student council essay ideas high school

15 Student Council Ideas To Improve Your School

Student councils are a great way for students to get involved in making positive changes at their school. As a student leader, coming up with fresh ideas to improve student life can be challenging. This comprehensive guide outlines 15 actionable student council ideas you can propose to make your school better.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Host fun events, improve recycling, suggest healthier lunches, start student-teacher sports teams, and create new clubs and extracurricular activities .

In this 2000 word guide, we will provide detailed examples and step-by-step instructions to help your student council brainstorm ideas, get administration approval, and successfully execute projects to enhance school spirit, academics, sustainability, activities, and more.

Ideas to Boost School Spirit and Community

Creating a vibrant and positive school environment is essential for fostering a sense of community and boosting school spirit. Here are some innovative ideas to help improve school spirit and bring students, teachers, and staff closer together.

Host School Dances and Events

One of the most effective ways to boost school spirit is by hosting fun and engaging events like school dances . These events provide students with an opportunity to socialize and have a great time with their peers.

Additionally, organizing themed events such as costume parties or talent shows can add an extra element of excitement. Encouraging student involvement in planning and executing these events can also foster a sense of ownership and pride in the school community.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by My School Dance (@myschooldance)

Organize School Pep Rallies

Pep rallies are a fantastic way to generate enthusiasm and support for the school’s sports teams. Organizing pep rallies before important games can help create a sense of unity and pride among students.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Pep Rally Takeover (@peprallytakeover)

These events can include cheerleading performances, team introductions, and even friendly competitions or games. By involving the entire student body, pep rallies can create a contagious energy that will carry over to the games and support the school’s athletes.

Decorate for Holidays and School Events

Decorating the school for holidays and special events can instantly uplift the spirits of students and staff. Whether it’s Halloween, Christmas, or even Homecoming, incorporating festive decorations throughout the school can create a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere.

Encouraging student participation in decorating committees can foster a sense of belonging and pride in the school community.

Plan Teacher Appreciation Activities

Recognizing and appreciating the hard work of teachers is crucial for maintaining a positive and supportive school environment. Planning teacher appreciation activities throughout the year can help boost morale and make teachers feel valued.

Ideas include organizing surprise breakfasts, creating handmade cards or gifts , or hosting special events to honor teachers for their dedication and commitment to education.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Boys & Gender neutral decor and accessories ♡ (@happyboysco)

Implementing these ideas can significantly enhance school spirit and community engagement. By creating an environment that fosters a sense of belonging and pride, students will feel more connected to their school and be motivated to contribute positively to its growth and success.

Ideas to Support Academics and Learning

Start tutoring and mentorship programs.

One great idea to support academics and learning is to start tutoring and mentorship programs . These programs can match older or more experienced students with younger or struggling students who need extra help.

Tutoring and mentorship programs provide a valuable opportunity for students to learn from each other and build strong relationships. Research has shown that peer tutoring can significantly improve academic performance and boost confidence levels.

According to a study from the Journal of Advances in Medical Education & Professionalism , schools that implement tutoring and mentorship programs see a significant increase in academic performance among students.

By implementing such programs, schools can create a supportive and collaborative learning environment.

Create Study Groups and Resources

Another idea to support academics and learning is to create study groups and resources . Study groups allow students to come together and study collaboratively , sharing their knowledge and helping each other understand difficult concepts.

These groups can be facilitated by teachers or organized by students themselves. Additionally, schools can create resources such as study guides, online forums, or websites where students can access helpful materials and engage in discussions.

Research has shown that students who participate in study groups have a better understanding of the material and perform better on exams. They also develop important skills such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. 

Providing these resources encourages independent learning and fosters a sense of community among students.

Organize Academic Competitions

Organizing academic competitions is a fun and engaging way to support academics and learning. These competitions can cover various subjects and topics, allowing students to showcase their knowledge and skills.

Academic competitions not only encourage healthy competition but also motivate students to strive for excellence in their studies. They can also help identify talented individuals who may have a future in specific fields.

A paper from the journal  Gifted Child Today reported that academic competitions enhance students’ cognitive abilities and foster a passion for learning. They also provide opportunities for students to develop important life skills such as problem-solving and time management.

Schools can collaborate with other institutions or even host their own competitions to promote academic achievement.

Advocate for Curriculum Improvements

One of the most impactful ways to support academics and learning is to advocate for curriculum improvements . This involves working with teachers, administrators, and educational policymakers to ensure that the curriculum is up-to-date, relevant, and comprehensive.

Schools can conduct surveys or gather feedback from students to identify areas that need improvement and propose changes accordingly. By advocating for curriculum improvements, schools can provide students with a more engaging and enriching learning experience.

Advocating for curriculum improvements can lead to higher student engagement, increased motivation, and improved overall educational outcomes. A study published in Medical Education Online found that students who have access to a well-designed curriculum are more likely to succeed academically.

Ideas to Make the Campus More Eco-Friendly

Creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly campus is not only beneficial for the environment, but it also helps to create a healthier and more enjoyable learning environment for students. Here are some ideas that student councils can implement to make their campus more eco-friendly:

1. Improve Recycling and Composting

One of the most effective ways to make a campus eco-friendly is to improve recycling and composting programs . Student councils can work with the school administration to set up designated recycling bins throughout the campus and educate students on the importance of recycling.

They can also encourage the use of composting bins for food waste, which can then be used as fertilizer for a community garden or donated to local farms.

2. Organize Campus Cleanups

Campus cleanups are a great way to not only beautify the campus but also raise awareness about the importance of keeping the environment clean . Student councils can organize regular cleanup events where students, teachers, and staff come together to pick up litter and maintain the cleanliness of the campus .

These events can also be used as an opportunity to educate participants about proper waste disposal and the impact of litter on the environment.

3. Start a Community Garden

Starting a community garden on campus is an excellent way to promote sustainability and teach students about the importance of growing their own food. Student councils can allocate a section of the campus for the garden and organize gardening workshops for interested students.

The produce from the garden can be used in the school cafeteria or donated to local food banks, fostering a sense of community and reducing waste.

4. Advocate for Sustainable Practices

Student councils can play a vital role in advocating for sustainable practices within the school community. They can collaborate with the administration to implement energy-saving initiatives such as installing LED lights, promoting the use of natural lighting, and encouraging the use of energy-efficient appliances.

Additionally, student councils can organize awareness campaigns and workshops to educate students about the importance of conserving energy and reducing their carbon footprint.

By implementing these ideas, student councils can make a significant impact on their campus and inspire others to embrace eco-friendly practices. Remember, small changes can lead to big results when it comes to creating a greener and more sustainable future.

Ideas to Improve Student Health and Wellness

Student health and wellness are vital for creating a positive and productive learning environment. Here are some innovative ideas that can help improve the well-being of students:

Offer Healthier Menu Options

One effective way to promote student health is by offering healthier menu options in the school cafeteria . Incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can provide students with the nutrients they need to stay energized throughout the day.

By partnering with local farmers or food suppliers, schools can ensure that these options are affordable and readily available. Encouraging students to make healthy choices will not only benefit their physical health but also their academic performance.

Host Wellness Fairs and Events

Wellness fairs and events are a fantastic way to engage students in activities that promote their overall well-being. These events can include interactive booths on topics such as nutrition, mental health, exercise, and stress management.

By involving local health professionals and organizations, schools can provide students with valuable resources and educational materials. Additionally, hosting wellness challenges or competitions can foster a sense of community and encourage students to prioritize their health.

Start Intramural Sports Teams

Participating in sports not only improves physical fitness but also enhances teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills. By starting intramural sports teams , schools can provide opportunities for students to engage in friendly competition and stay active.

These teams can be inclusive, allowing students of all skill levels to participate and enjoy the benefits of physical activity. Creating a positive sports culture within the school can also boost school spirit and foster a sense of belonging among students.

Create Stress Relief Activities

High levels of stress can negatively impact student well-being and academic performance . It is important for schools to provide stress relief activities that can help students manage their stress effectively.

This can include implementing mindfulness sessions, organizing yoga or meditation classes, or providing access to stress relief resources such as relaxation apps or counseling services. By prioritizing stress management, schools can create a supportive environment where students can thrive both academically and mentally.

Implementing these ideas can greatly contribute to improving student health and wellness. By prioritizing healthy eating, hosting wellness fairs, starting intramural sports teams, and providing stress relief activities, schools can create an environment where students can flourish both physically and mentally.

Remember, a healthy student is a happy student!

Ideas to Expand Extracurriculars and Clubs

Extracurricular activities and clubs play a vital role in a student’s overall development. They provide opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop new skills, and build lasting friendships . Here are some innovative ideas to expand extracurriculars and clubs in your school:

Start New Clubs Based on Student Interests

One way to foster student engagement is by starting new clubs based on their interests . Encourage students to propose ideas for clubs they would like to see in the school. This could range from a robotics club, a debate club, or even a cooking club.

By allowing students to take the lead in forming these clubs, you are promoting a sense of ownership and ensuring that the clubs align with their passions.

Organize Club Fairs to Promote Involvement

To create awareness and generate excitement about the various clubs available, organizing a club fair can be a great idea . This event can showcase the different clubs, their activities, and achievements .

Students can interact with club members, learn about their experiences, and sign up for clubs that interest them. Encourage clubs to set up engaging displays and demonstrations to attract students and pique their curiosity.

Fundraise for Arts, Music, and Sports

Arts, music, and sports are essential aspects of a well-rounded education. However, funding for these programs can sometimes be limited. The student council can take the initiative to organize fundraisers specifically for these areas.

Whether it’s a talent show, a concert, or a sports tournament, these events not only raise funds but also create a sense of community and school spirit. The funds raised can be used to enhance equipment, provide scholarships, or support students’ participation in competitions.

Create Leadership and Mentorship Programs

Leadership and mentorship programs are valuable opportunities for students to develop their skills and give back to the school community. The student council can work with teachers and administrators to establish programs that pair experienced students with younger ones.

These mentors can provide guidance, support, and advice, helping younger students navigate their academic and extracurricular journey. Additionally, leadership programs can be designed to train students in organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, empowering them to take on leadership roles within clubs and other student-led initiatives.

Implementing even a few of these student council ideas can lead to big improvements in school culture and student life. Get creative in thinking about what your student body needs. Survey students for feedback and present well-researched proposals to administration.

With passion and thoughtful planning, your student council can spearhead positive change and make your time in high school more fulfilling and memorable.

Maria Sanchez is the founder of the Save Our Schools March blog. As a former teacher and parent, she is passionate about equitable access to quality public education. Maria created the blog to build awareness around education issues and solutions after organizing a local march for public schools.

With a Master's in Education, Maria taught high school English before leaving her career to raise a family. As a parent, she became concerned about underfunded schools and over-testing. These experiences drove Maria to become an education advocate.

On the blog, Maria provides resources and policy insights from the dual perspective of an informed parent and former teacher. She aims to inspire others to join the movement for quality, equitable public education. Maria lives with her family in [city, state].

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to join your high school's student council.

Extracurriculars

Thinking about joining student council? You should be! It's a great way to make friends and gain leadership experience, especially if you're interested in politics. However, it can also require a significant time commitment.

What is student council and what duties will you have as a member? How do you join? Should you join? I'll answer these questions and more below! 

What Is Student Council?

Student Council, sometimes called Student Government, is the elected governing body at your high school. The group is composed entirely of students; often they have a faculty adviser. 

Typically (though this may vary slightly by high school/region), each grade level has its own grade-level council (i.e. freshman student council, sophomore student council, junior student council, and senior student council). Usually, each grade-level council has their own faculty adviser. The grade-level councils typically plan and execute grade level specific programs (such as creating a class t-shirt, organizing a class fundraiser, planning the class float for the Homecoming parade, etc.).

Additionally, there is usually a school-wide student government  that plans and executes programs for the entire school (such as Homecoming Week or a school-wide fundraiser). The school-wide council typically has its own faculty adviser but still gets assistance with its events from the grade-level councils.

Think of the individual grades as individual states with their own governments, but they all fall under one country (school) and one federal government (the school-wide student council).  I’ve created the chart below as a visual reference of this hierarchy. Additionally, I’ve listed the typical positions available on each council. 

What Do Student Council Members Do? 

In this section, I’ll discuss the general responsibilities of all members. I'll then go on to discuss the duties of specific officers (President vs. Secretary, etc.).

Duties for All Members

All student government members are responsible for attending meetings (usually weekly, though the specifics will vary from school to school). If you’re on a grade-level council, you’ll likely have meetings both with your grade-level council and the school-wide council. These weekly meetings include all members of the council as well as the faculty adviser. At these weekly meetings, members brainstorm events they'd like to plan and divvy up the tasks.  Occasionally (typically once or twice each school year), the grade-level student councils will hold an open meeting to allow their classmates to come and voice their concerns or suggest ideas. 

As I said above, members of the grade-level councils are responsible for planning and executing grade-level specific programs   (such as creating  a class t-shirt or organizing Junior Prom).  Members of the school-wide council plan and execute programs for the entire school (such as Homecoming Week or a school-wide fundraiser).

In addition, members of grade-specific councils are responsible for assisting the school-wide council in planning and running major school-wide events such as the Homecoming parade, Homecoming dance, and pep rallies.

Typically, senior student government members have an obligation after graduating from high school:  planning your high school reunions.

What Are the Position Specific Duties?

I’ll go down the hierarchy. The duties of each position remain the same whether it’s for the freshman council or school-wide council. As I said above, every member is responsible for attending meetings and helping make school events happen. The duties listed below are the additional  duties for each position.

President:  Responsible for planning and running meetings (i.e. creating meeting itineraries, facilitating discussions), delegating tasks (i.e. deciding who on the council will be in charge of finding someone to design the class t-shirt, who will be responsible for finding a company to print the t-shirt), and for holding people accountable (i.e. making sure people complete their assigned tasks).

1st / 2nd Vice President:  Responsible for assisting the president (i.e. running meetings in their absence, making sure people are completing assigned tasks, etc.)

Secretary:  Responsible for taking notes at all meetings and emailing those notes to all council members.

Treasurer:  Responsible for budgeting and managing money (i.e. collecting money when selling tickets for Homecoming, depositing that money into the proper account, keeping records).

How Can You Join Student Council?

To be in student government, you need to be elected.  Elections for freshman student council typically happen at the beginning of the school year, in the fall. Elections for sophomore, junior, senior, and school-wide student councils typically happen near the end of the school year before summer vacation. You usually have to sign up to run. Make sure to talk to the front office at your school and ask how to sign up to run for student government.

If you’re trying to run for a position for the first time (i.e. you’ve never held a position on student council at your high school before, whether as a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior), I recommend first trying to run for what are considered smaller positions: treasurer or secretary.  There is usually less competition for these positions, which will make it more likely that you’ll be elected. Additionally, while these positions are considered smaller, you have the same responsibility as the president or VP, to help plan and execute great events.

If you hope to be class president someday, you can prove yourself in a smaller position and then run for bigger positions in future elections.  I started as my freshman treasurer, then became sophomore VP, then junior class president, and I became Student Government President my senior year. No matter what position you run for, how you campaign is important. You only need one tip to win your campaign...

The Most Important Campaign Tip: Make Sure People Know (and Trust) You!

Plain and simple, you will not win your campaign if only ten people know who you are. You will also likely not win if your entire grade knows you, but only as the person failing all of your classes or the person who doesn’t take anything seriously (aka class clown). To win the campaign, you need to make sure people know you and trust you. 

How do you get people to know you?  If your school allows it, make posters, stickers, pencils, etc. with your name on it.  The size of the posters doesn’t matter, but the quantity does. It’s better to print 50 posters on printer paper than to make 10 on fancy posterboard. You want people to see your name so that they can talk to their friends about you and try to figure out who you are before election day.

Next, start to develop your campaign platform or main focus. Why do you want to be on student council? Do you want to improve school dances? Do you want to have a wider variety of school lunch options? Create a class field trip? Start a fundraiser? Having a focused platform will help you seem trustworthy and will help you stay motivated. 

Now you have to spread your message. During your lunch period, you should not be sitting down; instead, walk around the cafeteria or campus. Introduce yourself! Hand out pencils and stickers.  Talking to people is your best weapon.   Tell them about yourself and why you want to be part of student government. Ask them what events they’d like to see planned this year or what ideas they have. However, you don't want to annoy other students (if you do, you definitely won't get elected), so try to cap yourself at 2-3 minutes of chatting, and then move on to another group. 

How do you get people to trust you?  This is a more difficult task. Talking to people and asking about their ideas will help build some trust. To continue to build trust, you need to show your competence in the classroom. Make sure you’re known as the person who does all of their homework, gets good grades, engages in class discussions, etc. Don’t be known as the person who is always late to class or on their cell phone.

How to Ace Your Campaign Speech

Some schools allow campaign speeches (mine didn't!). Speeches provide you with another opportunity to show that you're trustworthy. Here are my bullet points for a good campaign speech: 

• Introduce yourself (It may seem obvious, but it will help students who may not know you).
• “Hi, I’m John Doe, and I’m running for sophomore class secretary.”
• Say why you want to be on student council  and why you’re qualified. Your qualifications will be  a combination of personal characteristics and past experiences and successes.
• “I'm an excellent note-taker. I served as drama club secretary.”
• State your campaign platform or main focus .
• “I want to plan a class trip to Disney.”
• Explain how you plan to accomplish your goals.
• “I will raise the money for the class trip by hosting a school-wide hot dog eating contest.”
• End with your name  (again, it'll help students who may not know you).
• “Remember, vote for John Doe for s ophomore class secretary .”  

These should be the main points you hit, but also, try to inject some humor into your speech to make it more entertaining.  Your speech should NOT be too long (I’d recommend 2-3 minutes maximum).  Make it brief or you’ll lose your audience.

What Are the Benefits of Joining Student Council?

By joining the student government, you’re able to influence your high school.  You can start new events and fundraisers. For example, as student government president, I started a donation drive to collect used prom dresses for a non-profit called Becca’s Closet .  If there are things that bother you about your school that you'd like to improve, student council gives you an opportunity to do so.  If you hated the Homecoming dance last year, you could plan a better event. Instead of having the Homecoming dance in your gym, you can move it to a hotel ballroom. If you dislike school lunches, you can try to change the menu. 

Student government also gives you a great leadership experience to discuss on your college application.  Colleges like to see leadership experience and involvement on your resume. It shows that you can get involved in your school and improve things, which makes colleges think that hopefully you would do the same at their school.

Be aware that there are potential drawbacks to joining student council.  You might get blamed or criticized if people don’t enjoy your events. Nothing is worse than the class t-shirt. Someone is always unhappy and doesn’t like the design.  

Should You Join Student Council?

If you’re truly interested in planning school events and organizing fundraisers, then YES!  If you’re just looking for another activity on your resume, then NO!  Colleges aren’t looking for students with a laundry list of activities on their resume. Colleges are looking for students who do one thing and who do it VERY well. For more on this, read our article, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, by a Harvard Alum.

If you love the idea of improving your school, then make student council your main extracurricular . Don’t be a mediocre student government member! To be an effective member of student council, make sure you have the time to commit to it. You'll want to have at least five hours per week to dedicate to student council. Plan on one hour for meetings and four hours for event planning or executing events. Be on time to meetings and events. Show up to meetings with ideas for events. Take charge of event planning. Try to plan the best events your school has ever had. Plan new amazing fundraisers! Try to make real positive changes at your school!

What’s Next?

Interested in learning about other great extracurricular opportunities? Learn more about job shadowing , community service , and volunteer abroad programs.

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How to Write a Student Council Speech

Last Updated: January 17, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 125 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,007,162 times.

Being a member of the student council can help you help your school. However, it takes hard work to get into the student council . You need to craft a good speech that gives your classmates incentives to vote for you.

Sample Speeches

Writing the Introduction

• Do not merely start by saying, "My name is ___ and I'm running for student council." Your classmates will already know as much and this is not really a unique statement. There will be time to state the basic information after you've got the class's attention. [1] X Research source
• You can open with a question. Something like, "If there was one thing you could change about this school, what would it be?" Or a question that adds some humor , like, "I know what you're thinking. Why should I listen to this person?" and then proceed to lay out your credentials. Quotes on leadership, power, and guidance would also make good openings. However, make sure to double-check your sources and especially if you're finding quotes online. Many online quote databases, like Quote Garden or Brainy Quote, sometimes attribute quotes to the wrong sources. [2] X Research source
• If you're stuck, look up and read famous speeches. You can find many speeches from presidents, world leaders, civil rights activists, and others online. Pay attention to how they opened their speeches and ask yourself, "Was this interesting? Do I want to keep reading/listening? Why?" [3] X Research source

• State your name and grade in school. This may feel somewhat unnecessary if you go to a small school, but it's considered a formality. If you're missing this part of the speech, you may end up looking sloppy in comparison to other students. [5] X Research source
• State what you want. That is, what you're running for. Do you want to be the president , vice president , treasurer, secretary? Even if you think most students are aware of what position you're running for, make sure you state it here to remind them. [6] X Research source
• Try to keep this section brief as it's not as important as your qualifications and plans to improve the school . Even one sentence would suffice. For example, "My name is Ramona Hart, I'm in the 11th grade, and I'm running for treasurer of the student council."

• Any accomplishments relevant to the position warrant mentioning here. If you're running for secretary, for example, talk about your summer job filing papers in your uncle's law firm. If you're running for student council president, talk about your leadership experience being captain of the swim team. [7] X Research source
• While this section is important, try to keep it minimal. A couple of sentences laying out your qualifications is enough as the body of your speech is where you should spend the most time. For example, let's go back to the above example. From there, we could say, "I am currently enrolled in advanced placement algebra and I have been an honor roll student for three years. This knowledge of numbers and diligence qualifies me to have responsibility for finances for our student council." [8] X Research source

Writing the Body of the Speech

• You should list your ideas and then expand on them later in the body. It might take a bit of research to figure out what you want to change. Ask around the school, talking to students and teachers, and see where there's room for improvement. What are the concerns of the students? What are people happy with regarding the school? What would they like to see change? Asking these questions can help you get a sense of your audience and community.
• Remember, you should not make promises you cannot keep. Do not say anything just to get elected. While many students might want gum-chewing policies eliminated or for the lunch period to run twice as long, this is probably not necessary or possible. Try to focus on areas that seem important to keep your school running safely and efficiently. Concerns about things like bullying , academic standards, and extracurricular activities should be your concern over fun and games. [10] X Research source
• A good opening statement for your body would state the causes important to you and what you plan to do about them. For example, if you were running for president, you could say something like, "I understand we need to improve how we handle bullying, increase interest in extracurricular activities, and expand access to AP courses throughout the school. As your president, I would work to bring in speakers to talk about sensitivity in the classroom, increase advertising for basketball games and quiz bowl tournaments, and start a tutoring program to help students struggling with certain subjects." [11] X Research source

• Using the school library or computers, figure out the best means to tackle certain problems many schools face. How have other schools dealt with bullying? Poor test scores? Low interest in extracurricular activities? What can you reasonably do as a student council member to address these problems? [12] X Research source
• You do not have to have a point-by-point plan laid out, but a few sentences on some preliminary ideas can help you stand out from your peers. People are more inclined to vote for someone who's thought about how to solve problems in addition to identifying problems. [13] X Research source

Ending with a Strong Conclusion

• Do summarize, briefly, your qualifications but do not put the main focus on them. This is where you should sincerely state your passion. Students should not just vote for you because you'd do a good job but because you genuinely care about the school. State your passion for your community and how much you want to see other students succeed. Lots of students have high qualifications. You can set yourself apart by being a candidate who really cares. [16] X Research source

• Research what other student council speeches are like on video websites. This could help give you ideas.

Expert Q&A

• Only promise to do things that you really can do. Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 2
• Practice reading your speech a few times, as you'll likely be nervous before giving it. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 2

• Even if you write a great speech, understand you may lose. Be prepared to lose graciously and sincerely congratulate the winning candidate. Thanks Helpful 98 Not Helpful 15
• Unlike in a governmental election, student council candidates should not attack each other, previous leaders, or other students. Otherwise, you could get into trouble and leave a bad impression on voters. Thanks Helpful 73 Not Helpful 16

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.studentcouncilpro.com/student-council-speeches.html
• ↑ http://www.write-out-loud.com/student-council-speeches.html
• ↑ Patrick Muñoz. Voice & Speech Coach. Expert Interview. 12 November 2019.

About This Article

To write a student council speech, start with an attention-grabbing statement such as a question or a powerful quote about leadership. Next, briefly explain who you are, what position you are running for, and why you are running. Then list any relevant qualifications, such as a summer job. In the body of the speech, discuss at least 3 ways to improve the school. For this section, make sure not to make any promises you can’t keep. Finally, end by briefly reiterating your main points and asking for the students’ vote. To learn more about how to support your ideas and research for your speech, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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The Admissions Strategist

Student council: the election guide for student leaders.

When it comes to extracurricular activities that make a positive impression on colleges, student council is near the top of the list.

Not only does it impress the admissions team, but student council also prepares you for experiences you’ll have in college and the real world.

Participating in student council, also called student government, builds leadership, communication skills, problem-solving, responsibility, and more.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll discuss the benefits of student council, how to get appointed, and what to expect.

Click above to watch a video on Student Council.

What Is Student Council?

First, what exactly is student council?

Student council is a group of students elected by their classmates to organize activities and address student concerns and interests.

• The structure of student council varies by school. Many high schools have a separate council for each grade level (freshman student council, sophomore student council, junior student council, senior student council).

Some schools, particularly larger schools, also have a school-wide student council that organizes major events.

What Are the Benefits of Student Council

There are many benefits to participating in student council.

Being actively involved in your school gives you the opportunity to make changes you’d like to see, and you’ll get to meet people you may not have met otherwise.

In addition, student council is a valuable leadership experience that will help you develop important life skills.

• Colleges like to see student government on your resume because it indicates that you are a leader who gets involved on campus.
• Admissions officers will interpret this as a sign that you’re likely to make valuable contributions to their campus as well.

Your student council experience can also help you develop a variety of career skills, including:

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Delegating tasks
• Organization
• Planning/coordinating events

In short, student council is an interesting and rewarding experience that helps you build skills you’ll need in college, the workforce, and life.

And of course, it doesn’t hurt that it makes a powerful addition to your college resume.

What You’ll Do on Student Council

In general, it is the student council’s responsibility to:

• Enhance communication between students and school administration/faculty
• Represent the views of the students on matters of concern
• Promote respect and positive values among students
• Support the development of the school and school culture
• Plan events and fundraisers

Your specific experience as a member of the student council will depend on your role. Below, we’ll look at the various positions and what you can expect from each.

• President – The president must plan and lead student council meetings, including assigning tasks to the other officers. They also lead and organize student activities and represent the student body when meeting with faculty.
• Vice President – The vice president assists the president with his or her tasks and steps in if the president is absent or unavailable.
• Secretary- The secretary keeps the student council organized by taking meeting notes (called minutes), keeping records of important discussions and decisions, and managing important documents.
• Treasurer – The treasurer is responsible for managing the student council’s funds and expenses . He or she keeps track of finances and works with the president and vice president to create budgets for events and other expenditures.

If you like to lead and speak in front of others, being the student council president or vice president might suit you.

• However, you’ll also need the ability to work well under pressure and handle criticism—after all, not everyone will be on board with every decision you make.

Do you have great organizational and writing skills?

Consider running for secretary. Are you responsible and good with numbers? You could make an excellent treasurer.

As you decide what position to run for, you should also keep in mind that being elected secretary or treasurer is easier than becoming president or vice president.

This is especially true if you don’t have previous campaign or student government experience.

Get personalized advice!

How to get on student council.

Student council positions are determined by student votes.

To earn a spot on your school’s student council, you’ll have to campaign. Depending on the school, you may also need to give a campaign speech .

Your campaign can include the following:

• Designing and hanging flyers or posters with your name, the position you’re running for, and a catchy slogan
• Choosing a main campaign message: What would you like to accomplish while on student council?
• Spreading the word by talking to your friends and classmates about why you’d like to be elected
• Handing out buttons, pencils, or stickers with your name on it (depending on the rules of your school)

Think about what would make you vote one of your classmates onto the student council.

You would probably want to vote for someone you like, trust, and believe will make a positive difference in your school.

To show other students that you’re this type of person, you’ll have to get out there and mingle with your classmates.

• Introduce yourself, share some of your ideas for improvement, and ask your peers what changes they would like to see at school.
• Don’t make promises you can’t keep, but show a genuine interest in their responses. Smile and be polite and friendly.

You should also think about the impression you’re making in class.

Are you a dependable student who turns work in on time, treats others with respect, and performs well academically?

These factors can indicate that the school is in good hands with you.

Making a Campaign Speech

As mentioned above, some schools won’t require you to make a campaign speech.

Other schools will expect you to make a speech either at a live assembly or via video broadcast. Of course, this experience can be nerve-wracking.

Below, we’ll discuss tips for writing a campaign speech. But first, here are some general tips for effective public speaking:

• Practice. Before giving your speech, practice with friends, family members, or even in front of your mirror. The more you practice, the more confident and prepared you’ll feel.
• Speak slowly. We all tend to talk quickly when nervous, so slow it down and enunciate your words. And speak up—you don’t want people having to strain to hear what you’re saying.
• Pay attention to your body language. Stand up straight, keep your hands out of your pockets, and try to avoid fidgeting, playing with your hair, etc. It’s fine to make gestures with your hands as you talk, but they should be purposeful gestures rather than nervous gestures.
• Make eye contact. Speeches are more powerful if you can make eye contact with several members of the audience as you speak. If this is too intimidating, you can look slightly over the heads of the crowd. This can give the impression of eye contact.
• Smile! Most speeches are somewhat formal, but you want to come across as friendly and likeable. Smile, and don’t be afraid to make a couple of well-placed jokes too. (In this case, after all, your audience is your fellow high school classmates!) As a bonus, smiling makes your voice sound more upbeat and confident.

Your campaign speech should be brief. If the school gives you a time limit, be sure to follow it.

If not, your speech should be no longer than 2-3 minutes. If your speech is any longer, you risk losing your audience’s attention.

• Start by introducing yourself and the position you’re running for. Even if you think most students know your name, you want to be sure all students know who to look for on the ballot.

Next, explain why you’re qualified for this student council position.

• You can mention both skills and experiences that indicate you’d be a good fit.
• For example, “I was the Spanish Club treasurer for two years and have never made below an ‘A’ in math class. I’m also responsible and trustworthy.”

You can also state some of your main goals and how you will accomplish them . Repeat the same message that you used when talking to other students about your platform. If you found that many students had some of the same concerns or ideas, you may include these in your speech as well.

End with your name and campaign slogan (if you had one). This will help students remember you, particularly if your slogan is catchy or clever.

Advice from a Former Student Council Leader

Suzi Kutcher, a publicist at Ramsey Solutions and marketing all-star, loved her time during her tenure on student council.

She spoke to our team about her successes and advice she’d offer current students. Here’s her input:

How Suzi Got Involved

It’s been almost 10 years since I was involved in student council.

Back then, it was a club that I treated like a religion and is still credited with some of my favorite memories.

I first got involved in 2004 as a sixth grader in middle school.

After being elected Treasurer (2006) then Vice President (2007), I had the opportunity to attend my first state student council conference with the South Carolina Association of Student Councils.

From that moment on, I was HOOKED.

What Suzi Accomplished

By 2011 I ended up being elected Student Body President of the largest high school in South Carolina (Wando High School) and was also elected (the first woman in over 10 years) as the State Student Council President which meant I planned the state conference that year at my high school.

• The relationships I formed then are still some of my most-cherished friendships and useful connections.

After graduating from the University of South Carolina I pursued a career working for Walt Disney World and Walt Disney Studios.

Today, I am now a publicist for a very well-known personality in the Personal Finance space.

Suzi’s Advice for Students

• Go to the conferences : So much of being in student council goes unrewarded or unacknowledged.
• The times where your dedication and hard work really go noticed is when you’re offered a coveted conference spot.
• Getting to fly/drive/travel to wild locations to meet like-minded individuals and learn and C.A.S.E. (Copy And Steal Everything) ideas from other schools across the world is SUCH a unique experience.

By going to the conferences – yes, even in the middle of Summer/weekends I found college roommates, best friends, and got to see new parts of the country.

As a publicist, you’ve got to be VERY comfortable talking with strangers – from celebrities to some weirdos – you engage with all kinds.

Let me tell you – there is no better training for that than a student council conference.

• Be the first to arrive and last to leave : In my role as student body president, I had to arrive at school every day by 7:30 am and quite often would be working on things until 6 pm.

It was in these off hours that I really grew to appreciate the people working there next to me.

It was also these times that some great memories with principles, coaches and of course my student council advisor.

• Have fun : As a senior, I let a lot of power go to my head and forgot to enjoy that last year of high school.

I passed-up time with friends for time leading service projects or craft supply trips – I forgot to make time for other things in my life.

• You don’t always have to be the leader : Looking back on my student council experience, I, of course, experienced a lot of drop-off and fading interest from those I worked with.

I didn’t see then that those people didn’t need a leader, they just needed to feel included – and that has been a takeaway I use to this day.

• College student government and high school student council are NOT created equal :

After being so involved in high school, I wanted to be a part of the college’s student government.

After being rejected (yep, rejected) from the Freshman Student Gov program, I found myself in the very boring role of deputy chief of staff.

I joined because I wanted to still plan pep rallies and custodial appreciation gifts.

• What I found was very boring hours of sitting in meetings talking about legislation and student election violations.

I wasted precious time that freshman year because I didn’t realize what it was I loved about student council and failed to research the organizations that performed those duties on a college campus.

What Do Admissions Counselors Think?

We asked Savanna Klein, admissions counselor at Sweet Briar College, what her fellow admissions officers think about students participating in student council:

Holding student leadership positions shows that you are an involved and active member of your community. Colleges want students who will add to campus life and make the most out of their time there.

There you have it! Colleges look quite favorably on student council, so it’s in your best interest to participate or run for a position if you have a passion for it.

Final Thoughts: The Student Council Guide

Student council is a great life experience and resume booster.

You’ll represent the student voice in communication with administration and faculty, plan and host major events, and be a leader among your peers.

Running for a position on student council can be a scary experience, but it’s also enjoyable and rewarding. Win or lose, you’ll learn a lot in the process.

Learn how we can help you with college and career guidance! Check out our YouTube channel!

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60 Unique School Spirit Ideas To Unite Your Student Body

Service+fun=community!

We know it when we feel it: School spirit warms a school, makes everyone smile and brings people together. It makes everyone feel that they are part of something greater than themselves. There are so many ways to foster school spirit, whether it’s through community service, school-wide initiatives, or just plain old fun. And for those involved in student leadership, they also make great student council ideas.

1. Hold a dress like a teacher day

Kids love to imitate their favorite teachers, so what better way than to host a dress-like-a-teacher day at your school? Students dress as their most influential teachers for the day. Check out the amazing students and staff in this video for fun inspiration!

2. Plant a school garden

Recruit green-minded students and start a garden club with a focus on sustainability and community involvement. In spring you can harvest early vegetables and pass out samples (a la Costco) in the lunchroom.

3. Engage in service learning

Inspire a sense of school spirit and generosity by bringing students together to do good work in your community. Check out these 25+ Meaningful Service Learning Projects for Kids and Teens .

4. Make team-themed spirit cowbells

Use craft paint and ribbons in your school’s colors to create custom cowbells for pep rallies and sporting events.

5. Produce a talent show or lip sync battle

Invite your school to an event where they can showcase one of their talents. Encourage teachers and school staff to join in too!

6. Put on a “Top Chef” competition

Try a mini version of Top Chef by hosting a pie-baking or cookie-making contest. Recruit the Home Ec teacher to coordinate and choose judges. Film the competition then stream it for students in home room.

7. Host a book donation project

Not everyone has access to Wi-Fi or e-books, and getting to the library can be challenging. Create a drop box at your school where classmates can donate books. Then, using a survey tool like Survey Monkey or Google Forms, reach out to families to find out who wants books and where to deliver them. Work with your advisor to create a plan for delivery.

8. Plan a design-a-mask challenge

One of our favorite student council ideas that is a little outside the box. Challenge classmates to come up with a design for a mask that celebrates school spirit. Then, pick your three favorites. Create a video where you interview each classmate and ask them about their design and how it represents your school. If you have the funds, work with a local printing shop to get the masks made and sell them to raise money for your school.

9. Hold a music trivia contest

Nothing brings people together like music! A music trivia contest is a fun home room idea. Or, hold it in the lunchroom to include a mix of people. To help get you started, check out this cool site for 50 Easy Quiz Questions About Music.

10. Put together a Senior Spotlight

Celebrate your seniors by broadcasting highlights of their greatest accomplishments on social media.

11. Hold a Community Day

This makes a great annual tradition that builds school pride and stronger neighborhood-school ties. Students, teachers, staff, parents, and alumni get together to give a day of service in the community, whether by cleaning up sidewalks, planting trees, visiting seniors, or serving at food banks.

12. Create a school cheer

Simple or complicated? It’s up to your school! Make it catchy so that years from now, it will still pop into alum’s heads and remind them of the good times they had at your school. This activity is a good opportunity to connect with your school’s cheer squad and collaborate!

13. Highlight your school’s diversity with holiday hallway decorations

Welcome classmates back from winter or spring break with holiday hallways. Decorate school hallways for different cultural traditions to educate students about different holidays around the world.

14. Host a Color Run

A Color Run is a healthy and fun way to show your school spirit. Check out 10 Reasons You Should Do the Color Run.

15. Make spirit shakers

Another super fun activity from our favorite student council ideas. Use liter soda bottles and pony beads in your school colors. Add curling ribbons to the lid and ribbons around the middle of the bottle. Then use them at school pep rallies and sporting events.

16. Set up a virtual calming room

School can get stressful, especially during exams or big projects. Link guided meditations, online puzzles and games, yoga videos, and other fun ways to take a break to your school’s website.

17. Send staff thank-you letters

Draft personalized letters to school staff to thank them for being a part of your school community! Consider sharing this meaningful gesture as an activity for back to school, end of year, Teacher Appreciation Week, or Activity Advisor Appreciation Day.

18. Celebrate your school’s unsung heroes

Plan a day to honor the support staff in your school. In addition to teachers, give a special shout out to the special-education aides, custodians, cafeteria workers and other generous souls who help in so many ways.

19. Create a school mantra that shows your school pride

For example, We are Eagles. We are considerate. We are responsible. Engage with your school principal to craft a mantra that reflects your unique school culture. You could even have specific mottoes for each grade.

20. Put together a gratitude chain

Give each student an opportunity to write something they’re thankful for on a strip of paper and then link the strips together to form a gratitude chain to decorate the hallways of your school.

21. Surprise your rival school with positivity

Spread kindness and positivity to your rival school! Surprise them by decorating their sidewalks or hanging posters with positive messages during the evening or over a weekend.

23. Use a spirit can

Jointly sponsor a spirit can in partnership with the cheer team. During school events and game time-outs, student council members or cheerleaders lift the lid on the spirit can, signaling for the crowd to cheer. The higher the lid is lifted, the louder the crowd cheers. As the lid is lowered to the can, the crowd becomes softer. The spirit can holds T-shirts and candy, which can be thrown out to the loudest fans.

24. Design a school spirit stick

Use your creativity to create a spirit stick with your school colors. Use an empty gallon water bottle, a broomstick, beads, and ribbon. Award the stick on a revolving basis to the grade or class that shows the most school spirit throughout the year.

25. Create decades-themed spirit boards

Brighten up your school’s hallways with decades of color! Assign an era to each grade level. For instance, 9th graders- 1950’s, 10th graders-1960’s, etc..

26. Host a photo booth

Design your own “frame” with your school mascot or colors and let students line up for photos. Post them on your school’s website (with permission, of course).

27. Host a school-wide Amazing Race

Looking for memorable student council ideas? Check this one out. It’s got lots of potential for getting lots of students involved. Students go on a scavenger hunt around the school, completing certain tasks. The last team to make it to each checkpoint is out.

28. Let seniors personalize their parking spots

Finally! Seniors get to park in the front row. Advocate for seniors to get designated prime parking spots and work with your school administration to allow custom decoration. Then, invite seniors to show their pride with a little personalization!

29. Have a student vs. faculty competition

Organize a game where students compete against faculty. It could be a basketball or kickball game—or even musical chairs. Hilarity is guaranteed!

30. Hold a door-decorating contest

Host door-decorating contests with themes such as holidays, homecoming, spirit days, or making the world a better place. Reveal the winning classroom over morning announcements and award the winners with prizes like pizza or an ice cream party. Here are awesome classroom door ideas .

31. Hold a T-shirt-decorating contest

Challenge students to design a spirit shirt for your school. Feature all entries on a bulletin board in a common area or webpage so that everyone can view the entries. Determine the winner by popular vote or by a committee vote.

32. Adopt a sister school

Find a school in another state, or even overseas, and collectively write letters to that school. Send your news and school highlights. Post replies where everyone can read them.

33. Share positive messages with a Kindness Rocks Project

Inspire positivity and kindness around your school community with a Kindness Rocks Project . Paint rocks with an encouraging word or message and scatter them throughout your school and community.

34. Create a community painting

During a stressful time for students like state testing or finals week, set up a large blank canvas in the common area along with paints in your school colors. Encourage students to “throw” paint against the canvas using paintbrushes and sponges. When the activity is over, you’ll have an amazing painting to display!

35. Celebrate your school’s history

Educate new students and introduce incoming students to the rich history of the school. Make weekly history announcements, include a history column in the school paper, or post a history board in the halls to feature influential teachers, founders, the school’s namesake, and outstanding alumni.

36. Hold an old-fashioned field day

Support your school’s field day activities by organizing and running different events and competitions.

37. Brighten up someone’s landscape

Find out who in your community needs help with their yardwork, and plan a day where students can sign up to rake lawns and bag the leaves. Your students may find that doing common yard work is a fun way to get everyone out of the house, spend time together, and help out your community.

38. Open a school spirit and supply store

Sell spirit wear so everyone can get decked out in your school colors. You could even create an online pop-up shop that makes it easy for families to buy school spirit wear from home. Use the proceeds to raise funds for your school or a charitable cause.

39. Showcase student art in a gallery

Use Google Slides or another display program to create a gallery where your classmates can put their artwork on display. This easy-to-follow tutorial will help you get started. You can even add background music and host an opening reception event that you promote on your school’s social channels.

40. Choose an entrance song for spirit events

Get students fired up with a rocking song that gets them on their feet and cheering. You can make it a classic jam like “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor or something more contemporary like “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, or create an entire playlist of appropriate songs to use as entrance music to pep rallies, assemblies, and ceremonies. Check out these song tips from Education to the Core , along with other great ideas for spirit assemblies.

41. Paint a unity wall

Make all students feel welcome in your school with a unity wall that highlights what makes them unique and the characteristics they share. This unity wall at Hesperia High School in Hesperia, CA celebrates their kind student body and makes it clear that everyone contributes to a culture of kindness.

42. Make spirit bracelets

Another one of those simple but effective student council ideas. Make spirit bracelets using beads made in school colors and letters. Pass them out at lunchtime or at sporting events. Customize them for special events.

43. Compose a school song

A school song is a tradition that will create lasting memories for generations. If you have a talented student or teacher musician, you could even compose an original song. Already have one? Host a contest to update and refresh it. Then teach it to the student body.

44. Share compliment cards

Challenge your student leaders to pass out compliment cards with notes such as “You have great style,” “I love your smile,” and “You’re a great friend!” Include instructions on each card that direct the recipient to pay the compliment forward to someone else—creating a butterfly effect of kindness across your school!

45. Designate special dress-up days

One of those classic student council ideas but with a modern twist. Dress-up days ,  such as tie-dye day, beach day, jersey day, and favorite book character day, can be a great way for students to get creative and have fun. To increase participation and promote inclusion, be sure to incorporate ideas that are easy to do, such as favorite outfit day or school colors day.

46. Face-paint with your school colors

Recruit art students to showcase their talents by painting their peers’ faces with school colors. Schedule it on a pep assembly day to give students the opportunity to amp up their school spirit.

47. Hold a poster contest

Have different homerooms, school clubs, or teams make their best spirit posters to display in the halls. Present the winning one at a pep rally and reward the artists with small gifts like school key chains or rally towels.

48. Throw a back-to-school cookout

Get the whole school community together to get “fired up” for the school year. Having time to casually socialize with teachers and staff helps ease the transition for students and families.

49. Host a game tournament

Engage students and foster a positive school climate by hosting a tournament or game night. At Cimarron-Memorial High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, they hosted a virtual Among Us game where participants were divided into different Google Meet rooms, each moderated by a student council member.

50. Decorate with erasable chalk

Welcome back new and returning students and staff to a new school year or after spring break by decorating school sidewalks with positive messages. This could be a good opportunity to engage with art students to create an even more impressive display!

51. Come up with a yearlong theme

Collaborate with your principal to create a motivational school theme for the year, like “teamwork” or “respect.” Integrate the theme into as many aspects of your school as possible throughout the year. For example, introduce the theme at your back-to-school night and incorporate it in your school newsletters throughout the year. Read this great article from Education World on how to engage the whole school in a unified, yearlong theme .

52. Make DIY pom poms

This is one of many fun money-making student council ideas. Make and sell paper pom poms before your student athletic events and fill your gym with school spirit! Keep the cost low- 25 cents or so- to make them accessible to everyone.

53. Start a mentoring program

Pair older students with younger ones for the duration of the year. “Buddies” can invite each other to lunch (on specially designated days), write notes (monitored), and team up on field day competitions. Near-peer mentoring , with students just a grade or two apart, can be a big benefit for both students.

54. Host a school movie night

Spread a king-size sheet or painter’s tarp on the side of the school to project a movie and invite students and their families to bring lawn chairs or blankets. If the weather’s cold or rainy, turn your school gym into a movie theater and spread out the gymnastics mats for seating.

55. Spread cafeteria compassion

Write kind notes to your cafeteria staff and give them to students who are standing in line for lunch, along with directions to pass the note to a cafeteria staff member. With minimal effort, your whole student body can overwhelm your cafeteria staff with compassion and gratitude!

56. Host a senior breakfast

In the last week of school, host a senior breakfast to celebrate students’ graduation and give them a positive send-off. Be sure to offer decaf coffee—they’re already stoked enough!

57. Organize a tutoring program

Recruit classmates who are willing to tutor other students. Create a schedule and share it with families and students, so they can drop in and get help on a variety of subjects.

58. Make spirit bracelets

Another fun DIY project! This tutorial will teacher students how to make simple braided paper bracelets using school-colored paper. Tackle making them as a class project. Or encourage a school club to make them as a fundraiser.

59. Give out honorary school diplomas

Advocate to begin an honorary school diploma program, recognizing people in the community—living or historical—who have made outstanding contributions to the school or have noteworthy achievements that align with your school values. A student council can help to organize the program with support from administration and serve on the selection committee, nominating awardees and writing the citations.

60. Do an end-of-year graduation walk

Graduating high school seniors walk the halls in their caps and gowns to inspire younger students to go the distance.

How do you foster school spirit in the classroom? Come and share your ideas in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group  on Facebook.

Plus, check out these theme day ideas to steer clear of, and some recommended alternatives, you might also like.

110+ Sensational School Spirit Week Ideas, Activities, and Themes

Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. Continue Reading

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Now that the school year is underway and the temperatures are (finally!) dropping, it’s a great time to get your student council kids planning some fun fall spirit projects and activities for your school and community.  

Get your student leaders together for a brainstorming session a few weeks into the school year, once all the back-to-school stuff has settled down. This is their chance to share their student council ideas for the next few months. Start by creating a no-idea’s-too-crazy list, then work to narrow it down. 

If you could use some good group brainstorming and decision-making protocols, grab my popular  teambuilding flip deck  which is perfect for days like these!

After your students decide on a handful of activities (making sure not to overcommit themselves!), create committees and assign project leads. Then hand each group a  project planning kit  and let them do the rest!

Here are 25 of my favorite fall school project and student council ideas to help you start in filling your September, October, and November calendars; definitely let your students bring in their own ideas, too!

School Spirit Tie-Die

Help ensure all students have something to wear in your school colors by hosting a tie-die session with squeeze bottles of just your two or three school colors. Offer white socks and t-shirts inexpensively for purchase. 

Show College Spirit with National College Color Day 

This day is around the beginning of September, so check its exact day each year. Challenge staff to represent their alma maters and students to wear the colors of their favorite school. 

Create a Communication Hub 

Use a bulletin board or blank hallway space in a common area to create a spot for each club, sport, and grade level to post announcements and posters advertising upcoming events. 

Celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day 

Always on September 19 th , this is a fun day to have your student leaders read the day’s announcements in pirate speak, tell pirate jokes, and have pirate themed games during lunch.

Host a Tailgate Dinner

This is a great fundraiser activity to run at one of your home football games. Easy ideas include hot dogs, hamburgers, or pulled pork sandwiches. Add in some chips, soda, and a cookie for dessert. Be sure to advertise ahead of time so people come hungry!

Start an Events Flyer 

Make it on old-fashioned paper. Tape it to high-traffic doors, bathroom stalls, and lunch tables. You’ll want to task a few students to oversee this to ensure new ones go up every-other week or month!

Create a Carpool All-Call

Have your student leaders coordinate carpools to an upcoming away game. This is a great opportunity for them to encourage freshmen and other new students to attend.

Make a No Excuses Day Challenge

National No Excuses Day is September 27 th . Challenge students to do something that day they’ve been putting off for whatever reason, then debrief a few days later about how it went.

Decorate Teachers’ Doors 

This doesn’t need to be anything elaborate, just something with a fall or Halloween theme. It could be as simple as adding a few leaves or some jack-o-lantern image cutouts with funny or personal messages written on them.  

Create Staff Pumpkins 

Get a bunch of small pumpkins and decorate them. Theme the pumpkins based on things each teacher likes (a Star Wars design or as their favorite historical figure) and hand them out to display in their classrooms. Make sure to include secretaries, paras, nurses, and lunch staff, too!

Recognize your Custodians and Coaches

National Custodian Day is October 2 nd  and National Coaches Day is October 6 th . Make a large banner or  write notes of appreciation  to show gratitude to these important people who help build your school’s community.

Host Fall-Themed Games at Lunch

Use this list of  autumn-themed Minute to Win It games  or have your students come up with their own.

Complete Acts of Kindness on Be Nice Day 

National Be Nice Day is October 5 th  of each year. Challenge your students to complete a  random act of kindness  for a staff member or classmate. 

Host a Mix it Up at Lunch Day

This event was created by  Learning for Justice . It’s traditionally done in the fall to encourage new friendships and breaking down barriers between social groups. This is also a great time for your student officers to sit with underclassmen or any new students this year. Download Learning for Justice’s  FREE how-to planning guide  that will give you all the details.

Organize a Rake and Run

After the leaves have fallen, have everyone bring in rakes to clean up the school’s yards or those of homes around the community, which could be either as a service project or a fundraiser for your program.

Make Some Fall Bulletin Boards

Save some of those gorgeous fall leaves and make themed bulletin boards throughout your school. One idea is to ask your librarian if you can make them a book recommendation board using the headline “Leaf through a Good Book.” 

Complete a Boo for Food Drive

During the week leading up to Halloween, hold a class competition food drive which includes heading into the community to “trick or treat” for canned goods. Be sure to advertise in the local paper and around town of this event so people are ready!

Host a Trunk or Treat 

This is great if your area isn’t very trick-or-treat-friendly. Have students and families circle up their cars and trucks in the school parking lot on an evening near Halloween, decorating their trunks. Check out these  incredible theme ideas  to get started!

Invite your feeder elementary school students to attend this safe and fun way to trick or treat. This is also a great time for your boosters or other groups to set up concessions, face painting, or other fundraisers. 

Offer Apple Cider Cups of Kindness

At lunch one day, hand out cups of warm apple cider. Better yet, have your students pre-decorate plain white paper cups with all sorts of affirmation, inspirational, and positive messages. This is one of my favorite student council ideas my leaders have come up with over the years.

Hold a Food Drive Face-Off 

Challenge classes to compete by bringing in specific items that are in demand at your local food bank. Think: peanut butter vs. tuna dish drive or soup vs. cereal. 

Celebrate World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day is on November 13 th . Challenge your students to a flash thank you mob where they write short but powerful notes of appreciation en masse. This is project #1 of my  3-Part Thank You Letter Kit.

Upgrade Your School’s Recycling System

National Recycle Day is November 15 th , making this a great time to examine the way your school recycles—in the classrooms, in the halls, and in the cafeteria. Does your school need more receptacles, better signage, or a PSA video on the do’s and don’ts of recycling at your school? Investigate and implement a solution.

Honor Support Staff & Substitute Teachers 

The third week in November contains both of these appreciation days. Put together a snack basket for all the people (like food service, office, and custodial staff) and guest teachers who help your building run smoothly every day.

Give Gratitude Shout Outs

During the week of Thanksgiving, write messages of appreciation using chalk pens on the windows of your school’s entry way or other central location. Provide prompts like,  “What or who are you most grateful for at our school?”  or  “What are you most thankful for?”

Check in with New Students 

Now that it’s a couple months into the school year, have your student leaders check in with students who are new this year. Sit with them at lunch, invite them to an upcoming school event, and even simply make sure to say “hi” to them in the halls.

Hopefully this list gives you and your students more than enough student council ideas to pick a few to try this fall. Be sure to grab my  Project Planning Kit , which is a lifesaver in allowing your student leaders to take the lead in brainstorming, planning, and carrying out any project, big or small. The best part is that these universal templates and forms become a how-to guide for next year’s group!

Image credit: Greg Shield 

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Student Council Ideas for Elementary Schools

By Mary Montero

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Does your school have a student council? Once reserved for middle and high school students, it’s now more common to have a student council at the elementary level as well. A student council can provide a valuable platform for students to develop important life skills while making a positive impact on their school community. Our school has hosted a student council for years, and for the first time ever, I’m one of the leaders of it this year! It’s been a fun adventure, and I have so many student council ideas to implement (eventually….!).

The Benefits of A Student Council

The student council offers numerous benefits to both the students and the school community as a whole. It can:

• Provide a platform for student voices and ideas to be heard
• Empower students to express their ideas and suggestions regarding school events and activities
• Foster a sense of ownership and involvement among students, promoting a positive school culture and a stronger sense of community.
• Allow students to participate in coordinated community service efforts.

Being a part of the student council also cultivates leadership skills in students. They learn to collaborate, communicate, and make decisions collectively, honing their abilities to lead and inspire others. Serving on the student council can instill a sense of responsibility and accountability as students take on roles and tasks that contribute to the function of their school. 

How Students Are Selected for Student Council

Student council elections can sometimes become popularity contests, but there are several ways to avoid that. At our school, our student council is made up of students in grades 4-6. Anyone can join, but sixth graders hold campaigns for office positions and give speeches to the fourth and fifth graders. Having students in different grades cast votes helps prevent students from only voting for their closest friends in the same grade.

I’ve also seen schools do a combination of student and teacher votes. At one school, students complete applications, receive endorsements, and apply for specific committees on the student council. Then, their peers and teachers select the final council. Some may even “interview” for certain positions!

Our student council positions include:

President: This student plans for and presents at meetings, oversees the other committees, and is a general point person for the student council.

Vice President: This student works very closely with the president to complete his or her duties. They run the student council meetings together!

Assembly Coordinator: Our school has monthly assemblies in support of our Responsive Classroom work. This student works with the leaders of the student council to plan a productive and engaging assembly for the whole school. Then, they get to be center stage at the assembly and lead different parts of it!

Head of Teacher Appreciation: This student leads a committee of students who plan monthly acts of teacher appreciation. They often include a small candy bar with a punny saying!

School Ambassadors: This student leads a committee of students who put a plan in place for welcoming new students, both at the beginning of the year, and if they arrive throughout the year. 

We have a few other student council positions, and most support the committees described below:

Student Council Committees

Having a variety of different committees is another way to be more inclusive. Our school has one teacher who is the “head’ of the student council, but several other teachers volunteer to help with committees. Students only serve on one committee per year, so this is a great way to allow more students to have the opportunity to serve on the student council. We combine student council with K-Kids , so it is very community service-based.

Here are some student council committee ideas:

Morning Welcome Committee

Students on the morning welcome committee are responsible for setting a positive tone every day. They greet students in the hallway each morning with positive affirmations and high-fives. The same students also take care of important morning duties, like raising the flag or bringing in the sidewalk cones. These students are also responsible for the morning announcements. They read the quote of the day, birthdays, reminders, etc.

New Student Welcome Committee

Changing schools in the middle of the year can be intimidating, but having a new student welcome committee can help. This select group of students will give tours, be lunch buddies for the first week, and play with the new student at recess. 

School Spirit Events

Just think of how many school events occur each school year and all the work involved! Your student council members can help organize and advertise important events like back-to-school bash, Red Ribbon week, holiday events (trunk or treat, snowball dance, etc.), end-of-the-year picnics, and more. Our school spirit committee also makes encouraging signs for state testing week! This post has even more ideas for your next school-wide event.

Assembly Committee

Just like the school spirit committee, students can also help with other school-wide events like the talent show, school dances, and special guests. 

Philanthropy and Fundraising

Another committee can be responsible for all philanthropy and fundraising needs. Bake sales, collection drives (food, clothing, books), walk-a-thons, and more all need students to promote and pump up participation. This is a big job! They are in charge of creating posters for advertising the events, writing scripts to share about the fundraising events on the announcements, and “news flash” alerts in the newspaper. This committee also goes into individual classrooms to share about current initiatives and answer student questions! 

Newspaper Committee

Whether your school sends a newsletter weekly, biweekly, monthly, or quarterly, students LOVE to help! This committee can be responsible for the entire newsletter or just a section of it. They can also digitally design the newsletter and deliver paper copies to each classroom. They are also responsible for taking pictures throughout the year and coming up with different sections of the paper (Student of the Semester, Kindness Corner, Nature News, etc.). We designed this year’s newspaper on Canva, and it was super user-friendly! 

Staff Appreciation

Everyone likes to feel appreciated, and it means even more when coming from students! Students can write notes for school staff, deliver treats on a rolling cart, etc., to show staff members just how valuable they are.

Kindness Squad

We also added a kindness committee thanks to this post from Head Over Heels for Teaching . EVERYONE is on the Kindness Squad, and it’s a mega favorite! This committee stands out at the car line on student council meeting mornings and greets parents and students with happy posters, songs, cheers, and general positivity. It’s a HUGE hit from both the squad and the rest of the student body!

More School Community Ideas

Are you part of our Free Inspired in Upper Elementary Facebook group? It’s the perfect place to be inspired! You can visit this post to read how other schools run their student councils . Here are a few of their ideas:

“Our student council will do Mix it up lunches and grade levels get mixed at lunch and SC members play Would You Rather Games during lunch or other types of games to sometimes break up the monotony of lunch.” – Angela C.

“We do 2 dances for grades 6-8 throughout the hear. We have bake sales (last few years store bought candy, snacks, and treats). We took our first field trip to pack food and then went to lunch. Our student council plans red ribbon week, all of our themed weeks, and anything else that we can get our hands on!” – Crystal W.

“Our student leadership students research and vote on an encouraging quote each month. They make posters of the quotes and hang them around the school. You could also plan a service project like collecting food for a local shelter, or making tie blankets for Project Linus.” – Mallory C.

“If you have a cancer infusion center nearby you can make bags for the patients. I had my class do this for several years after my bout with cancer. The patients loved them. We included a snack, a drink, chapstick, small sanitizer, and tried to get a hat or scarf. The kids decorated the bags or put uplifting messages in them. We received some beautiful thank you notes from patients. I received one when I was a patient from a different school. Picture of the nurses with the bags being delivered.” – MJ M.

“We meet before school, so at the end of our meetings we cheer during student drop off and welcomw kids to school. We sponsor 1-2 evening events like a movie night and dance. We also make videos about school rules that teachers show during their morning meetings.” – Bonnie J.

“Our student council does morning announcements. They alternate between someone leading the school in the pledge and school motto, announcing the lunch for the day and wishing Happy birthdays. They make cards for each student at our school. Birthday kids are invited to the office to pick up their card with a small treat.” – Jessica W.

“We have taken responsibility for all the main hall bulletin boards. We change them out monthly to fit with our school themes and events. We are going to try community outreach passion projects this year.” – Melanie S.

You can also read these posts for additional ideas for building your school and classroom communities !

Mary Montero

I’m so glad you are here. I’m a current gifted and talented teacher in a small town in Colorado, and I’ve been in education since 2009. My passion (other than my family and cookies) is for making teachers’ lives easier and classrooms more engaging.

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50 Engaging Narrative Essay Topics for High Schoolers

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What’s Covered:

Narrative essays vs. analytical essays, how to pick the right narrative essay topic, elements of a strong narrative essay, engaging narrative essay topics for high schoolers, where to get your narrative essay edited for free.

Narrative essays are an extensive form of writing that gives readers the opportunity to follow along as a person goes through a journey or sets of experiences. Rather than providing analytic insight, narrative essays simply share a story and offer a first-person account. These essays may seem easy to write at first, but it takes a certain finesse to write a narrative essay that is interesting, cohesive, and well-researched. Whether you’re looking for a unique topic to write about, or just want some new inspiration, CollegeVine is here to help! These 50 narrative essay topics are engaging, unique and will have you writing in no time.

A narrative essay is a great way to express your personal experiences and opinions, but it is important to remember that this type of essay is different from an analytical paper. In a narrative essay, you do not need to provide background information or explain your thoughts and feelings; instead, you simply tell a story. It’s important to avoid too much telling in your writing; instead, use creative details and vivid imagery to make readers feel as if they are actually right there with you.

Where You Will Encounter Narrative Essays

This type of essay is typically encountered in high school, where students may be required to write personal statements to prepare for their Common App essay . Narrative essays are also commonly seen in AP Language and Composition. Therefore, it’s important you are aware of the style because you are bound to have a narrative essay assignment.  

Of course, before you start writing, it is important to pick the right essay topic. There are many factors involved in the process of picking the perfect narrative essay topic for your story.

You should always choose a topic that you are passionate about, since writing on something you care about will make the process much easier. Not only will it be more interesting to create your paper around something that truly interests you, but it will also allow you to fully express yourself in your essay. You also want to be sure that the topic has enough material to work with. If your chosen topic is too short, you will not have enough content to write a complete paper. For example, if you are writing about your experience getting lost at the mall, make sure that you have enough information to work with to craft an engaging narrative. 

The best topic for an engaging narrative essay is one that focuses on showing versus telling, has a clear structure, and provides a dialogue. These elements come together to form an engaging narrative essay. Regardless of what subject you pick, any topic may be turned into a fascinating, A+ worthy narrative using the tips below.

Show, Don’t Tell

To write a good narrative essay, it’s important to show, not tell. Instead of simply informing your audience, show them what you mean. For example, instead of saying “I was nervous,” you could say “My heart began to race and my stomach filled with butterflies.” Also make sure to use sensory details, such as sights, sounds and tastes, and include a personal reflection at the end of your narrative. 

Begin with a Strong Opening Line

A good narrative essay will begin with an attention-grabbing opening line. But make sure to avoid common clichés, such as “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Instead, come up with something original and specific to you and your situation. For example: “My pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles. I mean, he even used circular note cards.” Or, “It all started the day my mom brought home a guinea pig.”

Follows a Three-Act Structure

A strong narrative essay follows the same three-act structure as other essays. But in order to make it interesting, you’ll need to come up with a creative way to break things down into sections. For example, using the guinea pig example from above, you could write the following:

• Act 1 – Introduction: The day my mom brought home a guinea pig.
• Act 2 – Conflict: The day I had to say goodbye to my beloved pet.
• Act 3 – Conclusion: Looking back at how much I miss him now that he’s gone.

Conclude with Personal Reflection

To conclude your narrative essay, you’ll want to explain what this specific experience taught you or how you’ve changed. For example, upon realizing that her pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles, the writer of the previous example begins to notice circular shapes everywhere. Another way to conclude your narrative essay is by touching on how this experience impacted you emotionally. For example, after losing his guinea pig, the writer explains how much he missed it.

Use Dialogue

Include a conversation in your essay to make it come alive. For example, instead of simply saying that you met a new friend, talk about how you introduced yourselves or what they were wearing when you met them.

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The following list of 50 narrative essay topics is divided into categories. This will make it easier to find a topic that fits your writing style.

1. What is a childhood song that still sticks with you today?

2. Your first day of Kindergarten

3. Talk about a time when you’re siblings looked up to you

4. Describe the best birthday party you’ve ever had

5. Talk about the best day you ever spent with a childhood friend

6. Explain your first childhood hobby

7. Describe your first halloween costume

8. A family vacation gone wrong

9. Your first family reunion

10. Describe a tradition that is unique to your family

11. Describe your family to a person who’s never met them before

12. What frustrates you most about your family

13. If you could only keep one memory of your family, what would it be and why?

14. Describe a time your family embarrassed you in public

15. The most beautiful place in the world

16. Your favorite season and why

17. If you were a part of nature, what element would you be? Why?

18. When you go outside, which of your senses are you most thankful to have?

19. Describe the first time you witnessed a tornado 

20. Write a poem about your favorite season

21. Describe yourself as one of the four seasons

22. Describe a time in which you felt connected with nature

23. Describe the first time you played an instrument and how you felt

24. What major event would be much worse if music was removed, and why?

25. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

26. What would a life without music look like?

27. If you could master one instrument, what would it be and why?

Relationships

28. What if you had never met your best friend?

29. Describe a time when you fixed a broken relationship

30. Talk about a movie that defined a relationship for you

31. Describe your first date

32. Describe the first time you made a friend

33. Describe your relationship with your parents

Self Reflection

34. Have you ever fooled someone? If so, describe what happened and how you felt about it

35. What is the worst thing you’ve done to someone else?

36. Write about the difference between how things seem and how they really are. 

37. Have you ever been embarrassed in some way? If so, describe the situation and how it affected you as well as those around you

38. Have you ever witnessed something really beautiful? Describe it

39. Is your glass half empty or half full?

Overcoming Adversity 

40. Have you ever been very afraid of something but tried your hardest to appear fearless? If so, describe that experience

41. When have you ever succeeded when you thought you might fail

42. What are your secret survival strategies?

43. Describe the last time you were stressed and why?

44. Describe a time when you were discriminated against

45. The most memorable class you’ve had and why

46. Your favorite study abroad memory

47. Describe your kindergarten classroom

48. Describe your first teacher

49. The first time you experienced detention

50. Your first field trip

Hopefully these topics will get you thinking about a personal experience that could make for a thoughtful and engaging narrative essay. Remember, a strong narrative essay must contain relatable details and a clear flow that keeps the reader entertained and engaged to read all the way to the end.

If you need some additional guidance on your narrative essay, use CollegeVine’s free peer review essay tool to get feedback for free!

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