The Best Leadership Programs for High School Students at St. Agnes
Discover the best leadership programs for high school students at St. Agnes Academy. Here, young women build confidence, develop leadership skills, and grow their capabilities!
As a St. Agnes Academy student, you know that leadership is more than a label. It’s a way to show courage, compassion, and confidence, making a positive impact on those around you.
High school is the ideal time to explore who you are as a leader, understand different leadership styles, and discover how your gifts can serve others. Whether you’re outspoken, quietly powerful, or still figuring it out, St. Agnes offers countless opportunities to strengthen your leadership skills in meaningful ways.
If you’re searching for the best leadership programs for high school students, remember that St. Agnes provides a rich landscape of experiences. There is no shortage of opportunities covering academics, arts, faith, athletics, and so much more.
See how you can tap into our leadership programs to problem-solve, collaborate, innovate, and lead with purpose!
What Leadership Means at St. Agnes Academy
Leadership at St. Agnes is rooted in the Dominican pillars of Study, Prayer, Community, and Preaching. These values shape young women who lead with integrity, think critically, and live joyfully.
Whether you’re participating in a club, guiding a retreat, captaining a team, or using this pre-college time to develop skills you need in college and beyond, your leadership skills can be put into action in these areas.
1. Student Government & Elected Leadership Roles
If you feel called to shape campus life, Student Government offers powerful hands-on leadership programs for juniors and seniors as well as underclassmen. These roles help you develop:
- Public speaking and communication
- Event planning and collaboration
- Strategic decision-making
- Team leadership
- Creative problem-solving
From Class Officers to Student Body President, these positions allow students to represent their peers and practice real-world leadership skills valued at colleges and universities across the United States.
2. Leadership Through Service: Campus Ministry & Mission Work
Some of the strongest leaders are servant leaders. Through Campus Ministry, students build leadership through:
- Retreat leadership roles
- Peer ministry opportunities
- Social justice initiatives
- Mission work, including regional trips
- Campus-wide service projects
These experiences can help strengthen empathy, compassion, communication, and community-building. You’ll discover leadership styles rooted in service, faith, and a commitment to others.
3. Academic Leadership Through Honors, AP Pathways & Research
Academic leadership is about curiosity, discipline, and courage. Students can take initiative in the following ways:
- Honors and AP pathways
- Independent research opportunities
- Collaborative coursework with Strake Jesuit
- Peer tutoring and academic mentoring
- Additional programs in STEM, humanities, and the arts
These academic paths prepare students for pre-college success, helping them develop analysis, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are all essential leadership skills.
4. Building Confident Communicators in Speech & Debate
Every great leader must know how to communicate clearly and confidently. Our Speech & Debate program helps students develop these critical skills:
- Persuasive speaking
- Research and argumentation
- Structured thinking
- Leadership styles based on influence and clarity
National recognition in public speaking competitions demonstrates that St. Agnes students can excel on major platforms. You’ll be prepared for future leadership roles in law, politics, advocacy, and public service.
5. Leading in the Arts: Theater, Dance, and Fine Arts
Creative leadership shines across our Fine Arts programs. Students can step into leadership by serving in these key roles:
- Stage managers and production leaders
- Choreographers and captains
- Visual art mentors
- Music and ensemble section leaders
These opportunities help build collaboration, discipline, creativity, and emotional intelligence, which are qualities essential for modern leadership development.
6. Athletic Leadership: Captains, Mentors, and Tiger Athletics Winners
The world of sports is the ultimate platform to develop leadership skills. Athletics help form student leaders who are resilient, disciplined, and team-oriented. Student-athletes at St. Agnes strengthen leadership skills through these opportunities:
- Team captain roles
- Mentorship of younger teammates
- Strategic communication
- Conflict resolution and problem solving
- Upholding team values and sportsmanship
At St. Agnes, the Tiger Pride Awards celebrate the athletes who best embody these leadership qualities. It’s an honor that signals strong character and leadership potential. These winners are role models for their peers and serve as inspiration for future student-athletes.
7. Leadership in Clubs & Organizations: Numerous Ways to Lead
With more than 85 student clubs and organizations, St. Agnes offers limitless leadership programs students may enjoy, including:
- STEM clubs and robotics
- Cultural and affinity groups
- Service organizations
- Student media and publications
- Environmental and civic engagement clubs
These opportunities allow students to practice initiative, start new ideas, and explore leadership styles in a supportive environment with fellow peers and supporting faculty.
8. Student Leadership Through Tradition & Community Events
St. Agnes traditions create meaningful leadership opportunities across grade levels. You can tap into leadership opportunities to lead initiatives, such as:
- Assumption of Leadership ceremony
- Black History Month event planning
- Cultural Pageant organization
- Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year retreats away from campus
- Large-scale service projects
- Campus celebrations and events
These experiences empower high school students to organize, collaborate, and lead with spirit and purpose.
Alumnae Leaders: The Long-Term Impact of Leadership
The leadership journey at St. Agnes continues well beyond graduation. Our amazing alumnae include medical professionals who bring specialized care to underserved communities, engineers and robotics leaders, and journalists shaping essential conversations.
We are also proud of entrepreneurs who have launched mission-driven companies, creatives who are thriving in film and media, and public servants and nonprofit leaders advocating for justice and equity.
These women once stood exactly where you stand now. Their paths show what’s possible when leadership skills are nurtured early and supported throughout high school.
Ready to Lead? Get Involved in the Best Leadership Programs for High School Students
You don’t have to wait until the end of your time on campus at St. Agnes to become a leader. Your journey can start today!
Now is the time to explore a new club, volunteer for an event, help plan a retreat, join a ministry team, participate in summer programs, sign up for a sports team, or step into a role that stretches you beyond your comfort zone.
Want to learn more about the best leadership programs for high school students in your grade? Connect with our Student Support team. We would be glad to help you find your place.
Your potential is real. Your voice matters. And St. Agnes is ready to help you lead boldly.
