Leadership and Justice Training

Leaders in Training (LIT) is for students in grades 8 to 12 who are in good standing, demonstrate an interest in or talent for leadership, and agree to participate in a series of leadership trainings. LIT members are approved through a simple application process confirming academic and behavioral standing; acquiring signatures of support from parents, faculty members, and peers; offering brief essay responses to questions regarding personal goals and commitments; and promising participation in all LIT trainings. LIT members are class council representatives, team captains, National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society members, and other qualifying students who are eager to strengthen their leadership skills.

Student Leadership University (SLU) trains and inspires young leaders in their Biblical calling to lead. It is a comprehensive, progressive leadership program open to all LIT members in good academic and behavioral standing. SLU 101 takes place in Orlando, Florida; SLU 201 in Washington DC; SLU 301 in London, England; and SLU 401 in the Holy Lands. SLU attendants must commit to participation in all group fundraising projects to defray trip costs. SCS was the home of the first international SLU 101 conference in 2014, drawing students from the Cibao region, Santo Domingo, and the United States.

To find out more about Student Leadership University visit www.slulead.com

Freshman Milestone

The freshman justice milestone project introduces students to basic concepts of social justice, evaluating how justice lies at the center of God's character. Students research modern slavery, discuss ongoing work in justice ministries, interact with those working directly with the victimized and marginalized… and then propose their own solutions to complex issues of justice. In the course of this project, students recognize their position as Jesus's hands and feet to bring justice and good news into places of pain and darkness. They learn that becoming personas íntegras means a commitment to respecting others as image-bearers, demonstrating empathy, and advocating for the voiceless. Challenges to students' presentation and public-speaking skills prepare them to advocate for victims of injustice. This milestone has a distinctly Dominican focus. While much research draws on international research and organizations, students' final projects explore examples of injustice here in the Dominican Republic and challenge them to find realistic solutions to these complex issues.

Senior Capstone

The senior justice capstone project addresses all of the areas related to SCS graduates becoming personas íntegras and gives the students an opportunity to demonstrate their growth in character, wisdom, and influence through academic research and practical works of justice and mercy. The project is broken into two phases during which students collaborate first to research a justice issue and then take action to address it.

Semester One The goal of part one is to hear personally from people who are suffering from social injustices here in the Dominican Republic, document their stories, understand what the Bible says about the injustice, and come up with ideas to raise awareness and help these people.
Semester Two The goal of part two is to advocate on behalf of those who are suffering from the injustice that was identified first semester. Students make a sustained effort to implement practical strategies to raise awareness and to bring about positive change. For the Bible final exam, students present their capstone projects to a panel of community members and classmates.

Justice Week is a time for delving deeply into and applying practical concepts of Biblical justice. For a dedicated week, students increase understanding of Biblical justice while strengthening those concepts through practice in real-world settings. Local and international speakers bring rich, engaging, and relevant subjects to broaden awareness of all varieties of injustice. The goal is to cultivate a spirit of compassion by touching the minds and hearts of students in a way that inspires them to think and act justly.

The week ends with participation in a variety of practicums. These practicums provide opportunities to put new understanding into practice at SCS partner schools and other organizations dedicated to social justice. Students see real challenges first-hand and envision responses that address those needs. Best of all, students begin to realize not only that they have the resources required to affect change, but also that now is the time to use those resources. During Justice Week, students are inspired to re-imagine their world as a place fit for all the people God designed in His image to live forever. In so doing, they are beginning to reflect Jesus in character, wisdom, and influence.