. In addition, schools can establish robust and meaningful peer-to-peer mentoring programs that provide a range of positions for students to lead by example, serve as empathetic role models, and promote social emotional health amongst younger students. For example, The Peer Leader Program at Oak Knoll comprises two seniors working with small groups of 7 and 8 graders. The Senior Peer leaders meet once a cycle. The meetings include discussions about social and academic pressures; relationships with peers, parents, and faculty; and any problems or concerns that need to be addressed. The younger girls develop a special rapport with their “older sisters” and emulate their behavior and attitude. Seventh- and eighth-graders gain a sense of comfort and belonging and more connectedness to the high school.
Form External Partnerships
In addition to internal signature leadership programs, external partnerships allow students to demonstrate their leadership growth to members of the greater community and world. For example, all seniors at Oak Knoll participate in the Emerging Leaders in a Global World program facilitated by Dr. Rebecca Stilwell, Ph.D., an Organizational Psychologist and professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. In addition, 10, 11, and 12 grade students have the option of participating in a 12-week virtual program that allows students to learn about social entrepreneurship and experience it first-hand, while earning a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from Pennsylvania University.
Foster Confidence
Lack of confidence is one of the leading reasons students are reluctant to serve as club, council, or peer leaders. Age-appropriate confidence building programs and activities prepare more students to step out of their comfort zones and into positions of leadership. Oak Knoll’s EmpowerHER program is one such confidence building tool. The program teaches girls in their first few years of Middle School to take risks, build confidence, and be themselves. It is based on principles outlined in “The Confidence Code for Girls” by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman. The program is facilitated by grade 7 and 8 teachers and incorporates a variety of class bonding and self discovery activities.
Whether it is on the athletic field as a team captain, on the stage in a lead or supporting role, in a chorus performing for peers, playing an instrument or taking on a solo in a music ensemble, leaders emerge with a range of roles and responsibilities. Bolstering these everyday leadership opportunities with intentional programming at various stages of their academic, personal, and social development builds confidence, nurtures empathy, and empowers students to emerge as global leaders in a changing world. At Oak Knoll, we believe in the unique value of an all-girls education in Middle and High School so girls can learn to lead outside the context of certain male stereotypes sometimes associated with “leadership.”
“There are many incredible benefits to an all girl education, and that includes opportunities to build leadership skills that are tailored to the passions of our student population,” says Upper School Division Head Kate McGroarty. “All of our leadership programs empower young women in the Middle and Upper School to pursue ideas that they care about as a community.”
