High School Leaders Program

Overview

The Sorensen Institute's High School Leaders Program (HSLP) offers concentrated study in Virginia politics and government for high school students from across the state. The program is open to all students who are at least 16 years of age or are rising juniors. Graduating seniors are also eligible to participate. The HSLP is based on a firm belief that young people not only can make a positive difference in their communities, they should be strongly encouraged to do so. Our High School Leaders Program gives students the practical skills and political knowledge to become effective advocates in their communities and schools. Participants engage in substantive debate about the public policy challenges facing the Commonwealth and interact with Virginia's political and business leaders. The two-week HSLP is held each summer on grounds at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. The program features a Virginia-focused, multidisciplinary curriculum with three main goals:

• To prepare future leaders for ethical and responsible citizenship and public service in the Commonwealth
• To connect Virginia's youth leaders from different backgrounds and philosophies with each other and with current leaders in the government, business, and non-profit sectors.
• To energize our democratic system of government by promoting civic engagement among youth leaders.

In 2007 the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognized the Sorensen Institute's College and High School Leaders Programs as among the very best in the nation and something of a national model when it comes to giving young people the skills and motivation to become politically engaged in their communities. Click here to meet the alumni of our High School Leaders Program. And to learn about the history of this program and of the Sorensen Institute, click here.

The dates for the High School Leaders Program Class of 2009 are
Saturday, July 11—Saturday, July 25.

We are not currently accepting applications to the HSLP.
Please click here to view the most recent application instructions.

Curriculum

The HSLP curriculum is divided into three primary learning modules:

The Informed Citizen: Virginia Government and Politics—focuses on the basics of Virginia state and local government; who the players are, how government functions, and what the primary issues facing Virginia are.

The Thoughtful Citizen: Virginia Public Policy—explores how public policy is formed and debated in the Commonwealth. Students learn how to engage positively and effectively in policy debates and learn how they can influence public policy.

The Active Citizen: The Tools of Modern Advocacy—gives students the hands-on training and real-world skills that they will need to make their ideas a reality. They will learn how to write a powerful op-ed, to pitch stories to the media and hold press conferences, to give effective radio and television interviews, and to personally lobby issues with legistors.

Click here to learn more about the HSLP curriculum.

Faculty

All of our faculty members are experts on Virginia politics as well as experienced and dedicated to teaching young people about the importance of state and local government. The three primary faculty members for our High School Leaders Program include:

Dr. Stephen Bragaw—a professor of American Politics and Chair of the Department of Government and International Affairs at Sweet Briar College.  The Director of Sweet Briar's Law & Society program, he teaches courses on public policy, American political and legal development, social movements and the law, as well as American politics and popular culture.

Marc Johnson—Assistant Director and Director of Programs at the Sorensen Institute.  He originally came to the Institute in the summer of 2004 to oversee the College and High School Leaders Programs.  Since that time he has taught and facilitated in all of the Sorensen Institute programs.

Click here to learn more about the members of the HSLP faculty.

Participants

A typical High School Leaders Program class includes approximately 30 students. All students attending a public or private Virginia high school—or a Virginia resident attending high school in another state—are eligible to participate. Students must be at least 16-years old by July 1, 2009 or  at least entering their junior year of high school in the fall of 2009. The class is also open to graduating seniors. Students come from throughout Virginia, representing a diverse variety of communities.

A HSLP class will typically include students that are interested in many different academic subjects and participate in numerous extracurricular activities. This program is for all students who are keenly interested in learning more about leadership and public service, not just those who study politics or are active in student government. Each class is roughly balanced according to gender, and aims to reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of Virginia's population. The program attracts students who will be leaders in all aspects of life in the Commonwealth.

Selection Process

The High School Leaders Program applicant pool is evaluated to create a highly qualified and diverse class. Participants will be chosen from throughout Virginia. The deadline for applications is March 2. Interviews are usually conducted in March and admissions decisions are mailed in early April. Students for the program are chosen through a careful selection process that includes the following considerations:

• complete application and essay
• academic record
• letters of reference
• personal interview—a select number of qualified finalists will be contacted for a brief in-person interview. The interviews are conducted by board members, alumni, and staff.

Applications

To be eligible for the High School Leaders Program, applicants must be:

• a student attending a public or private high school in Virginia or a Virginia resident attending high school in another state.
• in good academic standing at an accredited institution.
• 16-years old by July 1, 2009 or at least entering their junior year of high school in the fall of 2009 (graduating seniors are eligible to participate as well).

In accordance with a policy of equal opportunity recruitment, the Sorensen Institute strongly encourages women and minority students to apply. The application includes the following components:

• the online application, which includes a one-page essay.
• the applicant's current high school transcript.
• one letter of recommendation.

The Sorensen Institute is not currently accepting applications for the High Leaders Program. 

College Credit

Successful completion of the High School Leaders Program earns each student three graded college credits from the University of Virginia.

Tuition

The cost of the 2009 program is $1,300, which covers all instructional materials, events, room, board, and any related travel costs (field trips).  The tuition also covers all expenses related to the three UVA credit hours. The High School Leaders Program is sponsored in part by Dominion, which helps us keep program costs low.

Scholarships

Scholarships for program tuition are available. Potential applicants are strongly urged to apply regardless of financial concerns. Click here to learn more about available scholarships and financial aid.

Program Schedule

The High School Leaders Program Class of 2009 will begin on Saturday, July 11th and end on Saturday, July 25th. All students are housed at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville for the duration of the two-week program. Aside from some field trips, the students will spend most of their time on grounds at the University.

A typical program day starts at 8am with breakfast, and class begins promptly at 9am. Lectures, presentations, discussions, and workshops run throughout the day with multiple breaks and lunch. Dinner is served each evening around 6pm, after which students have free time. Three Program Managers, all of whom are alumni of our College Leaders Programs, live on site with the students and are available at all times. On the last day of the program a ceremonial graduation is held at the University. Family and friends and encouraged to attend.

If you have any questions about the College Leaders Program,
contact Marc Johnson at (434) 982-4527 or rmjohnson@virginia.edu