Gravette Middle School is proud to announce that we are now recognized as a Leader in Me school, which is part of a worldwide movement based on Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This framework equips schools with a proven approach to developing leadership skills, building strong school culture, and improving academics. It’s a program that is woven into the daily life of students, staff, and families.
The Core Paradigms
Leader in Me is guided by five key beliefs that reshape how we see students, learning, and school life:
Everyone can be a leader - Leadership is not about position; every student has leadership potential.
Everyone has genius - Every child has unique talents and abilities worth discovering and celebrating.
Change starts with me - Students learn personal responsibility and the power of making positive choices.
Empower students to lead their own learning - Students set goals, track progress, and take ownership of their education.
Educators and families partner to develop the whole person - Success is measured not only in academics but also in character and life skills.
The Impact on School Life
Leadership Opportunities for Students: Students will take on leadership roles within the school, build portfolios of their accomplishments, and lead conferences with their families about their own learning.
Positive School Culture: Classrooms and common spaces will be designed to highlight student voice, celebrate achievements, and encourage responsibility. This builds a sense of belonging and pride.
Academic Growth: Students learn to set meaningful goals, track their progress, and connect their personal achievements to larger schoolwide goals. This empowers them to become active learners who are prepared for the future.
Partnership with Families and Community: Parents and local organizations are invited into the process, strengthening the connection between school and community and ensuring students are supported both inside and outside the classroom
What This Means for Gravette Middle School
By becoming a Leader in Me school, Gravette Middle School is making a commitment: to nurture life-ready leaders who are equipped not only for academic success, but also for success in high school, college, careers, and citizenship. It means students will practice leadership, accountability, and goal setting in a structured way that will stay with them long after middle school.
This is a deliberate culture shift that places students at the center of their own growth, and it brings parents, staff, and the community together in the shared mission of developing confident, capable leaders. We look forward to partnering with families and our community to nurture the leadership potential in every student.