SCLC organizes senior project, JCLC plans prom, SoCLC coordinates service opportunities, and FCLC…doesn’t exist. But it should.

Class Leadership Councils offer the perfect opportunity to connect students with the administration— they make student voice heard. Grade specific leadership allows for conversation surrounding more local issues, so councils can fine tune their plans of action as opposed to wrangling school-wide concerns like USC.

In addition to contributing to integral parts of the SPA high school experience, such as community service, retreats, dances, and senior project, Class Leadership Councils can also turn their focus to more social and emotional pieces of grade dynamic, establishing a positive environment within the grade.

Class Leadership Councils also make leadership at SPA more inclusive. Members are chosen through a written application followed by an interview, which is appealing to those who aren’t big on public speaking. Additionally, students often complain that USC, SAC, and C3 elections turn into popularity contests. With Class Leadership Councils, this issue does not exist. Considering all of the positive impact that Class Leadership Councils have on the SPA community, it’s a surprise that not every grade is offered the opportunity to apply.

Some could argue that freshmen are too new to the upper school community to truly understand the dynamic or expectations of high school life but the presence of elected officials from the 9th grade on USC, SAC, and C3 would say otherwise. So why aren’t the newest members of the high school allowed a Class Leadership Council of their own?

“Leadership in the SPA community is important, and it’s sad that the freshmen aren’t offered this experience. It creates a feeling that we’re not valued as a class,” said 9th grader Lily Ellis.   

Each grade grows a unique identity and values throughout the high school experience, and that growth is driven by leaders — leaders that find their place in Class Leadership Councils.

The addition of a Class Leadership Council would allow for 9th graders to establish their place in the SPA community.