Integration of Strategic Leadership, World Class Education-Based Management, and Educational Innovation at Little Heroes Education Cikarang

Abstract

This study analyzes the integration of strategic leadership, World Class Education (WCE)-based management, and educational innovation at Little Heroes Education Cikarang, synthesizing three mini-researches on institutional management, curriculum development, and educational transformation at the same locus. A descriptive qualitative approach with a quick case study design was used, drawing on environmental observation, semi-structured interviews with managers, educators, and parents, and review of institutional, curriculum, assessment, supervision, and facility documents. Data were analyzed through condensation, thematic presentation, cross-source comparison, and verification. Findings show that strategic leadership directs vision and drives educator motivation, WCE-based management encompasses program planning, child-friendly services, human resource development, authentic assessment, and family partnerships, while innovation is realized through curriculum mapping, play-based learning, adaptive bilingualism, simple 4Cs and STEAM activities, proportional technology use, and character-religious strengthening. Together, these dimensions form a cycle of strategic direction, quality systems, innovative practice, evaluation, and feedback. Further strengthening is needed in performance indicators, supervision documentation, appreciation and career systems, portfolio standardization, and longitudinal child development data. The study's novelty lies in the WCE-Based Integrative Model of Leadership–Management–Innovation, which positions educator motivation and children's learning experience quality as joint organizational outcomes.