Category: High School Life

Student wearing headphones and taking notes in front of their computer with another student smiling in the background

High School Life

How School Counselors Help High School Students

Dr. Rebecca Carter Although there is no “average” day as a counselor at a high school, there are several beats high school counselors typically follow. I spend most of my…

Close-up of a student using a touchscreen board with another student watching in the background

High School Life

ChatGPT & Students: What do I do with A.I. in the classroom?

Lately, I’ve been reading everything I can about the open-source artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT. There are dozens of stories about students submitting spectacular essays written by the chatbot. This…

Listen to “Academic Pressure,” on This Teenage Life

High School Life

Listen to “Academic Pressure,” on This Teenage Life

Academic pressure can bring out the best and worst in students. Some teens get so invigorated by the chance to prove themselves that they fall down the proverbial rabbit hole, and enjoy reading every piece of research they can find before writing a paper or taking a test. But for others, the pressure to succeed can lead to procrastination, headaches, anxiety attacks, and sleepless nights.

Listen to “Making Friends,” on This Teenage Life

High School Life

Listen to “Making Friends,” on This Teenage Life

Find the full episode at This Teenage Life, and wherever podcasts are found. Friendships feed the soul for all of us. But for teenagers, they also serve a more…

Give Me Five Gets A New Look, New Name, and New Expertise

High School Life

Give Me Five Gets A New Look, New Name, and New Expertise

It’s a new year and a new chance for us to help shape the future. My name is Edward Montalvo, the new Senior Education Writer at the XQ Institute. As…

LISTEN: Dealing With Transitions, Like Starting High School

High School Life

LISTEN: Dealing With Transitions, Like Starting High School

Find the full episode at This Teenage Life, and wherever podcasts are found. The start of a new school year is a time of renewal. But for teens, it…

LISTEN: Teen Tips for Teachers

High School Life

LISTEN: Teen Tips for Teachers

Teachers understand that youth voice and choice are critical for learning. At XQ, we’ve made it one of our defining principles to support educators. This week we’re spotlighting a podcast…

Journalism Challenge

High School Life

Announcing the 2022 Student Journalism Challenge: My Education, My Future

Do your students challenge you with tough questions? Are they looking for ways to explore the issues they care about most?  Asking questions is a fundamental ingredient of education. It’s…

Find Out What Recent High School Grads Wish all Teachers Knew

High School Life

Find Out What Recent High School Grads Wish all Teachers Knew

As the back-to-school season continues in full swing, we asked our XQ summer interns to reflect on their high school experiences and tell us three things they really want teachers…

Six Resources on XQ Design Principles

High School Life

Six Resources on XQ Design Principles

Hi teachers! Notice anything different? This week’s Give Me Five is actually a Give Me Six—six resources in honor of the six XQ Design Principles! These principles represent the…

How the Pandemic Changed Us:  High Schoolers Share Their Perspectives

High School Life

How the Pandemic Changed Us: High Schoolers Share Their Perspectives

We’ve heard so much about how the pandemic disrupted learning and how isolating it was for students. We’re proud to sponsor this latest episode of the podcast This Teenage Life (TTL).

5 Summer Professional Development Resources

High School Life

5 Summer Professional Development Resources

Happy summer, teachers! As you know, the summer offers valuable time to reset and recharge. Every day we hear from teachers who are looking for tools to rethink high school…

Listen to Teens Discuss What Mattered Most to Them in High School Classes

High School Life

Listen to Teens Discuss What Mattered Most to Them in High School Classes

Far too often, young people in U.S. high schools are expected to learn the same thing at the same time in their classes. Teachers present a lesson and lead the discussion, and each student then completes the same assignment. But this can lead to disengagement for students. 

What is Financial Literacy? (And Why Does it Matters for Your Students?)

High School Life

What is Financial Literacy? (And Why Does it Matters for Your Students?)

Learn how to get your finances in order with these well-explained financial basics.

Growth Mindset in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Guide

High School Life

Growth Mindset in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Guide

If you look at what happens inside classrooms at Iowa BIG, an XQ school in Cedar Rapids, you’ll see students discussing everything that went wrong that day. They aren’t…

How Youth Climate Activist Jerome Foster II Became the Voice for One Million Young People

High School Life

How Youth Climate Activist Jerome Foster II Became the Voice for One Million Young People

XQ schools empower students not only to dream of the future, but gives them the tools to make those dreams a reality. Learn more about how Jerome Foster II became the voice for one million young people.

Listen to How Teachers Can Help Students Feel Seen on “This Teenage Life”

High School Life

Listen to How Teachers Can Help Students Feel Seen on “This Teenage Life”

XQ  is proud to sponsor This Teenage Life (TTL), a podcast made by and for teens. TTL features diverse teen voices and helps them share their stories about issues…

3 Tips for Teachers to Foster Student Internships in High School

High School Life

3 Tips for Teachers to Foster Student Internships in High School

Did you know that you can get a paid internship in high school? These two students engaged in real-world projects with industry partners. Learn how.

The Writing, and Mission, is on the Wall at this Innovative High School

High School Life

The Writing, and Mission, is on the Wall at this Innovative High School

Walk the halls of Elizabethton High School, an XQ school in rural Tennessee, and you’re bound to be drawn to one of the many curious images on display through…

teacher in the classroom

High School Life

Equity In The Classroom: A Teachers Guide

Students come to class from many different backgrounds and lived experiences. Effective teachers determine how to create equitable classroom practices so that all learners can progress toward their goals. Equity…

How an Innovative High School Internship Led to a Job in Virtual Reality

High School Life

How an Innovative High School Internship Led to a Job in Virtual Reality

Skyler Hilton grew up in a low-income family in Elizabethton, Tenn. His family was like many families in rural America. They often struggled with unemployment and instability. However, Skyler had…

XQ-5-Ways-to-Center-Student-Leadership

High School Life

5 Ways to Center Student Leadership

During the pandemic, high school students stepped up. They navigated remote learning, cared for each other during tough times, and took action to dream and shape a…

5 Supports for Teacher Mental Health

High School Life

5 Supports for Teacher Mental Health

Teachers, this week we’re putting you at the center and focusing on educator mental health. Over the past year and a half, you have gone above and beyond to…

What Happened to Reading for Fun? And What Can We Do About It?

High School Life

What Happened to Reading for Fun? And What Can We Do About It?

You know you’ve got a problem when you’re afraid to check your screen time. Over the past year and a half, I’ve started dreading my weekly average report every Sunday, as the hours I spent on my phone each day steadily climbed with every month in lockdown. 

Redefining Failure to Embrace Student Learning

High School Life

Redefining Failure to Embrace Student Learning

This XQ school takes a bold approach and delivers a curriculum and school experience that’ll help students embrace failure as a part of real-world problem solving.

5 Resources for Back to School Preparation

High School Life

5 Resources for Back to School Preparation

Starting the Year With Students at the Center.

The Community is the Classroom – Now What?

High School Life

The Community is the Classroom – Now What?

This school makes the community the classroom, but that is more than just a sentiment. Learn just how this XQ school involves the entire community in rethinking high school.

Project-Based Learning is Rooted in Community at this Santa Ana High School

High School Life

Project-Based Learning is Rooted in Community at this Santa Ana High School

Curriculum and community go hand in hand at Círculos—an XQ school in Santa Ana, California.

Break Down Classroom Walls to Build Up Student Competencies

High School Life

Break Down Classroom Walls to Build Up Student Competencies

Learning can take place at any time and in any location. Check out how this XQ school made out-of-classroom learning experiences meaningful.

The First Graduates of this Brooklyn High School Prove that Perseverance Pays Off

High School Life

The First Graduates of this Brooklyn High School Prove that Perseverance Pays Off

Brooklyn Laboratory High School opened with family and parent insight at the core. This year they graduate a truly exceptional class of changemakers.

#XQMISTYCHALLENGE: Featuring the student winners of the XQ Dance Challenge ft. Misty Copeland

High School Life

#XQMISTYCHALLENGE: Featuring the student winners of the XQ Dance Challenge ft. Misty Copeland

#ARTIVISM: These Students Won the XQ Art + Activism Challenge ft. BMike

High School Life

#ARTIVISM: These Students Won the XQ Art + Activism Challenge ft. BMike

#Artivism: The Power of Art in Raising Student Activists

High School Life

#Artivism: The Power of Art in Raising Student Activists

Creativity and imagination are central to lifelong learning. Learn more about how cultivating imagination can empower students to create a better future.

These Students Won the XQ #MakeASongChallenge

High School Life

These Students Won the XQ #MakeASongChallenge

Submissions from XQ’s #MakeASongChallenge Reveal What Matters Most to Students Today

High School Life

Submissions from XQ’s #MakeASongChallenge Reveal What Matters Most to Students Today

In XQ’s #MakeASongChallenge, students explored the causes they’re passionate about through artivism: a blend of art and activism that promotes positive change.

Upbeat Academy: Music Education that Transforms Lives

High School Life

Upbeat Academy: Music Education that Transforms Lives

All students have the potential to do amazing things. This school gives students the tools they need to unleash creativity through music education and lead them to success.

5 Resources for Amplifying Student Voices and Experiences

High School Life

5 Resources for Amplifying Student Voices and Experiences

To rethink high school, we must create space for student voice. Here are 5 resources for you to use in your classroom this week.

COVID-19, Teen Stress, and How Educators Can Support Stress Management Today

High School Life

COVID-19, Teen Stress, and How Educators Can Support Stress Management Today

Hear from four social workers on the changing mental health landscape for teens, how their work has changed in remote learning, and how we can support our teens better.

Lucid Dreaming: Planning for a Better Future in a School Crisis

High School Life

Lucid Dreaming: Planning for a Better Future in a School Crisis

COVID-19 has disrupted education. Learn how to respond to the moment and transform the future through lucid dreaming.

10 Social Emotional Learning Tips for Educators in Distance Learning

High School Life

10 Social Emotional Learning Tips for Educators in Distance Learning

Remote learning presents many social emotional challenges for students, but teachers are facing similar challenges. Here's how we can support the wellbeing of our teachers.

Teen Activists on Elections, Civic Life, and Grassroots Organizing

High School Life

Teen Activists on Elections, Civic Life, and Grassroots Organizing

Between the pandemic, presidential election, and economic downturn—2020 has been a tumultuous year for everyone. But some high school students have taken matters into their own hands: by hitting the campaign trail.

Equitable Teaching Strategies: Asset Framing in Practice

High School Life

Equitable Teaching Strategies: Asset Framing in Practice

These High School Students are Learning Through Filmmaking

High School Life

These High School Students are Learning Through Filmmaking

Amidst remote learning, these students are engaging in deep projects and learning filmmaking along the way. Here's how.

Renée Fleming

High School Life

Renée Fleming

Michelle Morales

High School Life

Michelle Morales

student janay kelley spoken word artists

High School Life

Student Performs Powerful Spoken Word Poem About Graduation and Life

explore identity workshop with ashanti branch

High School Life

How to Find Your Identity: Workshop and Framework with Ashanti Branch

XQ Super School: Da Vinci RISE High

High School Life

This Student Went Through the Foster System. Now She’s Graduating.| XQ Students

World Teacher Day: Students Surprise Teachers With Messages

High School Life

World Teacher Day: Students Surprise Teachers With Messages

This Student Started a Project to Bring Her Community Together |  XQ Students

High School Life

This Student Started a Project to Bring Her Community Together | XQ Students

Mini Shark Tank: Middle School Female Entrepreneurs Pitch Business Ideas

High School Life

Mini Shark Tank: Middle School Female Entrepreneurs Pitch Business Ideas

students give motivational speeches to teachers

High School Life

Supporting Students Share Words of Motivation for Teachers During COVID-19 Pandemic

watch videos rethinktogether.com

High School Life

This Student is Learning Computer Science in High School | XQ Students

Explore Your Identity with Ashanti Branch (Lesson 2: Who Are You Listening To?)

High School Life

Explore Your Identity with Ashanti Branch (Lesson 2: Who Are You Listening To?)

Explore Your Identity with Ashanti Branch (Lesson 1: Who Are You?)

High School Life

Explore Your Identity with Ashanti Branch (Lesson 1: Who Are You?)

A Teacher’s Journey Toward Culturally-Relevant Teaching Practices

High School Life

A Teacher’s Journey Toward Culturally-Relevant Teaching Practices

This educator shares her journey, experience, and tips on how you can incorporate culturally responsive teaching in your school.

What Is a Restorative Justice Listening Circle and How to Use It

High School Life

What Is a Restorative Justice Listening Circle and How to Use It

Restorative justice circles are a tool to build empathy and share experiences with one another. Here’s how you can use this tool to foster connection.

Meet the Student Activists Leading the Country’s Protests for #BlackLivesMatter

High School Life

Meet the Student Activists Leading the Country’s Protests for #BlackLivesMatter

The fight for racial equity is being led by teens across the country. These are their stories.

Taking Up Space as a Black Woman Is a Revolutionary Act

High School Life

Taking Up Space as a Black Woman Is a Revolutionary Act

"Between the secure and loving walls, my parents built for me, I was taught to value my voice, understand my worth, and envision endless possibilities for my future."

How to Host a Virtual High School Graduation Ceremony

High School Life

How to Host a Virtual High School Graduation Ceremony

Due to COVID-19, seniors are missing out on a huge tradition. Here's a step by step guide for you to host a virtual graduation to honor seniors in your community.

5 Resources to Empower Youth Voice and Choice

High School Life

5 Resources to Empower Youth Voice and Choice

Students are the most important stakeholder in high school. Here are 5 resources to amplify their voices.

These “Tutor Teens” Launched a Business to Help Younger Students and Families Learn Remotely

High School Life

These “Tutor Teens” Launched a Business to Help Younger Students and Families Learn Remotely

These students used COVID-19 as an opportunity to help other students. Here's how they did it.

Student Voice: We Have an Opportunity to Re-imagine Our Future

High School Life

Student Voice: We Have an Opportunity to Re-imagine Our Future

This student activist shares why now is the time to rethink education so that every student succeeds.

Celebrate Your Everyday Heroes on Teacher Appreciation Day

High School Life

Celebrate Your Everyday Heroes on Teacher Appreciation Day

Everyday heroes are among us everyday — including in our classrooms. Here's one hero who teaches at a school in Nashville.

5 Ways for Students to Share Their Voice

High School Life

5 Ways for Students to Share Their Voice

Students today have a lot to say about their education. Here are ways we can be sure we're listening.

Student Poetry to Promote Youth Voice and Choice

High School Life

Student Poetry to Promote Youth Voice and Choice

This student from Indiana uses poetry to express what he's feeling in a different way. His poems even won him a poetry competition.

Hope Thrives From This High School’s Community Garden

High School Life

Hope Thrives From This High School’s Community Garden

How do you keep environmental justice at the core of your school when students are learning remotely? Here's what one school in Texas is doing.

Social Emotional Learning & Why It Matters in the Wake of COVID-19

High School Life

Social Emotional Learning & Why It Matters in the Wake of COVID-19

Social Emotional Learning is critical for success in college and career. Here’s why it matters and how to support mental health during remote learning.

Looking for a Reading List During Quarantine? Join the Conversation

High School Life

Looking for a Reading List During Quarantine? Join the Conversation

Looking for a new book to read this quarantine? Our editorial team has several suggestions to add to your reading list.

Student Shares All: How to Support Students With Disabilities

High School Life

Student Shares All: How to Support Students With Disabilities

Remote learning presents a different set of challenges for students with disabilities. Hear from one student on how we can support these students during COVID-19.

Student Voice: Racism against Asian Americans in the Wake of COVID-19

High School Life

Student Voice: Racism against Asian Americans in the Wake of COVID-19

Many Asian American students are experiencing discrimination and assaults since the outbreak of COVID-19. This high school student is sharing her experience.

Life After School Closures: High School Students Speak Out

High School Life

Life After School Closures: High School Students Speak Out

In person classes came to a halt in March 2020 as the world adapted to COVID-19. Here’s how students across the country are feeling.

How Coronavirus is Impacting Me as a High School Senior

High School Life

How Coronavirus is Impacting Me as a High School Senior

School closures due to COVID-19 are affecting students everywhere. Here’s how one student adapted to shelter in place at the end of her senior year.

Helping Your Teen Get the Most out of High School

High School Life

Helping Your Teen Get the Most out of High School

This parent sent their student to a new high school that connects students with their community. Here’s what the experience as a parent has been like.

Students Share What It’s Like to Learn in an Innovative High School

High School Life

Students Share What It’s Like to Learn in an Innovative High School

These three students come from three innovative schools that put students at the center. Here’s what it’s like to attend these schools.

How a class of young writers explored climate change through storytelling

High School Life

How a class of young writers explored climate change through storytelling

Here’s how students in New Orleans published a book of student writing, and learned about storytelling and climate change in the process.

It’s Been One Year Since I Led a Student Gun Protest. Are Things Better Now?

High School Life

It’s Been One Year Since I Led a Student Gun Protest. Are Things Better Now?

One year ago, Kenia Alonzo organized a walkout at her school. Has anything changed since then?

Books Inspiring Educators on National Author’s Day

High School Life

Books Inspiring Educators on National Author’s Day

We asked educators from across the country to share their favorite books for National Author's Day. Here are some books to add to your reading list.

13 Teacher Tips For Building Student Voice and Agency

High School Life

13 Teacher Tips For Building Student Voice and Agency

Giving students a voice in their education and the freedom to drive their learning is crucial when rethinking high school. Here are 13 tips to help your students gain agency in your classroom.

4 Students Describe Struggles Many Latinx Students Face

High School Life

4 Students Describe Struggles Many Latinx Students Face

These students discussed their Latinx identity impacts their high school experience. Here's how their school is supporting them.

8 Young Activists You Need to Hear From Today

High School Life

8 Young Activists You Need to Hear From Today

These 8 young women are changing the world through their activism work. Here’s their advice for young women who want to make an impact.

My Story as a Latinx High School Student

High School Life

My Story as a Latinx High School Student

This Memphis student shares how being Latinx has impacted her identity and her high school experience.

7 years later, I help others learn to love themselves

High School Life

7 years later, I help others learn to love themselves

Grace struggled with self image throughout high school. Now, her story inspires students today to love themselves. Here's how.

What is Latinx? Tracing Its History and Defining Its Meaning

High School Life

What is Latinx? Tracing Its History and Defining Its Meaning

The term “Latinx” is becoming more and more common. Let's talk about where it comes from, why it matters, and what it means to be a Latinx student.

Everyday Hero: What you’re going through now does not define you

High School Life

Everyday Hero: What you’re going through now does not define you

This student experienced homelessness, and now is going to his dream school. And he wants you to know that "...what you're going through now does not define you."

High School Life

Making an impact: From homeless high school valedictorian to Georgetown University grad

This student defied the odds and graduated from Georgetown, despite challenges. Here's her story

Four Books Your Students Will Love

High School Life

Four Books Your Students Will Love

We asked four XQ teachers to share their students' favorite books on #ReadABookDay.

Hard Work, Meet the DIY Girls: The story of an all-girl engineering team

High School Life

Hard Work, Meet the DIY Girls: The story of an all-girl engineering team

This LA-based nonprofit teaches STEM to 650 girls in elementary, middle, and high school. Here's how they do it, and what it looks like in practice.

Celebrating women’s equality from the computer lab

High School Life

Celebrating women’s equality from the computer lab

This student from rural Tennessee learned to code, and is teaching other young girls to do the same.

Everyday Hero: The Purpose of the Paint – Running for Women Without a Voice

High School Life

Everyday Hero: The Purpose of the Paint – Running for Women Without a Voice

When Rosalie Fish stepped up to the starting line, she was preparing to run for more than herself and her school. Find out why.

10 Reasons Why Teachers Should Tell Their Stories

High School Life

10 Reasons Why Teachers Should Tell Their Stories

Stories have the power to connect us, move us, and challenge us. Here are 10 reasons why educators should change hearts and minds through the power of storytelling.

Taking it to the streets in Cedar Rapids

High School Life

Taking it to the streets in Cedar Rapids

These students in Iowa learned about street art, history, and marketing by building a replica Berlin wall with a local museum. Here’s how.

What do students want? Ask them.

High School Life

What do students want? Ask them.

High school students tell us what’s working at their schools and what we can do to better prepare them for life beyond graduation.

Do not underestimate an immigrant

High School Life

Do not underestimate an immigrant

This student shares his story about being an immigrant, and how his community and high school in Oakland helped him adapt.

The Future Of Coastal Preservation Is In The Hands Of High Schoolers

High School Life

The Future Of Coastal Preservation Is In The Hands Of High Schoolers

Students at this New Orleans high school are learning hands-on the effects of climate change, and equipping themselves with the knowledge to solve it.

How a hot-dog stand is changing young people’s lives in Alabama

High School Life

How a hot-dog stand is changing young people’s lives in Alabama

This student-run hot dog stand in Alabama is teaching students valuable skills in high school. Find out how they've made an impact.

7 Quotes From March For Our Lives On The Power of Youth Voice

High School Life

7 Quotes From March For Our Lives On The Power of Youth Voice

The power of student voice matters. Our students shared inspiring messages and their words spoke volumes. Here are some of the most powerful quotes from March For Our Lives.

Want to create a more inclusive school? Give students a voice

High School Life

Want to create a more inclusive school? Give students a voice

Maryland high school students find on-campus forums make all the difference. Find out what giving students a voice does at this school.

Students are encouraged to fail in this brilliant business program for kids.

High School Life

Students are encouraged to fail in this brilliant business program for kids.

This program gives students the opportunity to be entrepreneurs and learn through failure. Learn how these students were able to fail forward.

Become a Member

Join our community where teachers, students, school leaders, and families can learn, engage, and lean on each other for support.

Join Now

Our Mission

We created Rethink Together 
to help high school students, educators, 
and families find and share resources.

Learn More about XQ