What might the impact of our actions, behaviors, and words be? What strategies might we employ in standing up for ourselves and others?

On Friday, January 9, Poly Prep’s Middle School students gathered for an assembly that marked both a return and a renewal: the relaunch of the division’s Upstandership program. Rooted in community, care, and courage, the program invites students to reflect not only on how they show up for themselves, but how they stand up for one another.

The Origins of Upstandship at Poly

Originally launched in 2021, in the wake of COVID-19 and amid nationwide conversations about identity, justice, and belonging, Upstandership emerged from a recognition that schools play a vital role in shaping how young people engage with, defend, and celebrate difference.

At Poly, those conversations centered on personal responsibility: how we communicate respectfully, how we build trust, and how we advocate for ourselves and others in ways that honor dignity rather than fuel conflict. The goal of upstandership is a shared commitment to care and be understanding even when perspectives differ. Respect and empathy must remain constant.

In its initial rollout, Middle School and Upper School students participated in small-group, faculty-advised sessions across campus. They engaged in role-playing scenarios designed to build empathy, confidence, and practical skills. These exercises fostered connection across grades during a period of immense social isolation. They reminded students that upstandership is not a one-time lesson, but a practice, a muscle, that grows stronger through ongoing reflection, dialogue, and community.

Upstandership Program Relaunch 

This year’s relaunch was especially meaningful for Middle School students who, because of their age group, were not a part of the original program. The program reintroduces the idea that standing up—for oneself or for others—often requires stepping beyond comfort zones and navigating real challenges such as power dynamics, fear, shame, or uncertainty. Acknowledging those barriers openly is part of the work. So, too, is learning that even in moments when speaking up feels impossible, there are strategies that can help move us from silence to action. 

In preparation for the assembly, students participated through grade-specific Advisory lessons that introduced what Upstandership means and explored developmentally appropriate themes. From awareness and kindness in Grade 5 to leadership and systems in Grade 8, the work reinforced a shared responsibility to care for one another at Poly and beyond. Students also practiced applying these concepts in real-life scenarios, for example, checking in with a classmate who was teased during class after the moment has passed (delay), offering support, and helping them connect with an adult if needed, which demonstrated that standing up can happen thoughtfully, even after the incident ends.

“Middle School is where identity, intellect, and empathy begin to intersect,” said Dean of Students Jared Winston. “Developmentally, students are at a pivotal moment as they make sense of themselves and the world around them through the choices they make, the actions they take, and the ways they help define our shared community and shape the world beyond it.”

The assembly offered Middle School deans and Winston a powerful opportunity to deliver a unified message, one that balanced empathy with urgency, around the behaviors and values Poly strives to uphold–a culture where every member of our community feels respected, supported, and valued. 

Five D’s of Upstandership

Students were introduced to the Five D’s of Upstandership: Direct, Delegate, Distract, Delay, and Document through video examples and guided reflection, helping them distinguish between being a bystander and choosing to be an upstander in real-life situations. Together, school leaders emphasized the importance of active community involvement, emphasizing that maintaining strong community standards requires engagement, accountability, and care from everyone.

The assembly concluded with a live panel featuring Middle School Senate representatives Stevie M. ’32, Rory M. ’31, Liam R.-J. ’30, Josephine ‘Jojo’ S. ’30, who spoke candidly about why upstandership can feel challenging and how courage often begins with uncertainty and underscoring that learning to stand up for oneself and others is a shared, ongoing practice.

The Upstandership program continues to affirm a core Poly value: that caring for one another, especially in difficult moments, is both a responsibility and a strength, and one we learn best together.

Looking ahead, February’s Advisory lessons will continue to shape a school culture where words and actions are guided by empathy, intention, and respect. Through focused, developmentally appropriate modules such as Allyship; Advocacy; Self-Advocacy; Defining Respect; Groupthink; and Leadership Myths, students will gain concrete language and strategies to practice standing up for themselves and others. As students grow and move through divisions, Upstandership remains a constant, an expectation that our community shows up for one another with care and accountability.