The role of students in our Leadership Grades is vital to developing the schoolwide culture of building resilient leaders. To assist students and help to build the culture at Ladd, our Leaders will have many responsibilities. These roles will include but are not limited to student government/advisors, office aides (announcements, tour guides, messengers), student mentors, conflict mediators, safety patrol support, and technology assistants.

• We will have a set homeroom for students with a primary contact teacher for parents.
• Students will rotate with their homeroom to different teachers for different content areas. This helps them practice organization, responsibility, and flexibility.
• Students will have direct instruction on their specific level for math by attending a "Focus Math" class.
• The Leadership Grades will eat lunch in the Commons Cafe all together.
• Students will have four Encores a quarter. They are structured on a rotation with two each day. They include a variety of topics including art, music, STEM, leadership, movement, and more. We also incorporate the Extended Learning Program and Resource Support during this time so that students are not pulled out of their core academic instruction.
• If 6/7/8 graders are interested in interscholastic athletics, they are welcome to participate at Tanana.

The biggest question that parents have is, "Will my child be prepared for high school?" Ladd meets students where they are and challenges them to demonstrate growth. The student reflection and ownership that is developed at Ladd prepares students to be independent learners. They learn to be advocates of their own learning process. Students also rotate amongst core teaching staff, preparing them for varying requirements and expectations in high school. As they improve their content knowledge, they will develop their flexibility and social skills. These are skills that are needed for success in high school. 

Each morning, these guidelines for success are recited together to help all of us refocus on behavior expectations. Students learn to make wise choices and take responsibility for their actions. Staff, along with leaders in 6, 7 & 8 grade, encourage these behaviors by handing the student a “Pawsitive” Paw, leading to entrance in the Paw Club Book, a certificate emailed home, posting on the bulletin board, and a possible reward. This is Ladd’s “Pawsitive” way of encouraging appropriate behaviors and growing society’s leaders.