High School Life Archives | Rethink Together

Category: High School Life

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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
High School Life

Belonging and its critical impact on student mental health

As remote learning continues, it’s no secret that mental health is suffering. However, creating a sense of belonging can help students feel more connected.

Casey Pettit Director of Strategic Partnerships, Project Wayfinder
High School Life

These Students Won the XQ #MakeASongChallenge
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.

Ashley Wen Content Marketing Manager, XQ Institute
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Hana Beach Editorial Associate, XQ Institute
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.

Nithi Thomas Partner, The Learning Accelerator
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.

Lauren Vertrees Senior Associate for School Success, XQ Institute
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
High School Life

Equitable Teaching Strategies: Asset Framing in Practice
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
High School Life

Renée Fleming
High School Life

Michelle Morales
High School Life

Student Performs Powerful Spoken Word Poem About Graduation and Life
High School Life

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

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

World Teacher Day: Students Surprise Teachers With Messages
High School Life

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

Mini Shark Tank: Middle School Female Entrepreneurs Pitch Business Ideas
High School Life

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

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

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

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

Nicole Smith Restorative Justice Trainer-Consultant & Writer
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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."

Amari Pollard Writer and Audience Development strategist
High School Life

Why You Should Celebrate Black Joy on Juneteenth and Every Day

Black joy is an act of resistance against systems of oppression. Here's why celebrating Black joy is important – especially during Juneteenth.

Ann-Katherine Kimble Curriculum Writer and Designer at XQ
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Alliyah Logan Youth Advocate, Bronx, NY
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
High School Life

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

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

Dr. Lauren J Bierbaum Managing Director of Data, Research, & Policy, XQ Institute
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.

Hana Beach Editorial Associate, XQ Institute
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.

Josh Stern XQ Student Advisor
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.

Katrina Chan Student Photographer
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.

silvia li sam Growth and Marketing at XQ
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.

Roxie Richner Student Activist, Ann Arbor, MI
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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?

Kenia Alonzo
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Naomi Lara Math Teacher, Da Vinci RISE High
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.

silvia li sam Growth and Marketing at XQ
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.

Anna Calvo Student, Crosstown High School
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.

Grace Nesbitt @AnotherAcnePage on Instagram
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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."

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
High School Life

How to Write a Letter to the School Board

If you want your voice to be heard and to show your concern for your child and others in the community, writing a letter to the school board is an important step.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
High School Life

Four Books Your Students Will Love

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

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Veronica Watson XQ Student Advisor, Student at Elizabethton High School
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Carri Schneider Senior Editorial Director, XQ Institute
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

silvia li sam Growth and Marketing at XQ
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
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.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool
High School Life

How Bartleby Changed The Way I See My Own Education

This student helped design a school of the future, driven by student passion and real-world experience. Here’s her story.

Team XQ #ReThinkHighSchool

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