Academic Leadership

The Expeditionary Learning School for Community Leaders is a small 9-12th grade Expeditionary Learning School, located in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, with a focus on developing leaders who thrive academically.

At Leaders, students learn by leading – and leading means doing. The school encourages students to study hard in the classroom in order to solve real problems. This kind of real-world learning, called Expeditionary Learning, connects students to the physical world, teaches them the values of leadership and service, and prepares them for success in fields like law, government, medicine, education, business, the arts and other fields. We offer a variety of programs and structures that promote learning and leadership, including:

Learning Expeditions

Leaders students engage in Learning Expeditions – not just studying  text books.  Learning Expeditions are standards-based, hands-on projects that prepare students for success in college and beyond. Expeditions include learning outside of the classroom with the help of experts from the professional world, and the creation of high-quality work that students present to the public.

Crew is Family

Every Leaders student belongs to a Crew – a small student advisory group. Led by a Crew Leader, Crews meet daily to discuss college preparation, leadership development and personal challenges. Crew provides a safe, consistent environment for students to practice their leadership skills, communication skills, and to continue growing by raising personal and community standards.

Student-Led Conferences

At most schools, parents attend a student-teacher conference. But at Leaders, parents will attend student-led conferences, where students lead their own conferences by presenting the work they have completed. They also reflect honestly on what they can improve, how they can further challenge themselves, and how to continue their success after graduating from Leaders. 

Growing Leaders Program

Growing Leaders is a youth-led organic gardening, culinary arts, and academic program. Students produce and distribute fresh food, learn about sustainable food systems, meet with experts from the community, explore science through the natural world, and gain meaningful opportunities for summer youth employment. The Growing Leaders program received the 2010 Green Apple Award from the City of New York.

Civic Leadership

This program places students in organizations across the community for a total of 60 hours, including Service Learning Projects for all 10th and 11th grade crews. In addition, 11th graders are offered internship programs where they can strengthen their leadership skills in a career-oriented setting. These opportunities help students develop professional relationships, land new internships and experience the joy that comes from serving others.

Crew Orientation

All incoming students attend a five-day, overnight wilderness trip with their Crew, where they will develop the individual and group leadership skills to communicate successfully through conflict, take individual initiative to overcome challenges, and to support one another as members of the Leaders community. Crew Orientation is run by our partner New York City Outward Bound, which has a two-decade track record of providing safe, quality educational experiences.