Student Leadership

List of 7 items.

• Leadership Labs

  Just before the school year begins each summer, Upper School students gather for three days of discussions and workshops on effective leadership at Severn. Although students in elected and club leadership positions are expected to attend, the lab is open to all students. It’s a voluntary forum where any interested student can participate. Students learn leadership skills like group dynamics, presentation strategies, organizational techniques, how to run an effective meeting, how to encourage participation, and more. Students who attend the summer lab work together to create an adaptive challenge for the year which will guide many club and student council events. Following the initial lab in the summer, there are two more follow-up labs in the fall and winter.

• Grade Level Seminars

  From 9th through 12th grade every Upper School student participates in grade-level discussion seminars taught by the Upper School Head, the Dean of Students and the Upper School Guidance Counselor. The purpose of these seminars is for students to understand their values while recognizing the value systems of their peers. They learn strategies for talking about difficult topics while building relationships with their peers and Severn faculty. Each year has a different theme:
  

  • Grade 9: Study Skills, Health and Wellness, Inclusion
  • Grade 10: Getting to Know Me
  • Grade 11: Getting to Know Others
  • Grade 12: Leading and Leaving

• Upper School Clubs

  Upper School students can pursue their passions, find purpose, and practice leadership skills through the robust Clubs Program. Severn currently hosts 44 different clubs, advised by 48 different faculty members including Amnesty International, Severn Service Society, Chess Club, the Outing Club, and more. This is much more than a social, extracurricular opportunity for students. Club members are expected to take an active role in connecting their interests and causes with the larger school community.

• Student Council

  Members of the Upper School Student Council include the president and vice president (elected by the entire student body), the president and vice president of each class, and a secretary and treasurer chosen by the elected members of the Council. Responsibilities of the council include supervision of Dress Down Days, coordination of class meetings and various all-School activities, and communication of sundry matters among students, faculty, and administration.

• Senior Prefects

  Senior Prefects are selected from the junior class in the spring to serve as senior student leaders. Students are selected for their leadership potential, integrity, and their commitment to Severn.  Prefects participate in a leadership workshop in the fall. They assist with the transition to Upper School for 9th graders all year, new student orientation, homecoming, and other social events. They also act as assistant class advisors, participate in admissions events, and fill many other student leadership roles.

• Upper School Diplomats

  Diplomats are sophomores, juniors and seniors who volunteer to assist the admissions office with tours, shadow days and open-house events.

• Peer Tutoring

  Starting in the 2016-2017 school year, The Hoehn-Saric Family Center for Academic Excellence (Learning Resource Center or LRC) partnered with NHS for our peer-to-peer tutoring program. Every NHS junior is required to tutor at least 5 hours to support students in our community.