ECI Launches 4 year Leadership Certificate Program by Susan Gillmeister

We’re adding another dimension to graduation.  Students entering ECI next year will be able to graduate with more than a diploma – they will also graduate as proven leaders.

Beginning in 2014/15, all students entering Grade 9 will be eligible to enroll in the ECI Leadership Certificate Program, with the first set of Leadership Program students graduating in June 2018.  Leveraging the tradition of the White Pine Leadership Camp, this program formalizes what ECI has always done - ECI develops leaders!

This four-year program will offer four distinct streams to be chosen by the student: Academic, Athletic, The Arts, and Social Justice/Citizenship, with specific requirements for each stream tailored to that area.

To qualify for the leadership certificate, students in the program will complete a number of curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular requirements, in addition to the usual Ministry of Education requirements. Students will work with their assigned staff leadership advisor to maximize their opportunities. For example, the Ministry of Education graduation requirement of 40 volunteer hours will be increased to 100 for these students and those hours will be focused on leadership-developing volunteer opportunities in their chosen stream.

A complete list of requirements for each stream will be available in February, 2014, prior to incoming grade 9 students completing their course request forms.

Upon graduation, successful Leadership Certificate Students will have a complete list of their extra-curricular and volunteer activities included in their transcript package, demonstrating to post-secondary institutions and potential employers their various high school achievements beyond the classroom.

More and more, universities are looking for well-rounded students for initial admission and scholarships; students who will not only thrive in university, but who will also help their peers and the university thrive are desired.

We want ECI graduates to lead in life and we believe that by establishing this Leadership program, we are committed to maximizing the potential of every student, every leader.

While this new program will be four years in duration and open to incoming grade 9 students, ECI will continue to provide the leadership options for all students in grade 10-12, including the White Pine Program.