Student Engagement

In Atlanta Public Schools, student engagement represents the degree of attention, curiosity, interest, optimism, and passion that students demonstrate throughout their learning journey. It extends beyond class participation—it reflects their motivation to learn, lead, and contribute meaningfully to their schools, communities, and the broader world.

---

Purpose – The Why

The purpose of fostering student engagement is to build a culture of active participation, empowerment, and leadership that strengthens both schools and district offices. By centering student voice and agency, APS seeks to ensure that every student feels seen, heard, and valued—deeply connected to their learning and inspired to shape their own success.

This work directly supports APS’s 2030 Strategic Plan Pillars:

• We Are Caring for Every Child – by creating inclusive environments where every student feels a sense of belonging and purpose.

• We Are Sparking Student Curiosity – by cultivating engaging learning experiences that connect to students’ passions and aspirations.

• We Are Empowering Leaders and Educators – by ensuring students are co-designers of their educational experience, not just recipients.

---

Vision – Our Hopes

Our vision for student engagement is to nurture a vibrant, inclusive, and student-centered district where all learners are inspired and empowered to take ownership of their education. We aspire to develop students who are confident, curious, and compassionate leaders—equipped with the academic, social, and emotional skills to thrive in school, in life, and as contributors to a just and thriving community.

Aligned with our 2030 goals, student engagement in APS means that:

• Every student has trusted adults and authentic opportunities to lead.

• Every school provides purposeful pathways for student voice and choice.

• Every learner is prepared and empowered to imagine—and help build—the future of Atlanta Public Schools.

---

Student Voice Structures 

Students are recognized as active partners and leaders in their learning and in district decision-making. Student voice is intentionally embedded throughout the district—from identifying needs and priorities, to co-designing solutions, to providing feedback on implementation and impact.

Through structured avenues for student voice, including districtwide student surveys and formal advisory and leadership bodies such as school-based Student Government Associations (SGA), and district-level groups such as the Student Advisory Council (SAC), and the Middle School Leadership Alliance (MSLA), and through monthly Office Hours with the Superintendent, students offer meaningful input that informs district planning and continuous improvement. Insights gathered through these groups are directly connected to work around school climate, instructional practices, and student supports, ensuring that student perspectives shape policies, programs, and systems that influence academic success and overall student experience.

In Atlanta Public Schools, student voice is not just about giving students a chance to speak—it’s about giving them a genuine role in shaping their educational experience. The Spectrum of Student Voice, developed by Adam Fletcher and further expanded by Toshalis and Nakkula (2012), provides a framework for understanding the different levels of power, participation, and partnership that students can have in decision-making.

The spectrum illustrates how schools can move from student expression to student agency, shifting from listening to students to leading with them. It challenges educators and leaders to go beyond tokenism and ensure that students are recognized as full partners in learning, leadership, and systemic improvement.