High School Leadership Institute: Home

What is the Service in Schools Leadership Institute? 

The Service in Schools (SIS) Leadership Institute is a leadership and youth service program for NYC public schools students in grades 10-12. It consists of a five-day in-person institute during spring break in April, two virtual after-school sessions in May, and a virtual lesson with an elementary school class during late spring 2023. 

Over the course of program sessions, students work in small groups to learn about animal welfare, the environment, disability rights, and homelessness, and develop a virtual lesson that they will teacher to students in grades 3-5 during the late spring 2023 as part of the Youth Service Summit. 

Who is eligible to participate in the Leadership Institute?

NYC public schools students who are currently in grades 10-12 who have not participated in past SIS programming.

What is expected of students participating in Leadership Institute? 

Leadership Institute students will participate in a five-day in-person institute from Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14, 2023 and two virtual after-school sessions on Tuesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 25. The spring break institute sessions run from 9:00am-3:00pm each day in Midtown Manhattan and the after-school sessions run from 4:00-5:30pm on Zoom.

During the program sessions, Leadership Institute students will participate in group discussions, collaborate with the other students in their group, share work progress, and actively engage in session activities. In addition to attending the scheduled program sessions, participating students are expected to coordinate with their group members to draft and practice their virtual lesson and to communicate with their teacher(s) and school officials to arrange for their participation in the Youth Service Summit lessons that occur during the school day in late spring.

When are the Leadership Institute sessions?

• Institute Week: Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14, 9:00am-3:00pm each day 
• Virtual Sessions: Tuesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 25; 4:00-5:30pm each day
• Youth Service Summit Lesson Days: Weeks of May 31 and June 12, during the school day (exact dates and times TBD).

What are the requirements for the Leadership Institute application?

Students interested in participating in the Leadership Institute should complete the program application by 11:59pm on Monday, March 6. The Parent/Guardian Declarations and Release must be completed by a parent/guardian and all other questions must be completed by the applying student. Students will also be asked to provide the name and email address of a teacher in their application. If a student is selected as a finalist for the Leadership Institute, SIS will reach out to the teacher named in the application for a reference.

Can I apply for the Leadership Institute if I have participated in past SIS programs (such as a past Leadership Institute, Virtual Leadership Institute, or the Teens Advocating for Change program)? 

Unfortunately NO. This program is open to students who have not previously participated in a SIS program. If you are an SIS alum looking for additional service opportunities, email ServiceinSchools@schools.nyc.gov and the SIS team will connect you to relevant opportunities!

What are the benefits of participating in Leadership Institute? 

This program offers students the opportunity to develop leadership skills and inspire youth while gaining knowledge from a variety of media and expert sources on a issue impacting their community. The in-person and virtual sessions give students the opportunity to make connections with students from across the city and emphasize group collaboration. Additionally, students will learn from experts from local community-based organizations and get support and feedback on their service-learning lessons from the SIS Team. In culmination, Leadership Institute students will lead live virtual lessons for elementary school students during the Youth Service Summit lesson days to demonstrate how students of all ages can make a difference in their community. 

If you have any additional questions about the Leadership Institute, email ServiceinSchools@schools.nyc.gov.