Areas of Focus
Youth Organizing, Civic Engagement, BPS, Social Emotional Learning, Decision-Making, Student Rights
Website: Youthonboard.org
Social Media:
Twitter: @BSACbuzz
Instagram: BSACbuzz
Facebook: Youth on Board, Boston Student Advisory Council
News & Media: http://www.youthonboard.org/news
Key Resources:
Since 1994, Youth on Board (YOB) has been a leader in the field of youth organizing in the Boston area and beyond.
YOB is a youth-led, adult supported program where young people have the space and tools to recognize and utilize the power they hold to dismantle political and economic structures that reinforce inequity. We believe in the power of students to transform their communities by recognizing that when young people are fully engaged—when their voices are heard, their opinions matter, and their unique perspective is respected—they commit themselves to making their schools, their communities, and their own lives better.
For resources on how to create youth-led, adult-supported spaces and organizing, please read through our publications page and read our latest thinking on Adultism.
Upcoming Events:
We welcome BPS high school students to join us for our first BSAC meeting in the BPS Bolling Building (Dudley Station) on September 24th from 4-6 PM.
Current BPS School Collaborations:
Youth on Board co-administers the Boston Student Advisory Council (BSAC) with the Office of Engagement of the Boston Public Schools. BSAC is a citywide body of elected student leaders representing BPS high schools. BSAC organizers work to identify and address pertinent student issues, thereby putting students at the center of the decisions that affect them the most. BSAC acts as the student union of the district, leading organizing efforts, forging relationships with district and city-leaders, impacting policy change, and transforming school culture across the board.
Opportunities for Engagement:
High School students in BPS can get involved through BSAC! We encourage at least two representatives per high school to join. Students that go through BSAC have the opportunity to receive academic credit and badges for their civic engagement.
There are a number of ways for teachers and administrators to get involved:
Contact Us:
Maria Estrada, BSAC Manager: mestrada4@bostonpublicschools.org
Rachel Gunther, Associate Director, Youth on Board: Rachel@youthobboard.org