The Road to Student Leadership:
One School’s Journey Towards Environmental Sustainability

In 2021, the American International School of Lusaka (AISL) embarked on a strategic journey toward environmental sustainability, driven by the belief that “Every Student Thrives.” This path was about more than just reducing waste or energy use; it was about embedding a culture of environmental responsibility into the core of our school and, ultimately, creating a model of student leadership that could inspire positive change within our community and beyond.

A Holistic Approach

We understood from the start that achieving meaningful change required buy-in from the entire AISL community—students, teachers, parents, administrators, and the Board. To ensure this, we conducted a SOAR analysis, a process that emphasised our Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results. It was a framework that allowed us to focus not just on what we were doing well but on what we could aspire to and how we could make those dreams a reality.

• Strengths: We recognised our school’s strengths—our innovative learning framework, state-of-the-art facilities, and passionate staff—elements we were committed to preserving.
• Opportunities: We identified external factors that could hinder progress, reframing them into possibilities for growth and innovation.
• Aspirations: What could AISL become? What did we want to be known for? These were the questions that pushed us to think big.
• Results: We established tangible, measurable outcomes to gauge when we had achieved our goals.
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This analysis, combined with data from accreditation agencies, culminated in our Overarching Impact Goal: The AISL Community is thriving because it is innovative, inclusive, and imaginative.

A Focus on the Environment

While governance, finance, and learning formed critical parts of our strategy, this article focuses on our Environmental Domain. Situated on a beautiful campus on the outskirts of Lusaka, AISL felt a deep responsibility to not only preserve this environment but to actively improve it. Our journey started with a passionate group of educators brainstorming weekly about making our campus more environmentally friendly. Ideas flowed—reducing paper and plastic usage, implementing recycling programs, utilising solar energy, and improving water management and landscaping.

The turning point came when we realised the real drivers of change would be our students.

Empowering Student Leadership

We already have many student-led initiatives at the school, such as student-led councils, service learning projects and the National Honors Society (NHS), all making a difference. So, to truly embed sustainability into our school culture, we knew that students had to take the lead. Supported by our dedicated teachers, our students took on the challenge with enthusiasm and vision. They worked tirelessly, developing a comprehensive Environmental Mission Statement that placed the school’s commitment to sustainability at the forefront of our educational values. This statement emphasises the importance of inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and global citizenship—all focused on addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges.

Our Sustainability Strategy focuses on four key areas:

• Energy: Reducing energy consumption and promoting solar power.
• Resources: Conserving materials like paper and water and reducing waste through recycling.
• Environment: Creating a healthy, supportive environment for students and staff.
• Wellness: Encouraging balanced lifestyles that contribute to academic and personal success.

The Single-Use Plastics Policy

One of the first major achievements of this student-led initiative was the development of a Single-Use Plastics Policy. Single-use plastics, such as straws, water bottles, and utensils, are notorious for their environmental harm. They pollute ecosystems, harm wildlife, and take centuries to decompose. Through this policy, AISL committed to reducing and eventually eliminating single-use plastics on campus. This initiative aligned perfectly with the school’s social responsibility and environmental stewardship values, sending a powerful message that small, collective actions can have a big impact.

In September 2024, the AISL Board proudly passed this student-led policy. This milestone, coupled with the installation of solar panels on all school buildings, represents a significant leap forward in our sustainability journey.

Looking Ahead

While we are proud of the progress made, this is only the beginning. AISL remains committed to continuing our journey toward environmental sustainability, driven by the belief that empowered students will lead the way. As Zambia celebrates 60 years of independence, we are excited about the potential for our school’s approach to sustainability to contribute positively to the wider community.

By fostering leadership in sustainability, AISL is not only shaping the future for its students but also modelling the kind of change we hope to see in the world. Together, we believe that Every Student Thrives—and through this shared commitment to sustainability, so can our planet.

Dr. Oli Tooher-Hancock,

Director

The American International School of Lusaka.