NextGen Leadership Academy @ DHMS

Description

New for the 2026–2027 school year, Youth Democracy Institute’s NextGen Leadership Academy at DHMS will launch its Civic Belonging & Leadership Series for 6th graders. Through eight monthly sessions, students build confidence, learn to advocate for themselves and others, and practice working across differences using real-life challenges involving friendships, conflict, fairness, digital citizenship, and communicating with peers and adults. Students develop skills in consensus-building, finding common ground, collaboration, and turning ideas into action. The cohort is designed to grow together through 8th grade, culminating each year with students developing recommendations around an issue that matters to them and presenting their ideas to DHMS decision-makers. What Students Will Explore Sept. 23 — OWN IT! | Identity, Voice & Belonging Explore identity, perspective, belonging, and how personal experiences shape leadership. Oct. 21 — OUCH! | Conflict & Dialogue Practice navigating disagreements, listening across differences, and finding shared solutions. Nov. 18 — CLOCK IT! | Digital Citizenship, Media & AI Explore social media, misinformation, algorithms, AI, and responsible digital communication. Dec. 16 — TEAM UP! | Collaboration & Common Ground Learn to identify stakeholders, work across differences, build consensus, and bring people together. Jan. 20 — DO SOMETHING! | Civic Action Identify a school or community issue and begin investigating how students can make a difference. Feb. 17 — LISTEN & DEVELOP | Solutions Gather perspectives, consider different viewpoints, and develop community-informed solutions. Mar. 17 — BUILD SUPPORT | Advocacy & Influence Learn how to communicate an idea, build support, and advocate effectively. Apr. 21 — PRESENT & LEAD | Youth Voice in Action Present recommendations to decision-makers and put civic leadership into practice. May 19 — END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATION Celebrating growth, leadership & community