7 Steps to Building a Student-Led School Culture
Student-Led is the future.
That is, if you want a school culture that is impactful and drives engagement. Students need to be the drivers of their lives with your guidance. Not your rules.
Authentically engaging students can’t be faked. Students will instantly be aware and disengage. If student-led programming isn’t authentic, your efforts are going to be a waste of time.
Building a youth leadership program that fosters a student-led school culture requires those that have been in the field to let go of some pre-conceived notions about structure and ownership.
If you want student-led, it’s got to be real and a little raw.
Here is how we look at building a student led program.
Step 1: Assess the Current School Culture
Talk to the students more than any other stakeholder group. Yes, teachers matter. They will give you some historical context. This is valuable. No doubt. But seek out a large diverse portion of the student body. Go after all groups. Even the ones that outwardly show a dislike of school spirit.
This effort will help you recruit the needed students and to build a diverse group of the student body.
Here are a few technical things to consider to get this stage done.
Conduct surveys and focus groups with students, teachers, and staff to understand the existing school culture and identify areas for improvement.
Analyze the feedback to determine the gaps and opportunities for developing a peer leadership program.
Step 2: Define Goals and Objectives
Simple, light, and quickly changeable. That should be the structure of any goals and objectives.
Most student leadership teams we know (well, even adult leadership teams) shoot for the impossible and then feel defeated when little comes to show for their efforts.
Design simple and short term goals.
Yes, have a larger mission you are trying to accomplish for sure. But, you risk losing steam and engagement if things become too lofty.
If you need some guidance, check these ideas out.
Set clear, measurable goals for the youth leadership program. These could include developing communication skills, enhancing decision-making abilities, and fostering a positive school culture.
Establish specific objectives that align with the overall mission and vision of the school.
Ensure that the goals and objectives are communicated clearly to all stakeholders.
Step 3: Develop the Program Framework
If you don’t know what your end goal is before you begin, knowing you are on the right track will be difficult to know. Consider the following.
Create a comprehensive framework for the program, outlining the structure, key components, and timeline.
Include elements such as leadership workshops, peer mentoring, community service projects, and team-building activities.
Ensure the framework is flexible enough to adapt to the unique needs and characteristics of the student body.
Step 4: Engage Stakeholders
Parents and community members are just as important as the students themselves when it comes to making teen leadership programs successful. Let’s be honest, if you don’t have a wider support network as you grow, when the first great challenge comes, the program is at risk of ending. It could be financial reasons or belief reasons. Yet, the more of the community is involved and aware of the efforts, the better.
Check out these processes and procedures.
Involve students, teachers, parents, and community members in the planning and implementation process.
Establish a leadership committee comprising representatives from each stakeholder group to provide input and support.
Communicate regularly with all stakeholders to ensure transparency and buy-in.
Step 5: Implement Training and Development Activities
A great program can be created in-house. If you have the time and energy, it is possible. Yet imagine a one or two day workshop that focuses on the brand of your school, the student team, and the mission at large. This type of experience injects precious energy into the program. It’s infectious.
When we work with leadership team managers (often the staff), there is always a request for leadership consultation. The staff need support. They are looking for fresh ideas. They want coaching to be sure they are doing things right.
Don’t be afraid to reach out for support from those that have been in this field for years. They can help redirect a program towards success after one or two calls/visits.
Here are some ideas to consider if you or your leadership team get stuck.
Organize leadership workshops and training sessions that cover essential skills such as communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and team collaboration.
Provide opportunities for students to practice these skills through real-life scenarios and projects.
Offer personalized coaching and mentoring to help students develop their leadership potential.
Step 6: Create Opportunities for Student Leadership
Let the students lead.
This means let them create and choose their opportunities.
That is the action item here.
Let them create. Let them choose.
This is what breeds ownership. If you want students to be more engaged, your job is to use the power of invitation.
Invite them in. Invite them to build their life. Invite them to execute your strengths.
Step 7: Monitor and Evaluate the Program
One piece of data matters here. What do students feel?
However, like more things in life, adults want numbers. If that is your reality, consider the following.
Set up a system for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the program's effectiveness.
Collect feedback from students, teachers, and other stakeholders to assess the impact of the program on school culture and student development.
Use the feedback to make continuous improvements to the program and address any challenges or issues that arise.
Schools can create a robust youth leadership program that empowers students to take an active role in shaping their school culture. This process not only develops essential leadership skills but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among students, leading to a more engaged and motivated school community.
