Personal Development Program

The Peer Leadership program is designed to assist the ninth graders with assimilation into high school, while providing a unique leadership learning opportunity for the juniors and seniors serving as Peer Leaders.

Junior Peer Leaders are 11th graders, specially selected through an application process for their leadership qualities. Senior Peer Leaders are students who have completed the program as juniors and have chosen to remain as mentors to assist underclasswomen. Peer Leaders are students of exceptional character, who are trained in group facilitation skills.

Peer Leaders meet with assigned small groups of 9th graders during planned programs and off campus days to discuss topics including adjustment to high school, time management, stress reduction, peer pressure, and problem solving techniques. The peer leaders facilitate activities and discussions that help the 9th graders build relationships and ease the transition into high school. In addition, Peer Leaders are responsible for planning and leading activities of the 9th grade Personal Development Overnight.

The Peer Mediation program began at Ursuline in 1996 and has had a significant influence in creating a school culture of respect and peace.

Peer mediators are a small group of seniors trained in how to hold formal mediation sessions and, throughout the course of the year, given the opportunity to help the underclass students deal with conflict or difficult situations through this process.

Additionally, the peer mediators meet with middle school students to provide them with guidance and support in dealing with transitioning to middle school and navigating friendship conflicts. Peer mediation is a leadership program that meets weekly, one afternoon each week. In addition, the peer mediators study topics related to peace and social justice.