WEB Leader program: Connecting Baker’s school community
- Shanda Crosby
- Dec 5, 2025
- 2 min read
BY GRC senior Karlee Gray
CCPS Student Production Team
The thought of a new school can easily make many nervous. At Baker Intermediate School, the transition has been eased by a special program: Where Everybody Belongs.
Where Everybody Belongs, known as WEB, helps students adapt to a new school setting while also easing the transition from elementary middle school.
The WEB national program was introduced to Clark County Schools as a way for incoming sixth graders to be welcomed into Clark Middle School years ago.
While originally designed for eighth grade students assisting sixth graders, Assistant Principal Renee Ware has adapted her training from the program to fit Baker.
“We were not sure at first if sixth graders could mentor fifth graders, but we decided to try it,” said Ware. “We found that it turned out to be a great fit.”
The WEB leaders have shown to be an outstanding resource for fifth grade students.
“Our biggest day is the Orientation Day, where fifth graders come into the building for the first time and get to know each other,” said Ware. “These kids are coming from four different elementary schools and might not know anyone, so the WEB leaders are there to help the kids feel comfortable right away.”
The sixth grade WEB leaders who mentor their younger peers are carefully selected through an audition process and also based on their leadership skills.
“We got a packet with instructions and lines which helped us teach a WEB activity to a group of teachers,” said sixth grade WEB leader Kennedy McCormick. “After that, we had to tell them exactly why we wanted to be a WEB leader.”
The WEB activities are taught in homeroom classes and are based around the Baker Counseling Department’s character education program. The activities also reflect the Portrait of a Learner competencies.
“The goal is to teach our kids how to be engaged citizens and empowered leaders so they can make the best decision for themselves in life,” said Ware.
The program has shown to have many benefits to not only the incoming fifth graders, but also the student mentors involved.
“The WEB leaders themselves are able to get more comfortable speaking in front of people through the program,” said Ware. “The fifth graders get mentorship and positive messages from students who have become successful at Baker.”
The positive impact WEB has had at Baker is clear for teachers and the students themselves.
“I feel like I can go in front of people and speak without being scared,” said sixth grader Charlee Frick. “I also like being able to share important information with students to help them feel more comfortable at Baker.”
