Ivy Hall Academy Shines as a Leader in Me School
At Ivy Hall Academy, we are passionate about championing leadership. We’ve made leadership an integral part of everything we do through the Leader in Me program. This honor reflects our deep commitment to student leadership, culture, and academic growth. Through the Leader in Me program, we’ve built a culture where every student is empowered to lead, every voice matters, and learning goes far beyond academics.
At Ivy Hall, we feel like this describes our transformational vision. We’re proud to be part of this global network of schools recognized for:
- Empowering every student to lead
- Building a high-trust school culture
- Achieving measurable academic and social outcomes
We love this model, which is deeply rooted in a simple but powerful structure: SEE – DO – GET.
The Leader In Me Framework: SEE – DO – GET
At Ivy Hall, our teachers and staff start with important beliefs. We believe everyone has genius, and we believe every student has potential. However, outside of Ivy Hall Academy, these beliefs are sometimes questioned. Helping our parents and students grasp our vision starts with each of us. When we make these our core beliefs, we shape how we see education—and one another.
At Ivy Hall, this starts with our students. Our teachers strive to incorporate our core paradigms into every lesson, using effective practices that lead to measurable results. Leadership must be both taught and modelled. Our See – Do – Get structure ensures every student has the opportunity to learn and embrace these leadership skills, which they then share with their families.
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SEE: Core Paradigms
- Everyone can lead.
- Everyone has genius.
- Educators and families develop the whole child.
DO: Effective Practices
- Leadership: Staff model leadership, students are taught to lead, families are engaged.
- Culture: Shared leadership, student voice, leadership roles/events.
- Academics: Personal goal setting, portfolios, student-led conferences.
GET: Measurable Results
- Confident, capable student leaders
- A culture where everyone feels valued
- Students owning their learning and hitting goals
Why Leadership Matters
Being a Leader In Me School isn’t about perfection, it’s about purpose. When teachers foster an environment of trust and growth, students learn how to embrace their personal leadership skills and inherent genius. They also realize that they can be part of something bigger than them, and gain the confidence to lead out in making change.
To foster this environment, Ivy Hall students lead assemblies, set goals, and mentor peers. Staff and families work together to raise well-rounded, future-ready kids. As a result, our students learn to lead and help others work towards personal growth. This creates real outcomes: stronger academics, better behavior, and empowered students who believe in themselves.
Cynthia’s Vision in Action
No one has championed the Leader in Me program more than Cynthia Simpson, our Executive Director and Head of School. She pushed for full integration of Leader in Me because she believes in leadership not as a program, but as a mindset. She believes strongly in building a school where leadership isn’t just taught, it’s lived. Her drive ensures the entire Ivy Hall community, from teachers and staff to parents and students, can use this common language of leadership.
A Light for Others
At Ivy Hall, we strive not only to lead, but to light the way for others. That’s why our commitment to the Leader In Me program means so much to us! It affirms what our community already knows: Ivy Hall is a place where students don’t just learn, they lead. And when students are empowered to lead, they believe in themselves and everyone they know. Our students leave Ivy Hall with the beliefs and tools that they can enact change in the world around them.
