Center for the Advancement of Girls
Programs
Original Programming
The Center uses the latest girl-centered research to develop programming that addresses key findings. Here are a few programs that you will only find at Agnes Irwin.
Living Leadership in Lower School
Our Leadership Toolkit© is central to our Lower School curriculum. Developed in partnership with Bryn Mawr College's Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, the Leadership Toolkit brings abstract ideas about leadership to life for our youngest learners.
AIS Allied
A cohort-style mentoring program provides an opportunity for Upper School students to explore careers, societal issues, and identity with adult mentors throughout the year. Our "allies," or adult women mentors, share their experiences and help guide students as they prepare to transition to higher learning.
AthLEADs
Recognizing that 94% of C-Suite women participated in athletics, we are connecting our leadership programming to the student-athlete experience. Our AthLEADs program prepares student-athletes to lead on and off the field.
Read more about AthLEADs
Alumnae Speaker Series
Research tells us that the development of leadership identity comes in part from hearing about the vicarious experiences of role models who have navigated both challenging and victorious moments. In partnership with the Alumnae Relations office, we bring women leaders to campus to share their career journey and pathways to success.
Student Leadership Training
Middle and Upper School elected student-leaders receive additional support throughout the year to help build their leadership capacity and practical skills. The Center works in collaboration with the Middle School Deans and Upper School Dean of students to ensure that girls are confident and competent in their respective roles.
4th Grade Capstone Experiences
Living Leadership in the Lower School (L3) reaches a capstone in the fourth grade year. As such, the Lower School partners with the Center for the Advancement of Girls to build three unique experiences that serve as the culmination of work with the leadership toolkit. The focus of the capstone program is to inspire reflection about the traits that play an important role in each student’s identity and to empower girls to utilize the traits through three challenges.
Student-Led Programming
The Council for the Advancement of Girls — our student-run organization that serves as a liaison between the Center and our student body — puts their leadership training into practice in our school and in the community.
Leading for Change Conference
This annual conference is designed by girls, for girls. Since 2013, The Council for the Advancement of Girls has created the original programming, initiated the fundraising and promotion, booked prominent speakers, and hosted its Leading for Change conference. Each year's conference, which is free to attend, explores different topics of interest for high schoolers and is open to girls in our surrounding area. More than 30 students work together on each conference, and 60% of our student body participates in the Council for the Advancement of Girls during their four years in Upper School.