Leaders aren’t born, they are made. That is the ethos behind The Archer School for Girls, an independent college preparatory school in Los Angeles. Founded in 1995 as the brainchild of three women—each a proud graduate of a girls’ school—the academy is guided by the principles of innovation, community and diversity. Sprawled across 2.8 hectares with a student population of 500 and an excellent academic track record, The Archer School for Girls has been led by Elizabeth English since 2008. Having been a part of independent and public schools across the US for over 25 years, English is a passionate advocate for research-based education and building an ethical school culture. Here, she tells us more about female empowerment, self-regulation and what makes life as a student at Archer an experience like no other.
How has The Archer School for Girls evolved since its founding in 1995?
Archer had only been around for 12 years when I became Head of School in 2008. It was one of the youngest schools in Los Angeles, which I recognised as a challenge and an asset. People equate heritage with value, but I saw the school’s newness as an advantage in terms of innovation and culture. Archer’s young age, alongside its commitment to research-based education, enabled us to become early adopters of educational technology, research-based pedagogy, and a future-facing engineering and computer science programme.
“I believe in excellence, but I also believe that schools should be happy places, and that has proven to be a powerful combination”
What is it like to be a part of the Archer family?
Everyone who joins the Archer community believes in the power of women and sees an urgent need to have more women at decision-making tables. Our core values of empathy, integrity and responsibility draw people who want a culture that is kind and where student well-being and character are as important as achievement. I believe in excellence, but I also believe that schools should be happy places, and that has proven to be a powerful combination.
What challenges do you embrace at Archer?
I embrace the challenge of being a feminist institution at a time when women’s rights are being eroded. Our mission of empowering young women has never been more important. Teaching young women to speak up, seek positions of leadership and reject the gender bias they will invariably encounter is important work.
What opportunities are given to promote empowerment and establish confidence in students?
Students learn to lead by leading, so we make sure that there is an abundance of opportunities, from choreographing a huge dance show to coaching younger students in engineering and robotics. With the rise of social media, reality TV and extreme politics exposing our children to behaviour that is often uncivil and cruel, we have a human development curriculum that focuses on self-esteem and mindfulness, so they not only understand the source of their impulses but have the capacity to regulate their emotions appropriately.
“Everyone who joins the Archer community believes in the power of women and sees an urgent need to have more women at decision-making tables”
How does Archer’s education system keep up with the fast-changing world?
We launched Archer Anywhere, a personalised online programme which allows students around the world to benefit from our excellent education and enables our students to travel. It serves a diverse range of students, from actors and athletes to entrepreneurs, military students and advanced learners. All the instructors are skilled Archer teachers who receive additional training to ensure that the quality of Archer Anywhere meets expectations, and they get to know their students like they are in their physical classroom. Students also get access to Archer’s college and career counselling services, which help students identify universities that best serve their needs and future goals.
What are some of the best lessons that you have learnt from your students?
We endeavour to teach our students to be brave, to stand up for their beliefs and to take risks. I see our graduates doing exactly that. Archer grads are being nominated for Oscars and Grammys, engineering spaceships, starting businesses and sitting in C-suites. When I am faced with difficult challenges as Head of School, I think about these young women who are putting Archer’s mission into practice and I am inspired.
Discover more about The Archer School for Girls at archer.org and archer.org/archeranywhere.
