Leaders High School Builds Community and Confidence Beyond the Classroom

A Chalkbeat New York article highlights how we use outdoor experiences, strong relationships, and our Crew program to help students build confidence and feel more connected to their school community.

The article follows a group of our ninth-grade students during our annual camping trip at Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, New York. As part of the NYC Outward Bound Schools network, we focus on building strong relationships between students and staff. The camping trip gives students a chance to step outside the classroom, work together, and learn more about themselves and each other.

Students take part in activities like hiking, cooking, navigation, and team-building challenges. These experiences help students build trust, try new things, and become more comfortable working with others. For many students, especially those whose middle school years were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the trip also gave them a chance to reconnect with their classmates and build new friendships.

The article also features our Crew program. Crew gives students a consistent group of classmates and a trusted adult who supports them throughout high school. This helps create a strong sense of belonging and gives students a place where they can talk, reflect, and support one another.

Student well-being is also an important part of the story. During the trip, students and staff had open conversations about mental health, stress, and the challenges students may face. These moments show how we work to create a school community where students feel safe, supported, and valued.

The Chalkbeat article shows how we believe learning happens both inside and outside the classroom. By giving students opportunities to work through challenges, build relationships, and support each other, we help them grow into more confident students and leaders.

Read the Original Article on Chalkbeat