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Leading by Example: How Berwick Nurtures Student Leaders in Every Division

At Berwick Academy, leadership is not reserved for a select few holding senior titles—it is an intentional, everyday journey of self-discovery and growth embedded across all divisions. From our youngest learners helping peers navigate the school day to Middle and Upper School students shaping campus culture, Bulldogs are discovering what it means to lead with empathy, purpose, and impact.
Lower School: Early Steps in Responsibility
Leadership begins early on the Hilltop. In the Lower School, Fourth-Grade Student Ambassadors step into weekly rotating leadership roles designed to build confidence and service-minded habits. Serving as role models, these student ambassadors assist younger peers in various capacities throughout the week, setting a positive tone across the division and learning firsthand the value of helping others.
Middle School: Voice, Community, & Mentorship
Middle School is a pivotal time for personal discovery, and Berwick provides structured opportunities for students to test their strengths, advocate for peers, and collaborate:
  • Newly Elected Middle School Leaders: Congratulations to our newly elected Middle School student leaders, who are stepping up to represent their peers and drive student life across key areas:
    • Academics Leader: Alice Schoengold
    • Arts Leader: Pearl Apsey
    • Athletics Leader: Ryn Rubenstein
    • Community Service Leader: Isabelle Davis
    • Spirit Leader: Maddy Buckley
  • Speak Up Ambassadors: Middle School Speak Up Ambassadors take on active student leadership roles, working directly with younger peers to build an inclusive, supportive, and empathetic culture across campus.
The Dining Squad
Leadership also takes shape through collaborative partnerships with school leadership. Director of Dining Services Gary Loiselle is launching a student Dining Squad featuring student representatives from every division. Meeting regularly throughout the year, these student reps gather feedback from their classmates, share ideas on menu offerings, and collaborate directly with FLIK Independent School Dining to learn more about nutrition, culinary options, and sustainable dining.
Upper School: Student-Driven Culture & Advisory Teams
In the Upper School, student leadership takes center stage through student-led organizations, advisory teams, and high-impact experiential learning:
  • Student Leadership Council & Prefects: Senior Prefects work to create an inclusive, collaborative environment for all Upper School students and faculty. Alongside them, Student Leadership Council (SLC) Representatives and SLC Co-Chairs advocate for class needs and guide student life across all four grades.
  • Specialized Student Advisory Teams: Upper Schoolers drive campus participation through targeted leadership groups:
    • SWAT (Student Wellness Advising Team): Focuses on student body wellness while modeling respect and integrity.
    • SALT (Student-Athlete Leadership Team): Fosters strong partnerships between student-athletes, coaches, and administration.
    • CAT (Creative Arts Team): Student artists who champion participation, community, and inclusivity in the arts.
    • Blue Key Leaders: Welcoming school ambassadors who provide prospective families with authentic student perspectives during campus visits.
  • Thriving Club Culture: With nearly 90% of Upper School students participating in clubs—ranging from Model UN and Debate to Women in STEM, Business & Marketing, and Marine Conservation—students regularly organize meetings, build programming, and learn how to lead.
  • Civic & Global Leadership: Beyond student government, Upper Schoolers broaden their leadership perspectives through immersive experiences like the Eleventh-Grade History Trip, real-world problem solving in the Community Changemaker Challenge (CCC), and global leadership programs like the GCI Fellowship in Scotland.
A Continuum of Growth
Whether running for student office, guiding younger classmates through the hallway, mentoring peers on advisory teams, or collaborating directly with Dining Services on the new Dining Squad, Berwick students across Pre-K through Grade 12 are proving that leadership is a practice cultivated every single day.
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Berwick Academy

31 Academy Street
South Berwick, Maine 03908

Contact:
Admission | 207.384.6300
Main Office | 207.384.2164
Berwick Academy, situated on an 80-acre campus just over one hour north of Boston, serves 520 students, Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 and Postgraduates. Berwick students are from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and several countries. Deeply committed to its mission of promoting virtue and useful knowledge, Berwick Academy empowers students to be creative and bold. Berwick strives to graduate alumni who shape their own learning, take risks, ask thoughtful questions, and come to understand and celebrate their authentic selves.

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