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NextGen Leadership Academy @ Chavez
Civic Belonging Series
Description
New for the 2026–2027 school year, Youth Democracy Institute’s NextGen Leadership Academy @ Chavez will launch its Civic Belonging & Leadership Series for students in grades 6–8. Through six weekly sessions, scholars build confidence, strengthen their voice, and practice working across differences through real-life challenges involving identity, conflict, digital citizenship, collaboration, and civic action. Students develop skills in dialogue, finding common ground, coalition-building, advocacy, and turning ideas into action while connecting YDI’s leadership curriculum to Chavez’s grade-level public policy topics, including technology and social media, youth mental health, and community safety. The series helps scholars apply leadership skills to issues they care about in their school and community. What Students Will Explore Oct. 1 — OWN IT! | Identity, Voice & Belonging Explore identity, perspective, belonging, and how personal experiences shape leadership. Oct. 8 — OUCH! | Conflict & Dialogue Practice navigating disagreements, listening across differences, and finding shared solutions. Oct. 15 — CLOCK IT! | Digital Citizenship, Media & AI Explore social media, misinformation, algorithms, AI, and responsible digital communication. Oct. 22 — TEAM UP! | Collaboration & Common Ground Learn to identify stakeholders, work across differences, build consensus, and bring people together. Oct. 29 — DO SOMETHING! | Civic Action Connect leadership skills to an issue students care about and explore how young people can make a difference. Nov. 5 — FROM BELONGING TO ACTION | Youth Voice in Action Apply leadership skills to Chavez’s grade-level public policy topics and identify ways to create positive change.