Rooted in the belief that all students are on a personal leadership journey, ethical leadership at MKA fosters students’ identity development and ethical growth, inspiring and equipping them to make positive change in their communities. Our ethical leaders ask and seek answers to the questions: Who am I, and who am I hoping to become? What does it mean to be a member of a community? How am I contributing? How am I serving as a leader?
WHAT DOES LEADERSHIP LOOK LIKE?
At the Primary School
At the Primary School
With an understanding that ethical development is an essential entry point for leadership work, we help our students understand and act on a few key foundational principles: Be respectful. Lead by example. Stand up for what is right. Even the youngest members of our community serve as change agents.
At the Middle School
At the Middle School
Opportunities to serve as leaders take a variety of forms. Some students hold official roles in Student Government, some lead FLEX classes, while others work behind the scenes on tech crews for school plays. All students practice effective collaboration to better understand and address important issues in our society.
At the Upper School
At the Upper School
Two Ethical Leadership Lab courses help students to chart their personal Ethical Leadership journeys. Whether they build a robot, volunteer, or travel abroad, students understand their responsibility as community members and global citizens to use their knowledge and skills to make a positive difference in their world.
Three Pillars of Ethical Leadership
Integrity
We seek to better understand and engage with our personal identities and their intersectionality that help to shape our passions, values, strengths, challenges, and biases. We strive to act honestly in all situations, with ourselves and others, in accordance with our values.
Empathy
We seek to better understand and appreciate the experiences and perspectives of all individuals. We strive to act with the understanding that our decisions and behaviors shape our communities.
Service
We seek to help others through words, actions, and deeds. We strive to act in ways that contribute to positive and healthy communities.
LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
We live our mission to educate purposeful leaders who act with vision and character and to prepare them for the world beyond MKA. The following MKA programs aim to inspire our students, equip them with the skills of ethical leaders, and help them identify their unique leadership paths
Philip McNeal Leadership Program
Inspired by the life of former Trustee and MKA parent Philip McNeal, the Philip McNeal Leadership Program aims to deepen the conversation about ethical leadership at the Upper School through robust curricular and co-curricular activities.
Global Competency
At MKA, global competency means empowering students to examine complex issues, appreciate diverse perspectives, and take meaningful action. Through classroom learning and real-world experiences, students grow into ethical leaders and curious, collaborative, and compassionate global citizens.
Community Engagement
Through hands-on, real-world experiences, MKA students cultivate empathy, develop a deeper understanding of social responsibility, and recognize their power to effect positive change. Whether they are volunteering locally, leading school-wide initiatives, or partnering with organizations beyond MKA’s walls, students are encouraged to listen, act, and reflect. Through authentic learning experiences, students develop lifelong social-emotional habits and learn to partner with others to make a difference within a community.
Sustainability
Through our efforts in sustainability, MKA cultivates a deep sense of responsibility among students and the entire community to conserve resources, protect the environment, and promote social justice—vital expressions of ethical leadership in action. By embedding sustainability principles throughout campus life and the curriculum, we equip students with the knowledge, integrity, and habits necessary to make informed, thoughtful stewardship decisions that contribute to a healthier, more just world.
Amplifying and Aligning Learning
Hemmeter-McNeal Lecture Series
Honoring the legacy of two MKA community members, Robert Hemmeter and Philip McNeal, the Hemmeter-McNeal Lectures bring guest speakers to campus to explore the intersection of ethical leadership and innovation.
WATCH MOST RECENT LECTURE
