Leader in Me
What is Leader in Me?
Leader in Me is an evidence-based, PK–12 leadership development process that helps schools build students who have the character, competence, and confidence to lead their own lives.
Developed in partnership with educators, Leader in Me is a whole-school system that builds leadership in every student, fosters a high-trust culture, and drives measurable academic results. It equips students with the skills they need to thrive academically, socially, and personally—at school, at home, and in their future.
At its core is a simple belief: every child has unique strengths and the ability to lead.
Leader in Me is grounded in timeless principles of effectiveness and integrates two powerful frameworks:
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® provide a shared language that helps students develop leadership, responsibility, and strong character
- The 4 Disciplines of Execution® (4DX) give students and educators practical tools to set goals, track progress, and achieve results that matter most
Through Leader in Me, students learn to take initiative, set and achieve goals, communicate effectively, solve problems, and work collaboratively. Schools bring this process to life through leadership roles, goal tracking, student-led conferences, and schoolwide leadership events—making leadership visible and actionable every day.
Leader in Me also strengthens alignment across the entire school community—connecting students, educators, families, and leaders around a shared vision of developing the whole child.
Today, more than 8,000 schools in over 70 countries are implementing Leader in Me and seeing meaningful outcomes, including improved academic achievement, stronger engagement, increased student confidence, and more positive school cultures.
Leader in Me is more than an initiative—it’s a process that helps schools create environments where every student is empowered to lead, learn, and thrive.
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Our Belief & Approach
What We Believe
At WestPark, we believe:
• Every student has genius and the ability to lead
• Leadership is not a position—it’s a way of thinking and acting
• Students thrive when they are given ownership of their learning
• A strong culture of trust and respect leads to strong results
These beliefs shape how we teach, how we lead, and how we support every student.
Our Approach
Our philosophy is to develop the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.
To support this, we use the Leader in Me leadership development process to create a school culture built on:
• Student empowerment
• Ownership of learning
• Goal setting and achievement
• Collaboration and respect
What You'll See
When you walk through our school, you’ll notice:
• Students taking on meaningful leadership roles
• Classrooms where students set and track their own goals
• Hallways that reflect our learning, progress, and achievements
• A shared language of leadership used by students and staff
• A culture where students are encouraged to lead, contribute, and grow
Our students are not just learning content—they are learning how to lead their own lives.
How We Lead
We use The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® as a foundation for how we learn and interact with one another. These habits help our students build skills like responsibility, goal setting, teamwork, and effective communication.
We also use The 4 Disciplines of Execution® (4DX) to help students and staff set goals, track progress, and achieve meaningful results—both academically and personally.
Partnering with Families
We believe education is strongest when schools and families work together.
We invite you to be part of our journey by:
• Attending student-led conferences and leadership events
• Engaging in conversations about your child’s goals and growth
• Celebrating the leadership you see at home and in school
Our Commitment
At WestPark Elementary, we are committed to creating an environment where:
• Every student feels valued
• Every student has a voice
• Every student is prepared to succeed in school and beyond