Look at them lead!

At Rise STEM Academy for Girls, leadership starts early; and sometimes, it starts with subtraction.

In Mrs. Amanda Heaton’s second-grade classroom, four young mathematicians recently took the lead, transforming from students into teachers during a math workshop on double-digit subtraction. Their task wasn’t just to solve problems, but to explain how they solved them using number lines, “friendly numbers,” and real-world reasoning to help their classmates see math as more than just numbers on a page.

The moment was simple, yet profound. It captured the heart of Rise’s mission: empowering girls to lead, innovate, and persevere through hands-on learning and collaboration.

“They’ve been working so hard on using number lines to make friendly numbers,” said Mrs. Heaton. “Seeing them step into the teacher role showed how much confidence they’ve gained. Through learning math, they were also learning what it means to lead.”

This classroom celebration highlights RISE’s culture of student agency, which is a core part of the school’s approach to STEM and project-based learning (PBL). In PBL environments, students learn by doing. Whether it’s designing solutions, leading discussions, or teaching peers, every project connects learning to life beyond the classroom.

At Rise, this approach is deeply intentional. Principal Cynthia Bruno describes the school’s purpose as “revolutionizing the face of the STEM industry by preparing girls to lead, create, and thrive.” Through collaborative classrooms like Mrs. Heaton’s, this vision comes to life by showing that leadership and innovation can start as early as second grade.

Confidence Through Collaboration

In Mrs. Heaton’s class, math is a community activity. Scholars use visual tools like number lines to build conceptual understanding, then explain their thinking aloud (a practice that strengthens both their math fluency and their communication skills).

By stepping into teaching roles, the four students modeled the “learning by leading” approach that defines Rise. Instead of passively receiving information, they demonstrated mastery by guiding peers, fielding questions, and using math vocabulary confidently.

“Look at them lead!” Mrs. Heaton wrote in her submission. And lead they did, showing joy, precision, and pride.

The Rise Approach in Action

Rise STEM Academy, Fayette County’s all-girls magnet school, blends STEM education with Project-Based Learning (PBL) to create an environment where girls build confidence in science, technology, engineering, and math (fields where women remain underrepresented).

Each lesson is designed to develop both academic and personal skills: critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Through moments like this one, Rise’s second graders begin to see themselves not only as mathematicians, but as leaders capable of teaching others and solving real-world problems.

“Rise is all about helping girls discover their voices early,” Principal Bruno shared in a recent briefing. “When they take the lead in their own learning, whether in math, robotics, or design, they begin to see themselves as innovators. That’s what changes the future of STEM.”

A Culture of Belonging and Excellence

Behind every joyful classroom at Rise is a deliberate commitment to what the school calls its Three Anchors:

• Consistency — High expectations and structured routines that help students thrive.

• Innovation — Learning through exploration, design, and problem-solving.

• Culture — A positive, inclusive environment where every girl feels seen and supported.

Mrs. Heaton’s second graders reflect all three. Their consistency in practice built the confidence to teach; their innovation turned a math lesson into a leadership opportunity; and their classroom culture gave them the courage to stand at the front of the room and share their thinking.

Small Moments, Big Impact

While the story began with a math problem, its real lesson was empowerment. In front of their classmates, four young girls saw what it feels like to lead. Their classmates, in turn, saw what leadership looks like when it’s shared.

These small but powerful moments (when a child explains her reasoning, or helps another understand) capture the essence of Rise’s impact. They remind the community that leadership doesn’t start in high school or college; it starts right here, in a Lexington elementary classroom, where girls are building the skills to change the world.

For Mrs. Heaton, the pride was clear: “It’s moments like this that make me love teaching. The girls owned their learning and taught us all something in the process.”

Stories like these show what makes Rise so special: a commitment to nurturing confident, capable young women who see themselves as problem-solvers, creators, and leaders from the very start.