1. Young people are the best judges of how they experience high school.
Youth perspectives must inform all aspects of high school design.
Fact:
84% of high school students want to go to college, but only half think their schools are preparing them for college-level classes.
Source: YouthTruth
Young people’s perspectives, positive or negative, are incredibly important for anyone who’s designing or redesigning a high school. After all, they’re the ones our schools must serve!
Adolescents feel empowered and involved when adults authentically engage them in the decisions that affect their lives. Go out and talk to young people, both inside your local schools and in other places where students get together and learn. A local community center is a really good place to start.
Invite students to reflect on occasions when learning has been deep and rewarding for them. Ask them about experiences that were negative or that they wish had been better or more fulfilling. Ask them about what happened during COVID-related school closures.
Be sure to seek out the opinions of those whose voices aren’t often heard, including students with disabilities, young people who have dropped out of school, and disengaged or struggling students. Their experiences will help you see what’s missing from high school today and what needs to change.
Start with a conversation
Try asking young people about their vision for the future, the things they care about, their aspirations for themselves and their community, their dream school. Think about their true needs—and how you might inspire them to stretch their ambitions:
- What kind of future do you see for yourself?
- What are your life goals?
- What kind of job or career do you want to pursue?
- Who are the role models you admire most?
- Tell me about something you’re really interested in right now.
- What is something you would love to teach?
- What impact do you want to have in your community? In the world?
- How do you define success for yourself?
- If you could build a school or a learning experience that was specifically designed for how you learn, what would it look like? Sound like? Feel like?
- How would your dream high school better prepare you for college or career?
For more questions like these, see the XQ Youth Voice Cards.
Dive Deep
![a student looking forward]()
Degrees of Youth ParticipationWe can learn from young people in a range of ways. UNICEF shares a visual describing the eight levels of youth participation, from nonparticipation to child-initiated decision-making.
Explore![hands using a computer]()
Just Ask the StudentsThe Future Project asked NYC high school students how they'd change high school. Here's what they said.
Watch![a microphone]()
Move School ForwardThis campaign led by Student Voice—a national, student-led nonprofit—amplifies the voices of students in school reopening plans and beyond.
Explore![a student reading]()
Remote and Hybrid Learning: How Well Are You Doing?XQ created this tool to help students and educators work together to put student experience at the forefront of school reopening plans.
Explore
Analyze
Use XQ’s Youth Voice cards to get conversations going with young people.
Step 1 – Research
Make a plan to engage with a wide range of young people, in person and virtually, through interviews, meetings, focus groups, surveys, and informal conversations. To find students who are willing to talk, try reaching out to adults they trust: teachers, mentors, coaches, and afterschool providers. Be sure to take notes and record what you hear.
Step 2 – Reflect
Share findings with your team and explore these questions:
- What did you learn about what students want—and don’t want—from their high schools? What themes do you see? What surprises you?
- What are the implications for your school design? What questions do you want to explore further?
