Responsible Citizenship

Creating the next generation of Responsible Citizens

How do you prepare a student for a world that is constantly changing?

At Collegiate, we believe the answer lies in practicing responsible citizenship. In every grade level, students learn how to be curious, considerate, and engaged citizens through connecting with community leaders, global partners, and alumni. We work hard to bring to life Collegiate founder Helen Baker’s vision that all alumni become ‘good citizens in the widest sense’. 

Engaging with Richmond and the World

Collegiate students practice engaging with the people and places of Richmond and beyond by turning curiosity, consideration, and connection into responsible action.

 

Civic Engagement

Our work with civic engagement is based on mutual benefit and human connection. Based on the Civic Circle framework, we understand that doing good comes in many forms.

Economic Literacy & entrepreneurship

The decision-making process and understanding of systems are fundamental components of economic literacy and entrepreneurship. We focus on the pursuit of opportunities beyond simply acquiring resources.

Capstones

Capstones occur at the end of Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School, focusing on the Collegiate community (4th), the greater Richmond region (8th), and on student contributions and connection to the world (12th). They are experiential, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and include public sharing as a demonstration of learning.

Global Engagement

Global engagement is an opportunity to build inclusive communities by exploring diverse stories and perspectives, and is anchored in experiential and relational learning.

Sustainability

Sustainability education at Collegiate cultivates curiosity so that nature is nurtured. We understand the need to reflect on our environmental actions and also to learn from nature.

Upper School Student

World Changing

Responsible Citizenship at Collegiate empowers engaged, contributing citizens by nurturing students’ compassion, creativity, and purpose.

students being responsible citizens
students being responsible citizens
students being responsible citizens
students being responsible citizens

BEYOND

THE CLASSROOM

 

7

International

Partner Schools throughout the world.

138

Faculty

Involved in different learning experiances in partnership with the Powell Institue for Responsible Citizenship.

1689

Students engaging

With the people and places of Richmond and beyond.

 

what makes a responsible

citizen?

students hugging

Empowering engagement, Instilling Leadership

The Powell Institute for Responsible Citizenship at Collegiate equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values to engage meaningfully in their communities and the wider world. Through programs focused on leadership, civic engagement, service, and ethical decision-making, the Institute fosters a strong sense of personal responsibility and global awareness. It is a cornerstone of Collegiate’s mission to develop thoughtful, compassionate citizens.

 

Getting together with diverse cultures and perspectives to solve issues that are challenging countries everywhere has been amazing. Having that level of differing perspectives has been enlightening, and that’s shown me another way to approach global problems. This has probably been the most life changing thing that I’ve ever done at Collegiate.

Talbot Spraker

Collegiate Student
Students engage in clean up efforts on campus for Earth Day.

The Powell Institue for Responsible Citizenship

The Powell Institute for Responsible Citizenship (PIRC) team is a small group of Collegiate educators that work together to connect Collegiate to the people and places of Richmond and beyond. Community is a Collegiate core value, and PIRC works to support students and faculty in engaging responsibly and compassionately with a wide variety of communities. They do this primarily through (a) leading or supporting experiential programs, (b) working toward a JK-12 throughline of citizenship education, and (c) supporting faculty through professional growth and partnerships.

Mentoring students to ask their own questions about both human and biological diversity is central to addressing sustainability in a rapidly changing world. Sustainable cultural and environmental practices are deeply intertwined, and our work to connect students’ hearts and minds to the natural world empowers them to honor their personal impacts in the communities in which they interact.

Sandra Marr

Director, Sustainability

Connecting across differences — whether on campus, in our Richmond community, nationally or abroad — helps our students to develop curiosity, resilience, and confidence in new environments, build empathy, and better understand how others’ lived stories influence their perspectives.

Monica Melton

Director of Global Engagement

Responsible citizens are empathetic and engaged, actively seeking to make their communities and the world a better place. The Powell Institute for Responsible Citizenship supports teachers and students in finding innovative ways to broaden horizons and foster connections so we can all become more responsible members of society.

Kevin Duncan

Director, Powell Institute for Responsible Citizenship

A foundational understanding of economics sparks curiosity giving rise to intriguing questions that help students grasp the complexities of meeting unlimited wants and needs with limited resources. By nurturing entrepreneurial thinkers in tandem with economic literacy programs, students develop the skills and dispositions to reimagine the use of limited resources to achieve new and different outcomes, ever mindful of the impact of their choices on others.

Trina Clemans

Director Economic and Entrepreneurship Education

The Building Blocks of Education 

Collegiate’s Capstone program, guided by the School’s commitment to educating responsible citizens, enhances students’ classroom learning in a real-world context, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge to larger communities.

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IELC students pose in front of the Washington Monument

Global Perspective, Innovative Solutions

Every year, Collegiate proudly hosts the International Emerging Leaders Conference (IELC), bringing students from our partner schools around the world to our campus for a unique opportunity to connect, learn from one another, and broaden their perspectives. Alongside Collegiate students, participants engage in meaningful discussions, collaborative activities, and cultural exchange, building lasting relationships and gaining a deeper understanding of the diverse experiences and ideas that shape our global community.

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Where next?

School News

Keep up with the latest at Collegiate.

About Collegiate

Where new stories continue to be written.

Head of School

Introducing Jeff Mancabelli, our new Head of School.

Ourdoor Collegiate

Outdoor Collegiate fosters a love of adventure, outdoor recreation, and environmental stewardship.

Inclusion and Belonging

Collegiate's commitment to inclusion and belonging.
Students learn about sustainability at Collegiate community partner, Shalom Farms

LET’S

Grow

Schedule a meeting with one of our admission experts to learn more about the Powell Institute.

Start your journey

Students learn about sustainability at Collegiate community partner, Shalom Farms

LET’S

Grow

Schedule a meeting with one of our admission experts to learn more about the Powell Institute.

Start your journey

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START YOUR JOURNEY