Student leadership is about developing skills and qualities that will benefit young people throughout their lives. By empowering students to take on leadership roles, Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD) is preparing them for success professionally and personally.
When students take on leadership roles in school, they gain valuable experience working with others, managing projects and making decisions. These skills are highly sought after by employers and can give students a competitive edge when entering the workforce or applying to post-secondary institutions.
QCUSD offers leadership opportunities for every student, at every grade level:
AVID
Advancement Via Individual Determination, or AVID, is embedded in all QCUSD schools. This concept is rooted in student agency, empowering students to believe in themselves, persist through challenges, and take an active role in their learning. AVID develops self-advocacy and encourages student involvement in their school and their community.
Student Council
Each of our 14 schools has an elected Student Council. The student council is the voice of the student body and they focus on school spirit events, fundraisers and community service activities to encourage all students to be a positive, productive member of a community.
Link Crew/WEB
Link Crew, a club found in each high school, and its junior high counterpart, WEB (Where Everyone Belongs), consists of upperclass student mentors who run orientation for incoming students and then follow up throughout the school year to support students as they adapt to their new school. At this age, peers have a strong influence over one another, and these programs help students become a positive influence while developing leadership and communication skills.
Career, technical student organizations
QCUSD schools engage students through extracurricular activities that help them hone their future career leadership skills. Groups like Future Farmers of America, Future Business Leaders of America and several others allow students to build upon what they’ve learned in their chosen field. Through these organizations, they put their career and technical skills to the test, competing in state, national and international venues.
Leader in Me
Leader In Me is an elementary-based leadership program. Students are challenged to develop their skills and confidence through several pillars of character based on Franklin Covey’s “Seven Habits of Successful Leaders.”
Lead Out Loud
Lead Out Loud is an organization unique to QCUSD schools. It provides opportunities for students who have leadership potential, but may not see it in themselves. Students who are not currently in another leadership program like Student Council are selected by their teachers to attend an annual district conference, lead a participatory budgeting process at their school and complete the C.A.R.E challenge to implement a service project that benefits their community. Through this program, students develop skills in project management, planning, civic responsibility and the importance of being an engaged and involved citizen.
To learn more about leadership in QCUSD schools or how you can help students develop their potential, click here.
Dr. Perry Berry has been superintendent of the Queen Creek Unified School District since June 2015.
