Serra's Global Leadership Program

Serra’s groundbreaking Global Leadership Program is designed exclusively for boys who are ready to embark on a transformative educational journey.

Our program is dedicated to empowering young minds, fostering independent thinking and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.

Serra’s Global Leadership Program is a dynamic academic path that encourages students to explore their passion and create a unique direction of study that aligns with their interests. Whether it is engineering, business, health, or the arts, students have the freedom to shape their educational experience through the Global Leadership Program.

Throughout the course of their studies, students are mentored on their progress and complete the program with a capstone project that is mission-focused on global awareness and innovative service.

What fascinates YOU?

Sample Areas of Concentration

Engineering

Global Leadership in Engineering

Global Leadership Seminar
Two years of applicable courses
- Examples:
  - Introduction to Engineering Design
  - AP Physics
  - AP Calculus
  - Honors Chemistry
Two years of activity outside classes
- Examples:
  - Robotics Team
  - Physics Club
  - Science Club
  - Future Aviators Club
Leadership Project

Arts

Global Leadership in the Arts

Global Leadership Seminar
Two years of applicable courses
- Examples:
  - Drama 2
  - AP 2-Dimensional Art
  - Concert Band
  - Men's Chorus
Two years of activity outside classes
- Examples:
  - International Thespian Society
  - Tri-School Choir
  - Audio/Visual Performing Arts Club
  - Praise Band
Leadership Project

Innovation

Global Leadership in Innovation

Global Leadership Seminar
Two years of applicable courses
- Examples:
  - Principles of Design Thinking
  - Computer Programming
  - Creative Solutions for the Global Good
  - Intro to App Development
Two years of activity outside classes
- Examples:
  - Coding Club
  - Applicable part-time job or internship
  - Robotics Team
  - Serra Global Speaker Series
Leadership Project

Health

Global Leadership in Health

Global Leadership Seminar
Two years of applicable courses
- Examples:
  - Diseases and Human Physiology
  - AP Biology
  - Anatomy and Physiology
  - Forensic Science
Two years of activity outside classes
- Examples:
  - Sports Medicine Club
  - Science Club
  - Pre-Health Club
  - Zumba Club
Leadership Project

Entrepreneurship/Business

Global Leadership in Entrepreneurship/Business

Global Leadership Seminar
Two years of applicable courses
- Examples:
  - Intro to Business: Entrepreneurship
  - Intro to Business: Marketing
  - AP Statistics
  - Data Science
Two years of activity outside classes
- Examples:
  - Business Innovation Club
  - Stocks and Economics Club
  - National Business Honor Society
  - Part-time job or internship
Leadership Project

Culture and Diversity

Global Leadership in Culture and Diversity

Global Leadership Seminar
Two years of applicable courses
- Examples:
  - Philosophy and Ethnic Studies
  - Spanish III
  - AP Spanish Language and Culture
  - Mandarin IV
Two years of activity outside classes
- Examples:
  - Immersion Trips
  - Ethics Bowl
  - French Club
  - Multicultural Club
Leadership Project

Civil Engagement/Service

Global Leadership in Civil Engagement and Service

Global Leadership Seminar
Two years of applicable courses
- Examples:
  - History of Genocide & Ethnic Studies
  - Creative Solutions for the Global Good
  - AP American Government and Politics
  - United States History
Two years of activity outside classes
- Examples:
  - Mock Trial
  - Democracy Now
  - Student Government
  - Christian Service and Justice Club
Leadership Project

Applied Mathematics

Global Leadership in Applied Mathematics

Global Leadership Seminar
Two years of applicable courses
- Examples:
  - Calculus
  - AP Computer Science
  - Data Science
  - Honors Physics
Two years of activity outside classes
- Examples:
  - Coding Club
  - Stocks and Economics Club
  - Chess and Classic Games Club
  - AMC 10/12 Competition
Leadership Project

Screenwriting

Global Leadership in Screenwriting

Global Leadership Seminar
Two years of applicable courses
- Examples:
  - Digital Filmmaking and Screenwriting
  - Creative Writing
  - Music and Video Production
  - Drama 3
Two years of activity outside classes
- Examples:
  - Creative Writing Club
  - Film Club
  - Fall Play
  - Stage Crew
Leadership Project

How it works . . .

Students explore their interests, passions and strengths:

Students begin by completing a Global Leadership Seminar class, a nontraditional class that allows students to explore the intersection of innovation and leadership and to develop ideas for an individual project. They then apply for acceptance into the program. Once accepted, students choose their academic focus and align it with their interests.

The concentration aligns with a student's passion:

Upon acceptance into the program, students select an area of concentration that aligns with their passion. This concentration includes a multi-year course of study within the college preparatory program and is supported by co-curricular activities. These courses and co-curriculars deepens the students' learning and develops the content knowledge and skills to execute their capstone project.

Collaborating on a global scale helps open up new opportunities for students:

Students learn about leaders from a variety of national and cultural settings and develop an open-mindedness, humility and inclusion of differences. This allows them to see the challenges from a broad perspective, and use that information to develop effective solutions. Students have the opportunity to hear from and connect with students and professionals in various countries.

Students are called upon to become leaders:

Serra calls all students to be leaders by using their unique gifts in a way that improves the human condition. Leadership lies as the heart of the program as they respond to a need and develop a project of service. We are developing intellectually curious, socially responsible leaders. This program represents applied learning in its highest form.

The program is catered to how boys learn:

Data shows that boys thrive in an environment full of choices. The GLP offers students scaffolded opportunities to explore their academic identity, assume responsibility and ownership of their learning and connect it to their specific interests and passions.

Students receive special designation that promotes college recognition:

Students who successfully complete the GLP will receive a special designation on their high school transcripts that identify the student as one who designed and accomplished a rigorous, self-directed learning curriculum within a college preparatory learning environment.

Students are mentored by skilled and supportive faculty:

The GLP is focused on a set of progressive experiences that shape a student and his distinctive talents. The work is guided by a skilled mentor and it is focused on service, tying the effort and the student’s growth into the very mission of the school to develop men who will make a difference in the world.

The program is based on the design thinking model:

Students learn and apply the design thinking model when identifying and implementing their leadership projects. They focus on empathy and the development of insightful questions to reveal problems worth solving. Students also continually reiterate their project as it progresses. Learn more about design thinking and Serra's Design-Led Innovation Program here.

Presentation of Capstone Project:

The Capstone Project helps students set something of their own in motion, overcome challenges and learn to convey the story of that effort. Innovative service in support of the common good lies at the heart of Serra’s mission. The Capstone Project provides a concrete and real-world application for a student to become personally and passionately involved in service. This is a powerful tool for students when competing for university admissions, pursuing internship and job opportunities and launching their own businesses.

Learn what our students are doing!

Phillip Engstrom and Mateo Soto

Our project is Game Givers, in which we refurbish and donate gaming consoles for younger patients to combat unhappiness and boredom in the hospital.

Vince Nunez

My project is called SilverCycle, which encourages and benefits the seniors of our community to exercise through cycling.

Carter May

I became inspired while taking a course in Introduction to Business: Marketing. I am now the founder, creator and interviewer of my own podcast called How High Can You Jump?

Find out more here.

Program History

Since the fall of 2018, Serra has offered a course called Creative Solutions for the Global Good. Students in this class have designed projects that have improved the lives of others near and far. These projects reflect what students learn in their classes, the ideas shared by guest speakers from around the world, and the stories of people who have taken their innovative ideas to new heights.

Now, through the Global Leadership Program, more Padres are taking advantage of these leadership opportunities and international connections. The program highlights the power of choice and helps students become excited about their possibilities. Members of Serra’s outstanding faculty work with the director for Design-Led Innovation to help students pursue projects that help others. Students present their ideas to a global audience during the spring semester, which last year included more than 100 professionals from 20 countries.

See the students' projects video below for examples of what Serra students are doing.

Stinson Center for Learning and Innovation

The Global Leadership Program is led by the Director of Design Led Innovation and housed in the Stinson Center for Learning and Innovation. Completed in 2023, the Stinson Center was designed with innovation and student support in mind and provides the necessary facilities for project development. It is a space where students collaborate and pitch their projects to in-person and online audiences. It is also where our Padres hear stories of those who, through innovation and insight, craft creative ways to improve their communities near and far.

Fascinating speakers and the lunchtime Crazy Short Film Festival have transformed the Stinson Center into a space where students unleash their creativity, explore innovative ideas and reach their full potential.

Program Requirements

Students hoping to apply to the program must complete the following:

Take the Global Leadership Seminar
Maintain good academic standing
Meet with the Director of Design-Led Innovation
Complete the application, including a project proposal, an area of concentration and the student's assurance that he understands the nontraditional nature of the class
Complete applicable courses, participate in activities outside their coursework, and complete the leadership project with the support of a faculty or community mentor

In order to successfully complete the Global Leadership Program, students must show the following:

Complete the one-semester Global Leadership Seminar
Complete two courses applicable to the project
Take part in two years of activity (outside coursework) applicable to the project
Complete the Global Leadership Project with the support of a mentor selected with the Director of Design-Led Innovation
Publicly present the project

Global Leadership Seminar

To be part of the Global Leadership Program, a current Serra student first takes the Global Leadership Seminar course—a nontraditional class that allows students to explore the intersection of innovation and leadership and to develop ideas for an individual project.

The seminar class includes both synchronous and asynchronous work. Once the seminar class is completed, a student is eligible to apply to the Global Leadership Program.

Once the seminar is completed, the student should have demonstrated the drive and organizational skills necessary to succeed in the seminar and has developed an idea for a project and has met with the Director of Design-Led Innovation. The Director of Innovation will assess whether the project represents a meaningful challenge as part of the program.

Toward the end of the project, a student will share the story of his experience to inspire other students to explore their own potential for bringing together their interests, learning beyond the classroom and leading efforts that make a difference in the lives of others.

Sample Narratives

Enjoy reading a couple sample narratives below!

Why is a student-designed project the central piece of the program?

Through this program, Serra aims to help students develop and act on their learning and talents that are personally distinctive. The project helps students set something of their own in motion, overcome challenges, and learn to convey the story of that effort. We believe this is an especially powerful tool for students when competing for university admissions, pursuing internship and job opportunities and launching their own businesses or other initiatives. In addition, service of the common good lies at the heart of Serra’s mission. The project provides a concrete and real-world application for a student to become personally and passionately involved in service.

What role do the classes play in the program, and how are they chosen?

Students entering Serra may have a sense of their interests; however, they may not have yet encoutered the people or activities that will inspire them to begin shaping the path for their futures. Commonly, students in this program will identify one class taken during the freshman or sophomore year that filled this role, and a second class they plan to take to continue developing their ideas. By developing a project idea based on early interests and inspiring experiences, students are better prepared to choose from among the many higher-level courses and activities when planning their junior and senior years.

How do the areas of concentration work?

The areas of concentration represent a field that fascinates the student and aligns with his project, giving him a frame of reference for explaining his project to others. The student will choose courses and extracurricular activities that support his concentration, deepen his learning and provide knowledge and skills to support development of the project. While there is a clear connection to the coursework for some areas (engineering, screenwriting, etc.), the program is flexible enough to allow students (with guidance) to shape their own pathway. Ultimately, those students who tie their project and their learning to what they are passionate about are the ones with the most dynamic stories to share about their high school experience.

How does the program foster leadership?

Leadership is a core value learning outcome that Serra seeks for all our students. Students in the Global Leadership Seminar learn about and from thinkers, entrepreneurs and corporate and organizational leaders who are solving complex problems to benefit underserved communities. We believe those who lead do so best through a combination of drive and humility. Mixing these elements of the Serra experience with exposure to inspiring stories and people around the world sets the stage for great leadership. Serra students embody the value of leadership when they make a difference for good in the world—embodied in their culminating project.

What is "global" about this program?

Students learn about leaders from a variety of national and cultural settings, developing an open-mindedness, humility, and inclusion of differences. With this, they can see the challenges they encounter and optimize their to contribute to meaningfully, effective and sustainable solutions. They have the opportunity to hear from and connect with students and professionals in various countries. This can help them learn to share feedback with and from others in a productive and professional manner.

How is the Global Leadership Program different from pathways programs at other schools?

At Serra, the pathway is individualized, focusing on the leadership project and the work one does to craft, launch, develop and tell the story of that project. The pathway at Serra includes classes and extracurricular activities that deepen the student’s learning. However, the path is focused on a set of progressive experiences that shape the student and his distinctive talents. Importantly, the work is guided by a skilled mentor and it is focussed on service, tying the effort and the student’s growth into the very mission of the school to develop men who will make a difference in the world.

Still have questions?
Please contact:
Design-Led Innovation Director Rushton Hurley or
Assistant Principal of Academics Rita Lee

Third Annual
Creative Solutions for the Global Good
International Showcase

Serra conducts an annual showcase where students from the Creative Solutions for the Global Good class present their projects during an annual international showcase with students from Parklands College in Cape Town, South Africa, a PK-12th grade school. Both schools value the intersection of innovation and service. Now in its fourth year, students are working to present their completed projects in May.

The audience consisted of more than 100 supporters from 20 countries including South Africa, Lebanon, Rwanda, Uganda, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, India, Singapore, Japan, China, Hong Kong and the United States.

Watch the 2023 showcase of how students are using technology and creative insights to make a difference in the lives of others.

Meet Serra's Global Leadership Team

Rushton Hurley
Design-Led Innovation Director
Co-Teacher:
Creative Solutions for the Global Good
Advanced Solutions for the Global Good

Rushton Hurley is an international speaker on education who has been working with Serra for the past 13 years. He has lived, worked and taught around the world for decades, and brings invaluable insights and professional connections to the Design-Led Innovation program.

Rita Lee
Assistant Principal of Academics
Co-Teacher:
Creative Solutions for the Global Good
Advanced Solutions for the Global Good

With advanced degrees from Stanford and Harvard, Rita Lee has developed some of the school's most innovative curricula and programs over her 18-year career at Serra. She is the driving force behind our Design-Led Innovation Program.