Welcome to Leadership U., a comprehensive, equitably designed college and career preparation program for students in grades four through twelve intended to complement the academic groundwork being laid by educators. Early and ongoing intervention is known to be a critical element in increasing the likelihood that students in underserved communities will attend college and then thrive there and beyond. Crucially, intervention is most effective when it starts at an early age—planting the seeds in young minds that college is a realistic option for them—and continues from elementary school through high school. The Leadership U. program provides grade-appropriate preparation scaffolded through four curriculum manuals, each tailored to a specific stage of learning, and includes a supplement to guide high school students through the college application process. The interactive lessons of the Grades 9–10: Preparing for Postsecondary Success curriculum focus students on setting goals, establishing personal values, developing effective study and self-management skills, investing in academic achievement, forming healthy relationships, embracing and celebrating diversity, and fostering resilience. Participants have the opportunity to define who they are as leaders as part of The Leadership Program’s proven-effective approach to enrichment and social and emotional learning, which has been implemented in thousands of classrooms for hundreds of thousands of students.
