Character at Clark

As one of our four pillars, character development is an essential and intentional aspect of the curriculum at Stanley Clark.

Teaching students to positively influence others, as well as discern how others influence them, is critical for their success. Each year a school-wide theme is chosen to guide us in thoughtful discussion, reflection and interaction with each other. Recent themes include integrity, empathy, leadership, kindness, and responsibility. Each division chooses an age-appropriate book based around the theme that students will together read as a class. Inspired artwork is created around the year's topic and students learn what it really means to exemplify these important qualities.

4th graders serving at Cultivate Food Rescue — *4th Grade Students Serving at Cultivate Food Rescue*

Leadership Development

At Stanley Clark, students lead by example, demonstrate good character, and exhibit responsibility and respect for others. Presenting and sharing in front of a small group is part of a typical classroom experience at all age levels. While leadership is introduced as young as preschool, the opportunities continue to grow and expand in age-appropriate ways as students progress throughout lower school and middle school.

Cross-Divisional Leadership

Each year students participate in a school-wide buddy program allowing students from various grade levels to connect, work as a team, and learn from each other. Buddies meet regularly throughout the year during designated times for activities centered around the school-wide theme for the year.

An older student working with a younger student to create kindness bookmarks

Older student holding hands with younger students walking

Middle School

Advisory

Through our distinctive advisory program, middle school students develop the skills necessary to be effective, thoughtful leaders. Based on Developmental Design, the advisory program aims to promote team-building, tolerance, communication, conflict resolution and other social-emotional skills. Each year, middle school students work together to develop the Middle School Social Contract, guidelines the students believe will enhance their learning environment. This unique approach gives students ownership over their conduct with others and provides an opportunity to learn accountability to self and others.

Student Leaders

Students can run for class office or be elected a member of student council, where they may influence changes and initiate projects for the middle school. They can also serve as Mighty Tigers, our welcoming committee, Tiger Techs, our student tech team, or Student Ambassadors, providing tours to prospective families during Open Houses.

Team Captains

A longstanding tradition at The Stanley Clark School is an internal school spirit competition whereby two school teams, Miami and Iroquois, compete for points throughout the academic year. The competition culminates with Olympic Day. Miami and Iroquois team captains are elected each spring and are responsible for the coordination of lower school and middle school Olympic Day, which takes place each May.

Low-Elements Course

In middle school, students learn to work as a team and communicate through group activities on our outdoor low-elements course. Whether as part of our semester-long leadership class or as part of their advisory, the low-elements course helps emphasize and teach team-building, leadership development, effective communication, and developing social-emotional skills.

Lower School

In lower school, students continue to learn leadership, not only by setting a good example for younger students, but by also continuing to develop presentation skills. Each Friday, lower school students present news, updates and achievements at The Gathering, a meeting for 1st - 4th grade.

In 4th grade, students can run for student council for the first time. Candidates present a speech in front of classmates and if elected, serve as representatives for their class alongside middle school student council members.

4th grade students standing in front of the entire lower school and presenting — *4th Grade Students Leading The Gathering*

Early Childhood

From the age of three, students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills within their classrooms. For instance, preschool students are assigned a specific task each week for which they are responsible. Tasks such as line leader, weather and librarian rotate each week, allowing students to practice being the lead for each classroom responsibility. During morning meetings, individual students present about the weather, calendar and the alphabet; as a result, students gain valuable presentation, communication and public speaking skills from their earliest days.

Leadership Speaker Series

Clark Talks: Esse Quam Videri is part of the SCS Leadership Speaker Series supported by the Melissa L. Grubb Endowment for Leadership Studies. This endowment, supported by our donors, allows Stanley Clark to host events and speakers who can educate on leadership skills and self-development, overcoming incredible obstacles, showing determination through adversity, and sharing stories that will inspire our school community. Inspired by the TED Talk format, Clark Talks are events consisting of a series of short, carefully prepared talks, demonstrations, and performances dedicated to emphasizing our core values of integrity, work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, compassion, resilience, passion for life-long learning, inspiration, creativity and developing the next generation of leaders.

An 8th Grade student presenting a Clark Talk on stage — *An 8th Grade Student Presenting at Clark Talks*

Service Learning

Compassion, respect and service to others are values integral to The Stanley Clark School culture and learning environment. Students from preschool through 8th grade engage in service learning as a core component of their education. From collecting hats and mittens for children in need to serving at various organizations throughout the community, students are taught what it means to care for others. Service learning happens both on and off campus and impacts multiple non-profit agencies each year.

Organizations We've Partnered With:

CASIE Center
ChildFund International
Cultivate Food Rescue
Feed the Children
Goodwill Industries of Michigan, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity
Healthwin Hospital
KIVA
La Casa de Amistad
Logan Center
Memory Project
St. Vincent de Paul
The Food Bank of Northern Indiana
Pet Refuge
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Women's Shelter of the YWCA