PBATs not Regents
PBATs, or Performance-Based Assessment Tasks, are in-depth analytical papers that students research, write, and revise in every class. In eleventh and twelfth grade, students must publicly defend their PBATs before a panel of teachers and visiting experts during a process called Mastery Passages.
PBATs offer students the opportunity to produce the kind of sophisticated, high-level work typically expected in a college course. They are an authentic and powerful measure of students' readiness for the challenges of college-level work. These results are rooted in research: graduates of the 45 PBAT schools across NY State were studied for several years to see how they were doing in college. This study showed that those PBAT schools send 88% of their graduates to college, compared to 70% citywide. 77% attend 4-year colleges and stay in school longer than the national average. These students have attended all types of colleges, all over the USA, with 53% enrolling in “competitive” to “most competitive” colleges. (Source: Phi Delta Kappan, January, 2007.)
In order to meet minimum requirements for graduation, Leaders students complete PBATs at the end of every semester in all classes and present a minimum of four Mastery Passages - in English, history, mathematics, and science - during their junior and senior years.
College Preparation
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Applying to college can be overwhelming, so Leaders provides a full-time college counselor who helps our students and their families navigate the process. Our counselor offers financial aid workshops for parents, coordinates college trips for all grades, and supports students as they write their essays and complete applications. As a result, 100% of Leaders graduates have been accepted to college every year since 2012.
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One of the most effective ways we support our college-going culture is by enrolling every junior and senior in our College and Career Dreams class to prepare for life after Leaders. In eleventh grade, students research colleges, practice interview skills, and participate in an internship. In twelfth grade, students learn about college life and apply to schools. These classes ensure that every student leaves Leaders with a plan for his/her future.
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Colleges are looking for more than just good grades, and we want to make sure our students take advantage of the wealth of opportunities New York City has to offer. Our full-time internship coordinator provides every junior with a semester-long internship tailored to his/her interest and seeks out other experiences to share with our underclassmen including volunteer organizations, summer employment, and shadowing programs.
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During our annual College March, seniors march their final college applications to a waiting mail truck while the rest of the Leaders' students, staff, and community partners line the street and cheer them on. This culminating celebration highlights the hard work of our twelfth graders and shows underclassmen that their college dreams are possible.
Core Values
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LEADING: We develop self-confidence, self-discipline, and compassion in order to lead in and out of school.
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LEARNING: We seek out new learning opportunities and pursue our passions wherever they may lead.
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CONTRIBUTING: We strengthen our community and act as agents of change so that all members can thrive.
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EXPLORING: We look for challenges and experiences that push us out of our comfort zones as we explore ourselves, our communities, and the world.
Restorative Practices
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We take an approach to discipline that is focused on changing behavior and repairing harm. Instead of handing out punishments, restorative practices allow students to reflect on and learn from their mistakes , and one of the main ways we do that is through circles. We use circles to celebrate, heal, share, and resolve conflicts. Whether they happen during crew or after a student returns from a prolonged absence, this practice creates a community that welcomes everyone.
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Students take the lead in our restorative work in a variety of ways:
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Students selected to be peer mediators undergo six weeks of intense training before they are able to mediate conflicts between their peers. This program allows students to help each other and solves problems before they escalate.
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Juniors and seniors who apply to be peer mentors are specially trained to act as role models for the community. They work closely with the ninth graders, helping them make the transition to high school, visiting their crews every week, and joining them on the Crew Orientation camping trip.
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In partnership with Teachers Unite, students participate in the Justice Schools Pilot, a youth-led alternative to suspension program. These students undergo a rigorous screening process, attend a 3-day transformative justice training, and design and implement a school structure that supports and strengthens our work around restorative practices.
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As a result of these practices, Leaders has dramatically reduced the number of suspensions and conflicts in school.
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Demographics
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Total enrollment: 285
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17% African American
16% Asian
42% Latino
23% White
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76% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch
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Leaders students are from over 30 countries and speak 17 different languages.
