SUA Leadership Program

Preparing students to lead confidently.

At St. Ursula Academy, leadership is woven into everything we do. As one of our Ursuline Core Values, we know leadership is more than a buzz word—it’s the ability to act with confidence, compassion, and purpose.

Through The Leadership Program, students discover what leadership truly means and grow into it year by year.

In 2021, SUA became the first school in the nation to offer a four-year leadership program for high school girls, based on neuroscience and leadership research, taught during the school day.

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About the Program

The Leadership Program is a required nine-week course for every high school student, designed as a multi-year journey where each year builds on the last. Our curriculum is guided by leading experts in coaching and leadership development and is taught by faculty who serve as certified Leadership Coaches.

Throughout the program, students develop the skills and confidence to lead in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, and in their communities, preparing them not only for college, but for a life of meaning.

Leadership Courses

Freshman Year | Lead Yourself

Leadership I
The Foundations of Self-Leadership

Freshman year focuses on character-based leadership, teaching students that leadership starts with themselves. Students explore core leadership principles and practices that help them discover who they are and who they can become as leaders. They are building the skills needed for success now, in college, and beyond. This year is about students discovering who they are.

In Leadership I, students:

Identity and use their character strengths
Develop collaboration and teamwork skills
Cultivate a growth mindset
Create personal vision and goals for their future
Build strong self-leadership skills

Sophomore Year | Lead Yourself

Leadership II
Applied Self-Leadership

In the second year, students prepare to lead a life of purpose by exploring their unique role in positively impacting the world. They put their leadership skills into action by serving as Peer Leadership Coaches, supporting classmates in goal achievement, self-awareness, and self-directed learning.

In Leadership II, students:

Discover their core values
Gain a deeper awareness of their personal strength and skills
Develop a deeper sense of purpose
Create and communicate a values-aligned leadership vision

Junior Year | Lead Others

Leadership III
Leading with Courage and Confidence

Junior year focuses on building courage, confidence, and resilience. Students develop true inner confidence, focusing on self-love and believing in themselves. Students also learn science-based strategies to increase emotional agility, develop grit, and overcome self-doubt.

In Leadership III, students:

Rise above challenges
Achieve their goals
Lead themselves and others authentically

Juniors also take on advanced peer leadership responsibilities by serving as Peer Leadership Coaches for seventh and eighth graders in the Junior Academy. This one-on-one coaching allows leaders to inspire, guide, and support younger students.

Senior Year | Lead Change

Leadership IV
Leading Change through Service Learning

By senior year, students understand their capabilities and responsibilities as leaders who make a difference in a global society. They lead a Service-Learning Project, applying the power of project-based, experiential learning to create positive impacts on their school and community. This gives students real world, hands-on experience leading meetings, conducting assessments, pitching ideas, and even running social media campaigns.

In Leadership IV, students gain experience in:

Project management
Design thinking
Planning and completing student-lead, team-driven projects

Through these experiences, students gain valuable college and career readiness skills, preparing them for life beyond high school.

Outcomes

The Leadership Program shows statistically significant growth in positive developmental outcomes: Leader Identity, Growth Mindset, Self-Efficacy, and Sense of Purpose.

The following statistical highlights are from the 2024-2025 data collection for all students (freshmen through seniors).

95%

of students reported their leadership skills improved and they are better able to work with others as a team

93%

of students reported improved public speaking skills

91%

of students reported gaining self-awareness

90%

of students reported growing in confidence

Essential Leadership Skills

This program teaches students essential leadership skills that will carry them forward.

“After completing the course, I found that I was far more confident and aware of my self-worth. Now, I approach challenges with confidence and an open mindset.”

Lily Eberly ’25

The program was developed in partnership with girls’ leadership experts from the following institutions:

To learn more about the impact of evidence-based leadership development for girls, SUA's collaboration with Julie Carrier—a global authority on leadership development for young women—and the distinguished leadership development experts who advise The Leadership Course curriculum at SUA, please visit the link below.

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