Upper St. Clair Wins National Award for Student Leadership Programs

The Upper St. Clair School District has been selected as one of 15 first place winners in the 19th annual Magna Awards program sponsored by the National School Boards Association’s American School Board Journal for its Student Leadership Academy.

An independent panel of school board members, administrators and other educators selected the winners from nearly 300 submissions.

Each year, Upper St. Clair's Leadership Academy develops the leadership skills of students in grades four through 12. Each student develops a personal leadership plan and writes goals. High school students also create an organizational plan, which identifies a globally focused, service-oriented project.

"Academy students have shown marked improvement in personal goal attainment, leadership development and an increased sense of responsibility to the global society," according to a district news release.

"I commend assistant Superintendent Sharon Suritsky and high school associate Principal Lou Angelo, who initially developed the student leadership program, as well as all of our leaders and trainers of the high school, middle school and elementary school leadership programs,” stated Superintendent Patrick T. O’Toole.

The Magna Awards recognize districts across the country for outstanding programs that advance student learning and encourage community involvement in schools. 

Upper St. Clair’s Magna Award will be highlighted in a special section of the May issue of ASBJ and will be formally recognized at the Best Practices for School Leaders Luncheon at NSBA’s annual conference this month.