Heart-Centered Leadership: Building an Inclusive and High-Achieving High SchoolBy: Kelly Carpenter and Misa Sato, Assistant Principals, Reagan High School, Milwaukee School District In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, fostering a school environment that balances academic success with student well-being is essential. Heart-centered leadership prioritizes empathy, inclusivity, and student engagement to create a culture where students and educators thrive. This approach has been successfully implemented at Reagan High School, a Milwaukee Public School serving 1,370 students since its founding in 2003. Empathetic Leadership TechniquesHeart-centered leadership at Reagan High School begins with fostering a sense of belonging. Programs like Welcome Wednesdays, where student leaders greet peers each Wednesday, establish a welcoming atmosphere. The school also offers paid student internships, allowing students to engage in real-world experiences while contributing to daily school operations. Opportunities in areas such as janitorial support, counseling, the main office, and IB coordination instill a sense of responsibility and pride in the school community. Additionally, staff longevity celebrations highlight the school’s commitment to maintaining a stable, dedicated teaching community, with 49 staff members serving at Reagan for over ten years. Reagan also prioritizes reducing student absenteeism, ensuring that all students feel supported and engaged. The school invests in facility improvements that promote a safe and welcoming environment for learning. Creating a Supportive School EnvironmentMental health advocacy is a cornerstone of Reagan’s culture. The school implements QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Training, ensuring that every 9th-grade student and all staff members are equipped to recognize and respond to signs of suicidal ideation. The ASQ Suicide Risk Screening Tool further supports early intervention by identifying students in need of immediate assistance. Additionally, Reagan’s School Community Partnership for Mental Health with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin increases access to early intervention services, reduces stigma, and enhances communication between mental health professionals, school staff, and families. These efforts ensure that students not only receive academic support but also benefit from comprehensive mental health services. By embedding mental health awareness into the school culture, Reagan fosters an environment where students feel safe seeking help. Empowering Student LeadershipStudent-led initiatives such as Hope Squad foster peer support networks, promoting connection, community, and prevention. Events like the Week of Hope and Mental Health Resource Fair provide platforms for students to advocate for mental health awareness. Reagan’s Student Advisory Board meets monthly with school leaders to discuss school improvement, district feedback, and student advocacy. Upperclassmen serve as teacher assistants, providing support in 9th and 10th-grade classrooms while earning academic credit. This peer-led approach strengthens the school’s academic culture and promotes leadership development. Whole Student ApproachesReagan High School integrates academic rigor with a whole-student approach. As an all-International Baccalaureate (IB) school, students engage in inquiry-based learning through the Middle Years, Career-related, and Diploma Programmes. Vertical and horizontal planning ensures IB skills are consistently reinforced. Academic interventions include Social Academic Instructional Groups (SAIG), ACT College and Career Readiness Standards alignment, and three ACT interims per year. Programs such as Freshman Bridge with Link Crew Trained Students and Staff, Freshman Orientation, and Freshman Proficiency support student transitions and long-term success. A Model for SuccessReagan High School’s commitment to heart-centered leadership has resulted in remarkable achievements, including a 99% graduation rate, 95.7% attendance rate, and an average ACT score of 21.2. The school’s Wisconsin RtI Center Platinum Award and NAF Distinguished Academics recognition further underscore its success. By prioritizing empathy, mental health advocacy, and student empowerment alongside rigorous academic standards, Reagan High School exemplifies how heart-centered leadership can create an inclusive and high-achieving educational environment. Through a combination of innovative student leadership initiatives, mental health support, and academic rigor, Reagan is setting the standard for schools committed to both excellence and compassion.
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