Building Agency With Student-Led Meetings

At Casco Bay High School in Portland, Maine—an EL Education school—student voice isn’t just encouraged, it’s embedded in the fabric of the school’s culture. The school has multiple structures in place to help students feel engaged in the school community, but one of the key ways they bring this to life is through their student-led all-school meetings. Every Wednesday, small groups of students take turns leading the gathering—setting the agenda, sharing important announcements, showcasing student work, and ensuring that their voices set the tone—and shape the school community.

Each advisory group has multiple opportunities throughout the year to organize and run a meeting. In addition to being thoughtful about the content of the meeting, students handle the logistics. They plan carefully who is going to speak to specific topics and even have to set up and take down the chairs. The result? A space where students feel heard, gain confidence, and take ownership of their school experience. According to 12th-grade student Mardia, “School meeting is a time for people to share their work and gain confidence from it—because people are watching what you do.”

Casco Bay High School’s approach exemplifies how teachers and school leaders can actively empower students and cultivate a sense of responsibility. By giving students real opportunities to lead, they’re not just preparing them for the future—they’re demonstrating that their voices have impact now. As former Principal Derek Pierce explains, “The more we give kids the microphone, the more we trust and respect that their voice matters, the more they will bring respectful and trusted voices to our community.”

Find more ideas for implementing different types of student-led meetings from Alexandra Auriemma’s article for Edutopia, “How School Leaders Can Support Student Voice and Agency.” To see more videos about this school, visit the Casco Bay High School page on Edutopia.