A recent publication by the Partnership for Student Success (PSS) at the Johns Hopkins University Everyone Graduates Center highlights several models for how high school students can be meaningfully involved in support roles that foster success for both those giving and receiving support. After all, peer influence is a powerful driver of student engagement and […]
Category: Student Voice and Agency
Insights Into Peer Supports From the National Student Council
The Giving Tree
I’ve always dreaded winter break. While my classmates looked forward to family celebrations, I prepared for loneliness. The absence of a “normal” family weighed heavily on me, a quiet ache I carried this time of the year. Christmas, once magical in my childhood, slowly lost its warmth the older I got, leaving only reminders of […]
Advocating for My Sister With National Student Council on Capitol Hill
Growing up with a little sister with Down syndrome has meant seeing both the beauty and the flaws in how our society treats people with special needs. From watching her cry at home and repeating, “I have no friends,” to watching her face light up when she is with friends who truly accept her, I […]
5 Tips to Encourage Students to Apply for the NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award
Each year, NJHS recognizes 500 middle level students for their commitment to the five pillars of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship through the Outstanding Achievement Award (OAA). The students selected receive a $500 college savings plan to support their educational aspirations.
NJHSOAAOutstanding Achievement Award
Meet a 2025 NHS Chapter Pillar Award Winner
Each year, NASSP recognizes around 200 NHS and NJHS chapters with Pillar Awards for embracing Honor Society core values. There are five award categories: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character, and Overall Excellence. Winners receive a digital recognition package, including a seal for their chapter website.
NHS Chapter Essentials for Every Milestone
Running an NHS chapter is an exciting responsibility—but it also comes with a lot of moving pieces. Whether you’re preparing for inductions, celebrating senior achievements, or recognizing student leadership throughout the year, having the right tools on hand makes everything smoother. Here are a few chapter essentials every adviser should keep stocked:
4 Reasons to Engage in Student Council This Year
Ever since my election last spring to the National Student Council, I’ve met some amazing people from our officers’ team, our fantastic state representatives, and our national advisers from NASSP, Ann Postlewaite and Taryn Erminio. However, getting to this point and being able to experience these opportunities is something I would have never imagined for […]
Celebrating National Student Leadership Week in Puerto Rico
The student council at TASIS Dorado, a private school in Dorado, Puerto Rico, has a tradition of celebrating National Student Leadership Week (NSLW) to honor students who might not get the recognition they deserve as student leaders. This week, TASIS Dorado students and their adviser are looking at ways to make their celebration even larger […]
NSLW
Your 2025 UNITED Agenda: Student Agency
Make Student Voice the Centerpiece of School Culture Students don’t just want to be heard—they want to lead. These sessions highlight the practices and mindsets that let students own their learning and help shape their communities.
How Student Ambassadors Bring Fresh Ideas to Our Middle School
I’ve spent most of my career as an educator at Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury, CT, including the last seven years as principal. A big thing I’ve always believed in, as a teacher and an administrator, is student voice. One way to incorporate student voice into how we teach and learn is to seek […]