by Jay Chen
What is Student Leadership?
When we think about leadership in education, our minds often go to teachers guiding a classroom or administrators steering a school. Yet, student leadership—though not a new concept—can sometimes be underestimated in its potential impact. Just as principals inspire staff to pursue a shared vision, and teachers empower students to reach their fullest potential, students, when given the right guidance and encouragement, can play a transformative role in shaping school culture. At its core, student leadership is about young people who, through commitment and positive action, build a more connected, vibrant, and engaging school community.
Reflecting on Your Early Stages of Leadership:
I anticipate that many reading this are leaders in their own fields, whether in the classroom or beyond. Do you recall when your leadership journey began? Taking you back to high school (or university if that feels more relevant 😊), what did leadership look like for you? Were you part of any clubs or committees? Did you enjoy leading your peers? What were some of your strengths and weaknesses in terms of leadership skills? Was there a teacher, or perhaps the school as a whole, that provided you with opportunities for growth and discovery as a leader?
Reflecting on my high school experience, I was generally an engaged student, but I did not yet possess the skills one might associate with an effective leader. I was involved in many of my school’s athletic teams—track, basketball, cross country, and badminton—as well as a member of the athletic council. However, it wasn’t until my PE teacher nominated me to participate in a one-week leadership camp during the summer that my interest in leadership truly began to awaken.
The camp brought together student-athletes from across the Greater Toronto Area, and many of the activities focused on team building and breaking barriers. What I recall and value most was when my camp counselor visited us for “story time.” His words of encouragement and his caring nature were truly inspirational, leaving a lasting impression on me.
Before attending the camp, I was shy, lacked confidence in building relationships, and had little understanding of the potential impact strong leadership could have on peers and the broader school community. Afterward, while I was still shy and hesitant in my interactions, I became deeply curious about the meaning of leadership and its power to create positive outcomes for others. Looking back, I recognize that the opportunity my PE teacher gave me was one of the pivotal experiences that shaped who I am today and why I believe so strongly in the importance of student leadership.
What about you? Looking back on your own high school or university years, what opportunities or mentors first helped you see yourself as a leader?
Why Student Leadership Matters?
Student leadership has the power to shape and elevate school culture. In this context, school culture refers to the values, relationships, and shared practices that define how students and teachers see themselves within the learning community. A healthy school culture not only strengthens pride and belonging but also supports student retention and recruitment by making the school a place where people genuinely want to be.
Principals and administrators often focus on lesson quality, parent relationships, and resource allocation when working to build a school’s reputation and sustainability. These are vital, but schools also need to invest in developing student leadership. When students are given the opportunity to lead, they inspire their peers and teachers alike, proving that the heart of a strong school lies not only in its programs but in its people.
Take, for instance, the student union. In most schools, it represents students who are proactive about community building and advocacy. With proper support and guidance, the student union can initiate events, amplify student voices, and create meaningful experiences that foster connection. When students feel their contributions matter, they develop a stronger sense of loyalty and commitment to the school.
Teachers, meanwhile, may dedicate themselves to academic instruction and preparing students for university admission, but classroom learning alone cannot fully shape how students see their role in a community. Encouraging student leadership—whether through clubs, service projects, or peer mentoring—helps students recognize their own potential and gain the confidence to succeed academically and socially. As students take ownership of their school community, they not only enrich their own experience but also elevate the experience of those around them.
In the end, student leadership is not a “nice-to-have”—it is a cornerstone of a thriving school. By nurturing leaders among students, schools cultivate a culture of pride, belonging, and purpose, ensuring that students don’t just attend school, but truly become part of it.
What are Researchers Telling Us about Student Leadership?
There are inevitable values in developing student leadership, and many working in a school setting have likely witnessed its impact firsthand. According to the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), when students are actively involved in shaping the culture of the school, the entire environment improves—socially, emotionally, and academically (Association for Middle Level Education, n.d.). Student leaders contribute positively by creating opportunities for participation and belonging that would not exist without their energy, positivity, and initiative.
Socially and emotionally, dedicated and passionate student leaders play a vital role in engaging their peers in activities, allowing students to move beyond their limited circles and build broader networks of interaction. This is particularly important for students who may feel isolated or find it difficult to make friends. With the support of student leaders, opportunities for connection and friendship naturally increase. Academically, student leaders often extend their impact by offering services such as peer tutoring to support at-risk students. More importantly, when an engaging and inclusive school community is established, students are more motivated, focused, and collaborative within the classroom. In short, the impact of student leadership is far-reaching, with its spirit evident in every corner of the school community.
Research further supports these claims. A 20-year study on the pedagogies and outcomes of formal leadership programs concluded that active participation in school life fosters leadership efficacy, communication and teamwork skills, civic responsibility, community-mindedness, and identity development (Allen & Roberts, 2024). For instance, communication and teamwork skills are strengthened when students negotiate possibilities, explore creativity, and learn to work effectively with others. Don and Ibrahim (2019) similarly argue that student involvement in co-curricular activities leads to the development of life skills that prepare students for success in both higher education and the workplace. Together, these studies emphasize that investing in student leadership extends learning beyond the classroom and contributes to holistic student growth.
How’s Student Leadership at Your School?
Every school has its own set of values, so student leadership priorities may differ. One thing is certain: student leadership matters, and it’s worth investing in. Does your school have an extra-curricular coordinator managing all student activities? Do clubs run at least once a week? Is there funding to support student-run events? Are workshops offered by teachers or administrators to train students to be effective leaders? What unique strategies does your school use to support student development and engagement?
At my current school, we have implemented several initiatives to foster student leadership. Our Student Affairs Office runs major events and oversees the Student Union, ensuring students have fun on campus and maintain a positive relationship with the school. We also have an extra-curricular coordinator who supervises all student clubs, offering student leaders a platform to run interest-based programs and initiatives.
Through these structures, our aim is to shift students from passivity to proactive engagement—promoting a culture of togetherness. This year, for example, students receive volunteer hour waivers, as part of graduation requirements, for participating in clubs. While we’ve seen some success, we hope that in the coming years, more students will engage out of self-motivation rather than incentives.
Student leadership is key to building an engaged and vibrant learning community. I’d love to hear about the amazing things your school is doing in student leadership development: https://forms.gle/hS2B6d4NTJ8Vo8eK6
How Can You Support Student Leadership?
When teachers and school administrators create leadership opportunities for students, the impact is often felt throughout the learning community. Bush (2024), in his review of collected evidence, highlights a positive correlation between school leadership and student outcomes. He notes that when leadership is shared—for example, through a distributed leadership approach—more students are empowered to contribute, fostering a culture of engagement and inclusivity.
Reflecting on my own high school experience, I remember how a PE teacher’s trust helped shape my leadership pathway. Many of my peers who participated in leadership conferences also benefited, ultimately playing a role in building a stronger, more vibrant school community.
There are several ways schools can actively support student leadership development:
- Provide Opportunities
Leadership begins with opportunities. These might be within the classroom—such as serving as a class monitor—or in extracurricular settings, like holding an executive role in the Terry Fox Club. Such experiences challenge students, reveal their strengths and weaknesses, and spark growth. By giving students the chance to lead, we not only help them discover their passions and commitment but also allow their best qualities to shine, inspiring those around them. - Offer Mentorship
In the early stages of leadership, students need guidance, encouragement, and someone they can trust to share their ups and downs. A mentor provides this support. With mentorship, student leaders gain confidence in their roles and are more likely to extend that support to others, creating a ripple effect of leadership. - Invest in Leadership
Investing in student leadership is not just about money or facilities—though those matter. The most valuable investment is often time. Spending an extra 30 minutes connecting with student leaders, attending after-school activities, or joining students in event planning all signal that their work is meaningful. These small investments can have lasting impact.
Supporting student leadership is not about following a set recipe—it’s about creating an environment where leadership can grow. This blog is an invitation for reflection and a call to action. Whether you are a teacher, counselor, or principal, your efforts matter in shaping a school culture that celebrates student contribution and empowers future leaders.
Reference
Bush, T. (2024). School leadership and student outcomes: What do we know? Educational Management, Administration & Leadership, 52(1), 3-5. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432231210364
Allen, S. J., & Roberts, D. C. (2024). A systematic review: Pedagogies and outcomes of formal leadership programs for college students. Cogent Education, 11(1), 2314718. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2314718
Association for Middle Level Education. (n.d.). Student leadership is fundamental to positive school climate. AMLE. https://www.amle.org/student-leadership-is-fundamental-to-positive-school-climate/
Don, Y., & Ibrahim, I. (2019). The effectiveness of teacher leadership and students involvement in co-curricular activities in Malaysia secondary school. Borneo International Journal of Islamic Studies, 1(2), 93–112. https://doi.org/10.21093/bijis.v1i2.1502
Jay Chen, Canadian Secondary Principal, Huamei International School, Guangzhou
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