Leadership Studies

Middle School Leadership Studies courses engage students in identifying their strengths, developing their understanding of right and wrong, learning about ethical leadership, and developing their communication and collaboration skills so that students know how to work together and lead effectively.

  • Ethics of Global Citizenship

    This semester-long class explores the question: "What does it mean to be an ethically engaged citizen of the 21st century?" Through in-depth discussions or simulations about current global issues, students will study leadership frameworks, ethics, and the impacts of globalization. They will examine the examine the connections among global issues, the ethical choices inherent in solving those issues, and the leadership needed to tackle them. This course requires curiosity and a willingness to engage in thoughtful discussions about complex topics.

    Note: this class is open to 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. It is required for those students in the Global Scholars program.

  • Rhetorical Theory

    What do “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you” and “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” have in common? Their power comes from arrangement: antithesis and parallelism work together to create a punchy, memorable idea. But rhetoric is also an art. In order to develop our own writing and speaking skills toward powerful persuasion, we will critically evaluate the rhetoric of influential speakers both ancient and modern and apply what we learn to craft our own persuasive essays and speeches to convince each other of a point of view, as memorably and fluently as possible. We will consider audience identity and makeup, the purpose and occasion, the historical moment, as well as our own passions so that we mean what we say.

  • Advanced Rhetorical Theory

    What do “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you” and “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” have in common? Their power comes from arrangement: antithesis and parallelism work together to create a punchy, memorable idea. But rhetoric is also an art. In order to develop our own writing and speaking skills toward powerful persuasion, we will critically evaluate the rhetoric of influential speakers both ancient and modern and apply what we learn to craft our own persuasive essays and speeches to convince each other of a point of view, as memorably and fluently as possible. We will consider audience identity and makeup, the purpose and occasion, the historical moment, as well as our own passions so that we mean what we say. 

  • Speech & Debate

    Students in this course will refine their public speaking and argumentation abilities through a variety of competitive and collaborative formats. The course will hone skills in rhetoric, research, persuasion and their confidence as speakers through structured class debates, speeches, and recorded projects. Students will grapple with existing and emerging social and political issues, making this course an excellent option for students interested in philosophy, policy, and social justice. The first half of the semester will be dedicated to learning to re-interpret and perform legendary speeches. The second half of the semester will be dedicated to learning how to debate in prepared and impromptu formats. Students will be required to enter one tournament with the SLS Speech & Debate Team. Students can choose to enter an asynchronous tournament by submitting one pre-recorded speech or they can enter a one-day, in-person tournament. No prior speech or debating experience is required.

  • Advanced Global Scholars Seminar

    This course serves as a college-level seminar course for our Global Scholars. Students will study and discuss various topics related to Global Studies throughout the school year, and they will conduct individual research on a global topic of their choosing. Students will present their research regularly in class and will write a substantive research paper due in mid-May. Global Scholars also will present their research at the SLS Scholars Symposium in April.
    Prerequisite: acceptance into the Global Scholars program.

  • Advanced Literary Scholars Seminar

    This course serves as a college-level research experience for our Literary Scholars. Students accepted into the program will complete a detailed explication of primary literary sources, literary criticism research, an interdisciplinary approach to the study of literature. Monthly presentations on research will be given, and a substantive research paper will be due in May. Additionally, Literary Scholars will present their research at the Scholars Symposium in April. 
    Prerequisite: acceptance into the Literary Scholars program. 

  • Advanced STEM Scholars Seminar

    This course serves as a vehicle for effective engagement in the scientific research process. Skills and topics will include, but are not limited to conducting formal literature searches; literature review summary writing exercises; presentation of literature research on a topic of interest; attending research presentations of other STEM Scholars; discussion-based and written summative evaluations of peer work; and a capstone project of faculty-mentored novel research on a STEM project of interest. A formal presentation is required at the SLS Scholars Symposium in April, and the written summary in the style appropriate to peer-reviewed journals is due by the end of the course in May. 

    Prerequisite: acceptance into the STEM Scholars program.



All Areas of Study

Faculty

  • Photo of Elizabeth Yavenditti
    Elizabeth Yavenditti
    Director of Global Education, Leadership Studies Department Chair
    (203) 801-4885
    Hamilton College - B.A.
    School for International Training - M.A.
    2005
    Bio
  • Photo of William Bludgus
    William Bludgus
    Head of Upper School
    (203)-801-4988
    University of San Francisco - Ed.D.
    Barry University - M.B.A.
    Fordham University - M.S.Ed.
    University of Miami - B.S.
    2023
  • Photo of Kathryn Boorse
    Kathryn Boorse
    Head of Middle School
    (203) 801-4839
    Dickinson College - B.A
    University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education - M.S.E.d
    2020
  • Photo of Laura Jones
    Laura Jones
    Middle School 5th Grade Science
    2024
  • Photo of Elaine Juran
    Elaine Juran
    Middle School English Teacher
    (203) 801-4928
    2013
  • Photo of Margaret Lauer
    Margaret Lauer
    Middle School Music Teacher
    (203) 801-4851
    Manhattan School of Music - BM
    McGill University - B Ed.
    McGill University - MM
    Universite de Montreal - D.E.S.S
    Vanderbilt University - Ed. D
    2018
  • Photo of Liz Perry
    Liz Perry
    Assistant Head of School for Academics
    (203) 801-4855
    Swarthmore College
    Swarthmore College - B.A.
    Harvard Graduate School of Education - M.Ed.
    2013
  • Photo of Jennifer Pokorney
    Jennifer Pokorney
    Middle School History Teacher
    (203) 801-4892
    Weber State University - B.A.
    1996
    Bio
  • Photo of Robert Salandra
    Robert Salandra
    Middle School History Teacher
    (203) 801-4942
    Columbia University - M.A.
    Fordham University - B.S.
    2019
    Bio
  • Photo of Elijah Smith
    Elijah Smith
    Head Debate Coach
    (203) 801-4899
    2024
  • Photo of Melissa Zurkowski
    Melissa Zurkowski
    Middle School Math Teacher
    (203) 801-4868
    Trinity Catholic High School
    Manhattanville College, University of Bridgeport
    Trinity Catholic High School
    Manhattanville College - B.A.
    University of Bridgeport - M.S.
    2006
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
377 North Wilton Road New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 966-5612 | admissions@stlukesct.org