Kennedy High School
Leadership Training Institute Pathway
2025–2026 Academic Year
Leadership Training Institute
John F. Kennedy High School
Bethesda_Manrique@mcpsmd.org
(240) 740-0100 Ext.17377
Program Description
For over 30 years, Kennedy High School’s Leadership Training Institute (LTI) has empowered students through experiential, hands-on, skill-oriented learning. The program builds confidence and decision-making skills that prepare students for success in school, the workplace, and beyond. Guided by its four pillars—participation, academics, community service, and ethics—LTI keeps students engaged, curious, and ready to take meaningful action.
The program is built on four pillars:
-
Participation – engaging in school and community life while practicing leadership and facilitation skills.
-
Service – completing at least 100 hours through volunteering, community projects, or internships that connect leadership to real-world challenges and community issues.
-
Academics – maintaining a 3.0 GPA while completing rigorous, cross-disciplinary coursework in personal management, communication, critical thinking, design thinking, and other skills that strengthen leadership of self, others, situations, and all areas of life.
-
Ethics – demonstrating integrity, respect, and responsibility as role models in both school and community life.
Vision
By graduation, Kennedy High School students in the LTI will be confident, empathic, ethical, and globally minded leaders—ready to shape their future, support their families, and strengthen their communities.
Mission
At Kennedy High School, we believe every student has the potential to lead, create, and make an impact. Our Leadership Training Institute is designed to empower all youth—of every culture, language, and background—to discover their strengths, build durable skills, develop their voices, and step into the future with confidence.
What Makes the Kennedy’s LTI Unique
For All Kennedy Youth: designed to reflect and celebrate Kennedy’s diverse, multilingual, and inclusive student community
Equity-Centered: preparing leaders who uplift their communities with empathy and justice
Future-Ready: digital citizenship, entrepreneurship, workplace attitudes, and research skills
Focus on Durable Skills and Real-World Learning: projects rooted in both school and community challenges, with hands-on practice, roleplay scenarios, guided debrief, and reflection to deepen growth
Student Voice: opportunities to speak, lead, and inspire through public exhibitions and presentations
Self-Care and Well-being First: building resilience, confidence, and balance for high school and beyond
