Leadership

New! Please click here to view the list of Upper School students elected to leadership positions for 2010-2011. The rising ninth-grade class will hold its elections at a later date.

The activities and programs of the Middle and Upper Schools are designed to enhance the leadership skills of our students. The following groups play a significant role in helping the faculty and administration make Fredericksburg Academy a wonderful community:

Upper School

Student Government: The Student Government is comprised of the Student Government President and Vice President,  the chairs of the Honor Council, Discipline Committee, Student Life Committee and Admission Tour Guides, and the President of the Service Organization of Fredericksburg Academy. The purpose of the Student Government is to support the administration, faculty, and students at Fredericksburg Academy.  As part of this support, the Student Government will represent to the faculty and administration the students' opinions on proposals and previously set rules and guidelines. Students meet on a weekly basis with their faculty sponsor (or more frequently when needed) to gather student concerns and bring issues from the faculty and administration that need student input. 

Honor Council: The Honor Council consists of four student members and two faculty sponsors.  The student members represent students in ninth through twelfth grade, with each grade having on representative.  Members of the Honor Council must be capable of sustaining close scrutiny of their school and personal lives to exemplify honorable living.  They must be sensitive to the fact that , as those who hold peers accountable for the standards of the honor code, their own adherence to these standards must be above reproach.  Members of the Honor Council provide honor counseling to all students in the Middle and Upper Schools. 

Discipline Committee: The Discipline Committee exists to support the concept of good behavior on the part of all students in sixth through twelfth grade and to provide a joint faculty-student forum in which disciplinary and dress code issues may be discussed.  The Discipline Committee reviews continued or severe cases of inappropriate behavior and dress code issues as deemed necessary by the Dean.  The primary function of the committee is to help educate students about the expectations of the Academy. 

Student Life Committee: The Student Life Committee (SLC) consists of two faculty sponsors and eight student members.  The student body elects the President and each grade elects two class representatives.  In addition, two at-large members are elected from among the Upper School student body in the fall of the current school year.  The SLC meets to coordinate social events.

Service Organization of Fredericksburg Academy (SOFA): This organization helps to plan and publicize community service opportunities for students throughout the Fredericksburg area.  One of SOFA's most important events is Falcon Fest, and annual carnival for disadvantaged children held on campus in the spring.

Student Ambassadors: Students in eighth through twelfth grades are eligible to be Student Ambassadors.  Ambassadors work to help support the Director of Admission and to promote the school at community functions.  In addition to giving tours to prospective families at Open Houses, ambassadors host student visitors and give tours during the regular school day.

Middle School

Middle School Council: The Middle School Council is an elected committee of Middle School students who assist in the administration of that division of the Academy.  Students in grades six through eight elect council representatives to meet regularly to consider issues affecting their classmates and to plan community building and social events for the Middle School.

Peer Mediation: Peer Mediation is a program designed to help Middle School students resolve social conflicts.  Faculty sponsors work with and train Middle School mediators to help guide other students through the process.  Referrals and recommendations are made by students and faculty.  Faculty sponsors then decide if the conflict is appropriate for peer mediation.  Students are then counseled through the process of peer mediation, so long as both parties are willing to be a part of the process.  Peer Mediation only involves situations that are not directly under the umbrella of honor or discipline issues, such as rumors, gossip, or teasing.  The process includes four steps: 1) introduction to the rules, 2) storytelling, 3) brainstorming for solutions, and 4) writing an agreement.  Student mediators contact participants to follow up about a week after each mediation.  Mediations are strictly confidential, and faculty sponsors and mediators take their responsibility very seriously. 

In addition to these formal opportunities for leadership, students are constantly challenged in their classes, in athletic competition, and in their social interactions, to reflect the highest standards of integrity and respect for others. In this manner, all students are encouraged to be thoughtful, active, and dependable leaders in their school community.  The students shoulder an immense responsibility through these leadership activities, which in turn promotes greater personal growth and responsibility.