Our Community
Student Life & Leadership
We Cultivate Community.
We know that teenagers learn best when they feel a sense of connection and belonging with their teachers and with their peers. This is part of the task of teenage development: to find your people.
We work to create an inclusive community where all students feel like a part of a larger whole, where each individual has something unique and valuable to bring to the table.
Our students aren’t just names on a roster to their teachers: they are known and seen, encouraged to develop capacities they didn’t know they had, championed as they persist through challenges. In a place like this, students don’t fall through the cracks; they are found, and they find themselves.
Our school culture is grounded in mutual respect, trust, and honor. We want our students to build strong academic skills, but just as importantly, we want them to develop the qualities that will make them good community members and good humans: integrity, empathy, and heart.
Community Meeting
Each week, our entire school community joins together for the student-run Community Meeting. It’s the temporal center of our week, and it often feels like the emotional heart, as well. The air almost palpably hums with the power of 400 people in the thrall of a shared experience, feeling similar feelings, reflecting in different ways, creating a powerful bond.Although each Community Meeting has its own flavor and spirit, there are certain things we can count on each time we gather. We often begin with a Moment of Reflection —a brief speech or presentation offered up by anyone in the community who feels moved to share their thoughts. We have had Moments of Reflection addressing topics ranging from personal experiences to current events to popular culture. These can be funny, poignant, opinionated...giving a window into the speaker's perspective.
Moments of Talent are another Community Meeting tradition. Students have shared original songs or performances being prepared for an upcoming show, scenes or monologues, unique skills like yo-yo and cup stacking...it is always fun to see the skills and creative gifts that our students want to share with their community.
These are then followed by two to three Senior Speeches: a culminating speech (required to graduate) given by every senior. The suggested theme is broad and our students interpret it in any manner they wish. Speeches have taken the form of lists, an original song, a multi-media powerpoint presentation, and much more.
After these speeches, we are often have presentations from student organizations or community members, sharing of class projects, and announcements. Every week is different and, except for the required senior speeches, participation is purely voluntary.
Moments of Talent are another Community Meeting tradition. Students have shared original songs or performances being prepared for an upcoming show, scenes or monologues, unique skills like yo-yo and cup stacking...it is always fun to see the skills and creative gifts that our students want to share with their community.
These are then followed by two to three Senior Speeches: a culminating speech (required to graduate) given by every senior. The suggested theme is broad and our students interpret it in any manner they wish. Speeches have taken the form of lists, an original song, a multi-media powerpoint presentation, and much more.
After these speeches, we are often have presentations from student organizations or community members, sharing of class projects, and announcements. Every week is different and, except for the required senior speeches, participation is purely voluntary.
At nearly every Community Meeting, we laugh, we cry, we listen, we give standing ovations, and we learn together. Most importantly, we share generously with one another: our thoughts and wisdom, our talent, our laughter and our smiles, our tears. We are all part of the whole.
Student Life
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Retreats
Retreats offer students an opportunity to to laugh, work cooperatively, and to play together. These bonding experiences help create a cohesive and connected class, accelerating the students' ability to thrive in the classroom. -
Advisory
Advisory is a like home-away-from-home during the school day. A mixed-grade-level group of about 10 students and one faculty advisor, this program helps students as they develop a sense of self and seek to find balance in their lives. -
Coyote Cup
Students can earn points for their class by competiting in a variety of challenges—everything from dodgeball to pumpking carving, dance offs to lip synch battles. The winning class gets a celebration and bragging rights. -
Dances
Homecoming, Winter Formal, Spring Dance, and Prom. Dances can be fancy or casual and are a great time for students to simply socialize and have fun. -
Movie Nights
Once or twice a year, the Student Leadership Council organizes a movie night. Students vote on the movie and then gather with sleeping bags in the amphitheater under the stars. It's like a drive-in, minus the cars.
Choose Your Adventure
"Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. "
—Warren Bennis
Every student has the ability to be a leader. Qualities inherent to leaders include: active listening, supporting others, the ability to act in the interest of the greater good, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and community-mindedness to name just a few. We provide a multitude of leadership opportunities so that each student may find their own way of being a leader. Listed below are a number of the formalized areas in which students may become leaders, but we also recognize that students develop their leadership skills in the classroom, in Intersession, and in their participation in athletics, arts, robotics, speech & debate, clubs, Community Meeting, and more.
Leadership Opportunities
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Admissions All-Stars
Admissions All-Stars
These student ambassadors participate in the admissions process at Visit Days, Open Houses, middle school presentations and by interviewing prospective students. -
DEI Advisory
DEI Advisory students work to make SA a more welcoming and equitable place for all, mediating town halls, bringing in guest speakers, and facilitating constructive peer to peer discussions. -
Marketing & Communications Interns
Marketing & Communications Interns
Interns gain real work experience learning about marketing and communications in support of school initiatives in social media, photography, videography, and more. -
Peer Tutors
Peer Tutors
Students who excel in particular subjects can apply to become peer tutors. Peer Tutor Coordinators match students with tutors and administor the program in conjunction with our Learning Strategist. -
Senior Mentors
Senior Mentors
Senior students work with 9th graders to bring them into the school's culture, traditions, and values -
Student Affinity Groups
Current student-led affinity groups: Asian Affinity Group, Black Student Union, Jewish Affinity Group, Latinx Affinity Group, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, and the Multiracial Multiethnic People of Color Affinity Group. -
Student Leadership Council
Student Leadership Council (SLC)
Responsible for all student-led activities and dances that happen throughout the year, the group has multiple coordinators and reps from each grade level. -
Team Captains
Team Captains
Captains represent the entire team and act as a liaison between the coaches and the team. They often help the coaches with things like warmups and cooldowns. -
Theater Arts Leadership
Theater Arts Leadership
Arts leadership includes: directing or assistant directing, stage managing, being a TA, co-teaching an Exploratory, set, costume, makeup, and lighting design, and more. -
Tri-M Music Honor Society
Tri-M is a national honor society for dedicated student musicians in 10th-12th grades. Our chapter is committed to supporting all of the arts at SA.
Sonoma Academy Is...
...the only private, independent, college preparatory high school in Sonoma County. On our beautiful campus nestled at the base of Taylor Mountain in Southeastern Santa Rosa, our students are able to explore their interests and passions in a rigorous and inspiring environment that develops a lifelong love of learning and prepares them for college and beyond.
Sonoma Academy admits students of any race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
