This article is sponsored by Leadership Prep School.
It’s easy to find complaints about education these days. Everywhere one looks, there are gaps in the ways that teachers are supported, students are served, employers’ expectations are met, and results are produced.
One school in particular in Frisco, however, is intentionally tackling gaps – Leadership Prep School is working hard to create a unique culture and striking results as they close gaps for students, teachers, employers, and the entire Frisco community.
Taking the Lead
LPS is primarily focused on solving gaps for students through frequent and consistent exposure to cutting-edge technology and by constantly challenging students to achieve their greatest leadership potential.
Technology is in every classroom in every grade at LPS, but the school doesn’t stop there. In October, school leadership announced that, after a year-long hiatus from any student cell phone use, 10th-12th graders would be granted open phone use during school hours. The school made this decision as a nod to the school’s commitment to student productivity and student responsibility.
In the October newsletter, Principal Audra Floyd had this to say about the school’s decision,
Our decision to allow open access to phones for our 10-12 grade students came naturally after reevaluating the high school’s leadership development principles we want to give our students. As a faculty, we’re looking at what we stand for as an institution. Now more than ever we’re looking through the lens of leadership.
LPS is also encouraging students to lead and develop practical skills by hosting TEDx Youth Talks on February 29, 2020. The talks are intended to promote deep discussion, critical thinking, connection, and confidence in students who have already distinguished themselves as leaders among their classmates.
By closing gaps now for students, LPS leadership ultimately envisions closing gaps for employers in the community down the road. According to one study, under ⅓ of employers think that recent college graduates are well prepared for the workforce in regard to their critical thinking and communication skills.
But LPS is determined to change that outlook by focusing on graduating students, for whom strong critical thinking and skillful communication is second nature, by the end of 12th grade.
But LPS isn’t only closing gaps for students. LPS is setting an example for schools across the nation by focusing intentionally on teacher development, support, and training. The streamlined vision for teacher support and staff development was cast at a staff retreat in August by the leadership. Michelle Creamer, one of the principal-administrators, noted,
The importance of teacher development is crucial to our existence. We believe we have the best teachers and want to make them better.
LPS is also closing gaps in the greater community of Frisco, by encouraging and inspiring students to volunteer, serve, and focus on projects that affect the wider community.
Dallas Thompson is one shining example. He was recently accepted into the VolunTEEN Corps’ Frisco Advisory Board for the 2019-2010 school year. The purpose of the VolunTEEN Corps in Frisco is to provide the Library with feedback and direction for their teen programming. A spot on the advisory committee will provide Thompson with exposure to leadership training and communication opportunities that many high-school students never see.
The project-based learning aspect of the school often impacts the community as well, as students choose projects that address concerns that they become aware of in the community, in their neighborhoods, or on the local news.
LPS leadership believes deeply in developing people and their community. Their intentional efforts are positively impacting the Leadership Prep School students, teachers and staff, the Frisco community, and beyond.
