Student Leadership
Prep students are experts in balancing a variety of campus activities. In the process, they become experts in leadership. That’s because whenever we can, we make sure students are in charge. Students drive the direction of programs and lead each other in pursuit of diverse and meaningful programs and clubs.
The Big Five
Prep’s largest leadership organizations, called the Big Five, are Belonging, Respect, Inclusion, and Diversity Grounded in Equity (BRIDGE), Student Senate, Student Community Action Council (SCAC), the Athletic Council on Leadership (ACL), and the Flintridge Leadership Initiative (FLINT). All five work together to achieve common goals.
BRIDGE: Belonging, Respect, Inclusion, and Diversity Grounded in Equity
BRIDGE is a student group founded in 2022 that seeks to nurture a community of belonging through events and guest speakers, advisory and peer counseling, identity exploration, and outreach. The group was developed by students and faculty who participated in the Student Diversity Leadership Conference.
Student Senate
Prep’s Student Senate has been in place since 1935, with a structure unique to the school and with a system that puts students in charge. You can see evidence of this at our weekly Morning Meetings.
The Student Senate includes representatives from all grade levels. In high school, each grade elects a class president and two representatives, or commissioners. Seniors elect a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. In addition to class officers, the entire student body elects the Commissioner General, Assistant Commissioner General, and Commissioner of Communication and Collaboration. The Commissioner General serves as the chairman of the Student Senate, similar to an ASB president at another school. The Student Senate sponsors or supports several key events:
- The Book Day BBQ
- Spirit Week
- Halloween Haunted House
- Winter Festival
- Teacher Appreciation Week
Student Community Action Council (SCAC)
Community impact is an integrated part of each Prep student’s life—managed by students as a passion. A student-led organization called the Student Community Action Council (SCAC) offers opportunities to engage authentically in service and outreach. Founded in 2013, SCAC joins Student Senate to host a Community Impact Fair and Club Rush each fall.
SCAC integrates with the academic program as well as with other leadership organizations on campus. SCAC’s mission is to help students find their passion, make service an integral part of school culture, and support students in creating a positive and measurable impact on social causes in our community and around the world. Further, the SCAC provides cohesion, integration, and accountability to all service activities on campus with the objective of maximizing student engagement and social impact.
Athletic Council on Leadership (ACL)
Founded in 2008, our award-winning Athletic Council on Leadership (ACL) was the first leadership organization for athletes in the Prep League. ACL is made up of student athletes in their sophomore, junior, and senior years who aspire to be leaders and apply to be members.
The primary goal of ACL is to encourage athletes to take a leadership role at the school, in the local community, and in the world, while promoting sportsmanship and a healthy attitude toward athletic competition. ACL members are active participants in many aspects of school life.
FLINT
The Flintridge Leadership Initiative (FLINT) is a student group that educates and provides tools to encourage students to exemplify leadership qualities daily. FLINT seeks to integrate a leadership message into everyday life through a variety of creative and digital media. The group calls on leaders in the alumni community to participate in a student speaker series called FLINTerviews.
Peer Counseling
Rising seniors can apply to serve as peer counselors for a small group of 7th or 9th graders. Peer counselors help students with their transitions to middle school and high school, offer an orientation to Prep, advice on making friends, and answering “Where do I?” and “How do I?” questions.
Seniors are prepared to take on this responsibility through weekly training sessions and required enrollment in Prep’s year-long Psychology course. Peer counselors travel with their counselees on outdoor education trips and meet with them regularly throughout the year to provide support and mentoring.
Eighth Grade Buddies
Eighth Grade Buddies is a student-designed program that pairs seniors with 8th grade students to offer friendship, advice and support throughout the year.
Senior Leaders
Through the Senior Leaders program, faculty choose senior leaders for every academic class, as well as performing arts, sports, student government, SAT Prep, and the STEAM & Service Fair. These leaders are available to help younger students and peers with homework, questions or concerns.
Mentoring and Internships
The mentoring program Prep Exchange links students with parents and alumni for career and college advice, as well as summer internships for 11th and 12th graders. The Prep Exchange internship program is supported by Student Life staff as well as the Prep Volunteer Network.