Ellington High School

At Ellington High School, we believe that academic success begins with a strong sense of identity and connection. When students feel like they belong—when they know they are seen, valued, and supported—they engage more fully in school life and are better positioned to succeed.

Our Culture & Climate Leadership Team is a high-level committee of educators and student voice partners dedicated to shaping a positive, inclusive, and connected school environment for every Knight. This team leads the work that defines and strengthens what it means to be a Knight—from school traditions and celebrations to the daily practices that foster belonging, pride, and community.

The impact of this work is reflected in our most recent student climate survey:

• 85% of students report feeling part of the EHS community
   
• 96% say they have at least one trusted adult at school
   

These are not just feel-good statistics—they are meaningful indicators of student engagement, resilience, and long-term success.

Through thoughtful planning, collaboration, and continuous reflection, the Culture & Climate Leadership Team ensures that Ellington High School is not just a place where students learn, but a community where they are known, supported, and empowered to thrive—both inside the classroom and beyond.

Link Crew is a high school transition program designed to build relationships between incoming freshmen and a selected group of upperclassmen within Ellington High School. Link crew focuses on creating a positive and comfortable environment throughout the school while promoting student leadership. As leaders, upperclassmen will mentor incoming freshmen while guiding them through a successful transition. This process begins during freshman orientation and continuously develops throughout the school year through a variety of events and opportunities for freshmen and their student leaders to reconnect.

The EHS Unified Leadership Committee (ULC) is a group of students who organize the annual U-Knighted Week held in February, which begins with a school-wide kick-off assembly and culminates with a pep rally. The objective is to develop honorable individuals who are respectful, responsible, confident, and ethical by promoting acceptance among the student body through the use of self-reflection, open-mindedness, and integrity. The ULC strives to create EHS as a prejudice-free zone by promoting the student-developed U-Knighted Pledge that includes the statement, “I will make a conscious effort to be aware of my own biases against people who are different from me.”

• EHS Safe School Climate Plan

The Student Ambassador Program is a leadership opportunity for students who are passionate about shaping and representing the culture of Ellington High School within our building and beyond it.

Student Ambassadors play a central role in promoting “What it means to be a Knight” by actively contributing to a positive, inclusive, and spirited school climate. Through visible leadership, collaboration, and service, ambassadors help strengthen pride, connection, and belonging across the EHS community.

What Do Student Ambassadors Do?

Student Ambassadors take on meaningful responsibilities that directly impact school culture, including:

• Overseeing and supporting the Honor Flag Ceremony, a visible symbol of our school values and shared identity
   
• Promoting and enhancing school spirit initiatives, including the school store, pep rallies, and roundtable activities
   
• Leading and participating in school beautification and branding projects that reflect pride in our campus and community
   
• Representing Ellington High School in the broader community, including visits to other schools, conferences, and events where ambassadors share our work and learn from others
   

Through these experiences, students serve as ambassadors not only for EHS, but for the values and expectations that define our school community.

Leadership Beyond the Building

Student Ambassadors are selected to represent Ellington High School in settings beyond our campus by working alongside educators and students from other schools, engaging in leadership conversations, and bringing back ideas to strengthen our own culture and climate.

Recognition & Graduation Honor

Students who successfully complete the Student Ambassador responsibilities will receive an Ambassador Stole upon graduation, recognizing their leadership, service, and lasting contribution to the EHS community.

How Are Students Selected?

• Students must apply to be considered
   
• Ambassadors are selected by the Culture and Climate Lead Teachers
   
• Selection is based on leadership potential, commitment, and alignment with our school values
   

The Student Ambassador Program is an opportunity for students to lead with purpose, represent their community with pride, and leave a meaningful mark on Ellington High School.