Girls Leading
students are running this fund-raising
event, which demonstrates what a group
of middle school girls can do when they
are given a voice and empowered to
lead.
At the start of the academic year,
these 16 ethnically diverse girls were
considered “at-risk,” and school staff
members were worried about their
upcoming transition to high school.
Some of the students had experienced
behavior difficulties throughout middle
school; others were struggling academically or socially. In short, these
girls were slowly drowning in a sea of
other students. Lessons from research
(Brendtro, Brokenleg, & Van Bockern,
2002; Elias, 2010; Klein, 2008) suggested that giving them a negative label
and providing remediation would not
help them learn to swim on their own.
© MOMO PRODUC TIONS/GETTY IMAGES
They needed a program that would
build their confidence, competence, and
character.
Meeting Special Challenges
Most students face challenges as they
make the transition from middle school
to high school. But for many of the girls
By shining a light on the leadership qualities
at Red Bank Middle School, these chal-
of at-risk students, this program prepares
them for high school success.
lenges were amplified.
Red Bank Borough Public School
District is a small, suburban, K– 8 school
district in eastern New Jersey. In 2007,
Heather Hamed, Jazmin Reyes, Dominic C. Moceri,
Laura Morana, and Maurice J. Elias
31 percent of the students were black,
and 51 percent were Latino; 9 percent
were eligible to receive free lunch. After
middle school, Red Bank students go on
The gym at Red Bank Middle School is buzzing. There are beautiful decorations, face painting, arts and crafts, and more. Sha- how to hula hoop. Annie gets on the loudspeaker to thank the principal money to help the people of Haiti.
to a regional high school where the per-
centages of black and Latino students
and teachers for their support. Maria is are about 15 and 16 percent, respec-
encouraging students to donate more
tively. Research has shown that the
high school transition is usually more
londa is teaching younger students
Anyone looking around can see that
difficult for black and Latino students
