Portsmouth Leadership Academy

Overview

The Portsmouth Leadership Academy is a student leadership program designed to empower students to become active champions of school climate and culture. Its purpose is to cultivate student leaders who model core values, promote school pride, foster inclusivity and lead initiatives that strengthen community connections within Portsmouth High School. 

In order for a student to hold a leadership title in athletics or a club, they must be an accepted member of the Portsmouth Leadership Academy.

Examples:

• Athletic Team Captain

• Club Student Liaison

• Student Council/Student Government Officers and Representatives

• Lead Peer Mentors

Portsmouth Leadership Academy Nomination and Selection Procedure

Students may be nominated for membership to the Portsmouth Leadership Academy by an athletic coach, club advisor, or PHS faculty member prior to the beginning of the athletic season (Fall, Winter, Spring) or, in the case of student clubs, prior to the Fall Club Fair.  Student nominees should meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate strong leadership characteristics or a propensity towards developing leadership characteristics amongst their peers and the general school community

• Exemplify the components of the Core Values of Portsmouth High School outlined within the acronym, PRIDE:

  • Perseverance 

  • Respect

  • Innovation

  • Dedication

  • Engagement

• Each candidate's school record is reviewed as part of the selection process in accordance with a programmatic rubric in alignment with our core values. Major disciplinary infractions casting a negative impression on Portsmouth High School, may disqualify a student from membership in the PLA

Once nominated, prospective PLA candidates will be reviewed by a PLA Faculty Council consisting of various faculty leaders. Each student will be carefully considered and accepted/denied into the PLA program as outlined within the criteria provided below. 

* For this upcoming school year (SY 2025-26), PLA Fall nominees should be provided no later than August 1, 2025.

Membership & Expectations

Once a student has been admitted into the PLA program they will be asked to continue to uphold the PHS PRIDE Core Values throughout their time at Portsmouth High School. 

In the spirit of fostering growth and leadership ability, members of the PLA will be required to attend the following mandatory meetings throughout the school year:

• After-School Leadership Trainings  (2:00 - 3:00pm) (Once per Month)

  • Hosted by one or more building administrators and/or guest speakers, these sessions will focus around various aspects of leadership as well as increasing our ambassadors’ ability to lead within the Patriot community

• School-Based Culture & Climate Meetings  (Advisory) (Biweekly)

  • Primarily led by our Coordinators of Student Life, these sessions will look to address current school-based issues as well as participating in facilitated conversations rooted in student-leadership problems of practice.

PLA Ambassadors are expected to uphold all of their expectations and meet all responsibilities in order to earn recognition for their service. Failure to uphold any of these expectations or responsibilities are grounds for being put on probation and/or dismissal from the program. Students who remain enrolled in the Patriot Leadership Academy through graduation will be awarded a special cord that may be worn with the traditional PHS graduation regalia.

Students not Selected by The PLA Faculty Council

Students who have been deemed “not ready” for acceptance into the PLA but still have interest in joining are encouraged to work with their Coordinator of Student Life to identify areas of growth and to develop a plan to improve upon areas that do not meet the PHS standard. When progress has been made and the student’s goal has been reached, they will be recommended to the PLA program.

Students/Families who wish to appeal the PLA Faculty Council’s decision to deny entry into the PLA program should reach out directly to the building principal.