Registration is now open for a new leadership development program for Carlsbad students. The free program is a joint collaboration by the City of Carlsbad, The YouSchool, the Servant Leadership Institute, Carlsbad Unified School District and local high school staff. The Carlsbad Student Leader Academy will provide program guides and classes to address issues affecting local youth and further developing emerging youth leaders through civic education and community projects. Carlsbad residents in grades ninth through 12th attending any high school can apply online for the inaugural session of the academy. Applications are due by August 1, and there is no cost to apply or participate in the program. The 10-week academy will be held once a week for two hours in the evening. The program will be offered three times a year with a maximum of 30 students a session; the first session is anticipated to begin September 12. “The goal is to help emerging youth leaders consider their paths for the future and discover more about themselves and the gifts they have to offer the Carlsbad community,” said Debbie Fountain, the City of Carlsbad’s Housing & Neighborhood Services director. “We hope to have high school students from throughout the city collaborate and grow together by learning about themselves, how to lead and how to best serve their community.” Residents selected for the inaugural session of the Carlsbad Student Leader Academy will be notified by August 19. Applications, participant guidelines and more information is available here.