Community
GRADE 8 LEADERSHIP STEPPING UP AND LEADING THE WAY
As students enter Grade 8 at Ensworth, they find themselves at the pinnacle of their Middle School and Red Gables journey. These students exude a warm confidence built over years of growth and learning and are ready to embrace leadership opportunities that nurture their abilities and inspire meaningful impact. Ensworth’s approach to leadership provides countless “at-bats”—opportunities to practice leading in various settings, from the classroom to the broader community. Whether spearheading an initiative or supporting peers,
WRITTEN BY BROOKS CORZINE, ELLEN IVES, AND DOUG MAGEE
Middle School Administration
12 | ENSWORTH ENSIGHTS
every student has the chance to discover and define their unique leadership style.
BECOMING LEADERS AT RED GABLES Grade 8 at Ensworth is more than just a stepping stone to high school—it’s a transformative year. Students graduate with a clear understanding of how to serve, inspire, and lead with purpose. As they transition to high school, they carry with them the confidence and authenticity cultivated at Red Gables. At Ensworth, leadership is about more than titles. It’s about action, growth, and making a difference. For every Grade 8 student, the opportunities are endless, and the lessons they learn will last a lifetime.
“I LOVE HOW ROLES LIKE STUDENT COUNCIL AND BLACK AND ORANGE CAPTAINS GIVE US A GLIMPSE OF DEMOCRACY. WE GET TO HAVE A SAY IN WHO LEADS US, JUST LIKE IN THE REAL WORLD WHEN WE ELECT PRESIDENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WE, AS A COMMUNITY, LOOK UP TO, AND WE CHOOSE THEM BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THEY’LL DO THE BEST JOB. IT’S A GREAT WAY TO PREPARE US FOR HOW LEADERSHIP WORKS BEYOND SCHOOL .”
SOPHI E WAR D, CL ASS OF 202 9
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WHAT DOES LEADERSHIP LOOK LIKE IN GRADE 8? Leadership at Ensworth is anchored in three pillars: classroom leadership, opportunities on Red Gables campus, and service in the broader community. Together, these pillars create a comprehensive program that fosters independence, initiative, and empathy.
Classroom Leadership
Red Gables Leadership
Community Leadership
Leadership begins in
On campus, students serve as
Students step into public roles
the classroom. Harkness
Student Council leaders, Black &
as admissions ambassadors and
discussions, a hallmark of
Orange captains rallying school
panelists, sharing their experiences
Ensworth’s learning approach,
spirit, or hosts of the beloved
with prospective families. Through
begin to occur more frequently
Pancake Breakfast. They also
Service Learning, they engage in
in Grade 8, providing a
connect with younger peers as
meaningful projects across Nashville,
platform for students to lead
K–8 buddies and lunch table
making a difference in the broader
by asking thoughtful questions,
hosts, creating a supportive and
community. The Grade 8 trip to
facilitating dialogue, and
inclusive community.
Washington DC deepens their
ensuring all voices are heard.
understanding of civic responsibility
The Grade 8 Presidential
and national history.
Debates allow students to step into the roles of candidates by engaging in lively discussions about leadership and decisionmaking. Finally, in Research, Writing, and Public Speaking, students deliver a Leadership & Civic Engagement speech, focusing on issues that matter to them and honing their public speaking skills.
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“BEING A K-8 BUDDY IS SUCH A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW EIGHTH GRADERS STEP INTO LEADERSHIP. AT FIRST, WE DON’T KNOW THE KINDERGARTNERS WE’RE PAIRED WITH, BUT TO THEM, WE’RE THE BIG KIDS—THE ONES THEY LOOK UP TO. IT’S REALLY SPECIAL THAT WE GET TO TEACH THEM THINGS, WATCH OVER THEM, AND SHARE FUN EXPERIENCES, LIKE THE FIRST GRADE PET SHOW, HALLOWEEN, OR HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES. IT REMINDS US HOW IMPORTANT WE ARE TO THE YOUNGER GRADES AND HOW WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES.”
DR EW HEAT H , CL A SS OF 202 9
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL Sophie Ward described the responsibility of being a lunch table host: “Each week, two of us host a new group of Grades 6–8 students, which means we have to get to know everyone and figure out how to connect with each kid. It’s a great way to build communication skills because everyone has different views and interacts in their own way. I even created a weekly schedule with games and activities to help the group start talking. It’s a fun way to plan, lead, and make sure everyone feels included.” Leadership at Ensworth isn’t reserved for a select few; every Grade 8 student has the opportunity to lead. Each role is designed to align with students’ passions and strengths, allowing them to develop collaboration, communication, and decision-making skills in ways that feel authentic. ■
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