Leadership Academy

The purpose of the Leadership Academy and The Leader in Me (LiM) model is to serve as an introduction to personal leadership. All students have the capacity to lead in their own lives and positively affect those around them by making positive choices. The Leader in Me helps  students learn practical character and life skills that will lead them in making positive life choices.

The Leader in Me (LiM) is an evidence-based, comprehensive school improvement model—developed in partnership with educators—that empowers students with the leadership and life-skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. The process includes student participation in goal setting, data tracking, leadership roles, Student-Led Conferences, leadership environments, and Leadership Events.
Instead of focusing on academic measures alone, The Leader in Me embodies a holistic approach to education, redefining how schools measure success. This approach empowers educators with effective practices and tools to:

• teach LEADERSHIP to every student,
• create a CULTURE of student empowerment,
• and align systems to drive results in ACADEMICS.

Students must be in good standing including appropriate attendance, behavior, and academics. Parent/legal guardian must be residents of Gaston County.

Incoming ninth grade students may apply. Rising tenth graders may apply with limited seats available.

The parent/legal guardian must maintain residency in Gaston County. Students must be in good standing including appropriate attendance, behavior, and academics.

Costner Elementary, W.C. Friday Middle and North Gaston will implement The Leader in Me framework.

The Leader in Me helps students develop the skills and self-confidence they need to lead their lives and succeed in school and beyond. Specifically, The Leader in Me focuses on students learning the following 21st-century skills:

• Student self-confidence
• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Responsibility
• Communication
• Creativity
• Self-direction
• Leadership
• Problem solving
• Social etiquette

Based on Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this framework incorporates these timeless habits into a K-12 framework for students to apply in their daily lives.

• Habits 1, 2, and 3 are focused on self-mastery and moving from dependence to independence.
• Habits 4, 5, and 6 are focused on developing teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills, and moving from independence to interdependence.
• Habit 7 is focused on continuous growth and improvement and embodies all the other habits

Students may earn a Leadership Credential if they meet the program graduation requirements.

Students in the Leadership Academy will have yearly service projects, a portfolio project, guest speakers, and real-world experiences with community partners.

Students in the Leadership Academy will follow a pathway in which they will take at least one leadership course per year. The Gaston County core classes are still a requirement for graduation.

Sharpen your saw (create balance in your life)
Think win-win (rather than looking for one solution)
Begin with the end in mind (what is the goal)

Drop-off begins at 7:45 a.m., and pick-up is at 4:30 p.m.