LEARNING TO BE A LEADER

Somis Academy Mentors Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

From the inception of the school, Somis Academy has looked at the student as a moldable individual whose walk through life will be one of independence and based on the foundations of character and values developed during the educational experience—a leader in his/her own parade of life.

To that end, Somis Academy has always sought to offer educational experiences based on the individual learner’s ambitions and goals.

Learning to Lead is an important part of life’s discovery process. To lead, one must first learn to follow. One must learn options that are available and one must learn to use the most advanced tools that are currently available.

For that purpose, Somis Academy has assigned four required electives to teach through discovery leadership qualities so essential in today’s world.

· High School Students will take a five credit introduction to business which includes career exploration

· High School Students will take a five credit technology course, which is often developed by the student in conjunction with the Technology department chair. It may include applied technology in a career focus, or it may be a course in learning to use computer tools to complete assignments.

· High School students will participate in Service Learning—a five credit class that assists the student to determine individual interests and values and select a service project that will support future growth and development. Embedded in this course is a five hour a month service to the school.

· High School students will complete a capstone Leadership project wherein the student exhibits abilities to create a plan, meet with community leaders to present and complete the plan through directing the work of others.

These four courses give the students eyes to see the world from a new perspective, and assist the student to go forth from the Academy prepared to meet ongoing challenges from a leadership position.