Student Voice & Engagement
Join the YSD Student Senate – Applications Open Now!
Make Your Voice Count: Join the YSD Student Senate for 2025–26
Are you passionate about making a difference in your school? Do you want to help shape the future of the Yakima School District? Now is your chance to make your voice heard by joining the YSD Student Senate!
The Student Senate is a districtwide leadership group where students from all YSD high schools come together to:
-
Represent Your School – Share your peers’ ideas, concerns, and solutions
-
Work with YSD Leaders – Collaborate with district leadership on real decisions that affect students
-
Create Positive Change – Design and lead student-focused initiatives
-
Build Leadership Skills – Grow in public speaking, teamwork, and civic action
We believe every student voice matters. Whether you’re outgoing or quiet, experienced or just getting started, your perspective is important and welcome.
Who Can Join?
All students in grades 9–12 from A.C. Davis, Eisenhower, Stanton Academy, and Yakima Online (YOL) are encouraged to register. We want all voices included in shaping a better experience for every student in YSD.
You're Invited: May 21, 2025 Preview Meeting
Prospective Student Senators are invited to our final meeting of the 2024–25 school year on Wednesday, May 21 from 8:00–11:00 AM. This meeting will bring together current and future members to:
-
Reflect on this year’s work
-
Set the structure and focus areas for the 2025–26 school year
-
Begin brainstorming districtwide student-led initiatives
Your principal has approved your participation in this important districtwide student voice initiative during school hours. Transportation and permission forms will be provided after registration.
2025–26 Meeting Schedule
Summer Kickoff Meetings (Virtual)
-
July 15, 2025 – 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Google Meet)
-
August 20, 2025 – 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Google Meet)
In-Person Meetings (Location TBD)
-
October 22, 2025 – 8:00–11:30 AM
-
December 10, 2025 – 8:00–11:30 AM
-
February 25, 2026 – 8:00–11:30 AM
-
April 29, 2026 – 8:00–11:30 AM
District transportation will pick up students between 8:00 and 8:30 AM and return them to school by 11:30 AM.
With parent permission, students may also provide their own transportation if preferred.
How to Get Started
Complete the Student Senate registration form below to attend the May 21, 2025 preview meeting and take part in the 2025–26 Student Senate. A parent/guardian field trip form will be required for in-person events.
Make Your Voice Count – Join the YSD Student Senate!
About Student Voice
The Yakima School District believes that students are leaders in their education, deserve the right to feel safe and empowered in their school environment, and have valuable insights and opinions. We believe that the Yakima School District needs Student Voice to promote educational engagement, academic achievement, self-growth, and civic participation. The Yakima School District official definition of student voice is: the authentic communication of all students' perspectives and ideas, where students are empowered and student voice structures are implemented by the whole school community to advance educational equity for generations to come.
The Yakima School District meets collectively with a group of high school students to guide systemic work in the district. Students meet directly with board members, the superintendent, and community leaders. They provide their unique perspective, planning, and execution on district initiatives. This work is codesigned between students and staff and is intentionally student led, with students choosing priorities, solutions, and next steps.
The Student Voice Council is led by a small group of students who create agendas, plan implementation, and present to other students. These students meet more regularly and work more frequently with the board and superintendent. These students have led the Student Voice Council in presenting on school resource officers, balanced calendars, and student voice initiatives. They have also facilitated students, staff, and community members in crafting the YSD Equity Policy , equity policy measures, and a first of its kind Student Voice Policy draft.
Students across the district have participated in student voice circles. This work supports the Student Voice Council and Lead Fellows. Student voice circles are small student groups where students share their lived experiences, hopes, and dreams with teachers and school admin. After these sessions, the student stories are used to guide change at the school and district level. This work can be done shoulder to shoulder with students or by district staff. Student voice circles have resulted in accelerated facility upgrades, specialized learning weeks, student support adjustments, and classroom practice adjustments.
Students are in the middle of drafting a Student Voice Policy that would be the first of its kind in Washington and only the second in the nation (that we have been able to find). This policy would commit the district to involving students in planning their own education alongside staff while also having a say in the structures and systems of the district. It is our belief that students have the deepest and closest read on what is needed to improve our education system and, as such, they should be integral in improving the system. When students are involved in change, they also become more engaged and invested in the system. You can read the rough draft here and provide feedback in this google form.
