Class equips Schoo students for leadership opportunities

Schoo Middle School eighth-grade students are honing their leadership skills through a semester-long elective class aimed at helping them develop life skills. Lessons include topics like goal setting, future planning, organization, time management and leadership. 


“We learn habits to be a good leader. We demonstrate the skills and then use them throughout the school,” Schoo eighth-grade student Alex said.


“I wanted to get involved in this class. I like helping people and I think it’s good to be a leader,” fellow classmate Preston added.


The students get hands-on experience exercising leadership around Schoo and the community. They volunteer each Friday doing various service activities such as reading to Life Skills students, helping teachers with classroom projects and aiding with the YMCA preschool.  Seventh-grade science teacher Bre Jones leads the class. She is integral in showing the eighth graders their potential and building it. 


“I think it is important for students to see and develop their leadership potential early. Many of my students that come into the class do not see themselves as a leader, but by the end of the class, they do. They recognize their strengths and are more confident in themselves,” she said.


Schoo’s leadership class has been around for approximately seven years– helping the Skyhawks fulfill their mission of educating, enriching, serving and supporting. 


“Schoo's Leadership students exemplify what we want our young scholars to achieve both academically and socially at Schoo Middle School.  By setting an example for their peers, a positive culture is built to make Schoo Middle School a better environment for learning for all students,” Schoo Principal Ryan Escamilla said. 


Published: March 20, 2023, Updated: March 20, 2023

Schoo Middle School eighth grade students work on vision boards during their leadership class.