Leadership Academy

The purpose of the Leadership Academy at W.C. Friday Middle School and The Leader in Me (LiM) model is to serve as an introduction to personal leadership. The Leader in Me teaches 21st-century leadership and life skills to students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader.

The Leader in Me (LiM) is an evidence-based, comprehensive school improvement model—developed in partnership with educators—that empowers students with leadership and life-skills. 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. The parent/legal guardian must be residents of Gaston County.

Incoming sixth grade students may apply. Rising seventh 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 High will implement The Leader in Me framework. Students do not need to have attended Costner Elementary to apply.

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 studentslearning the following 21st century skills:

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

The leadership principles and lessons are incorporated across content areas as an enhancement of everyday learning. Additionally, our school has set aside a dedicated 25 minute time frame in which leadership lessons are taught to students each day.

Students at each grade level will learn the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, and work through The Leader in Me journals to practice and deepen their understanding of those habits- working from the inside out. First by growing their ability to effectively lead themselves, then by growing the skills necessary to lead others. Students will practice and demonstrate those skills as they experience a variety of leadership and service opportunities in the Dallas community

7:45 a.m. Drop Off and 4:00 p.m. Pick Up.