Humboldt County Office of Education: Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council

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In Spring 2025, the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) launched its inaugural Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council to ensure high school students from across the county had a direct role in shaping educational decisions. The goal of this first council was to co-create a sustainable, youth-led structure that centers student experience, shared governance, and authentic student leadership. The California Center for Rural Policy (CCRP) at Cal Poly Humboldt was contracted as evaluators to document and synthesize the Council’s formation and learning process during its planning phase. The current report serves as a record of Cohort I’s work, a guide for the Council’s implementation in Fall 2025, and a potential framework for other Humboldt County schools and districts interested in adopting a co-leadership model.

Over the course of five meetings between March and May 2025, a diverse group of 15 high school students representing multiple schools, districts, backgrounds, and identities convened to co-design the Council’s mission, structure, and function. These students participated in facilitated discussions, leadership activities, and collaborative planning sessions, culminating in the approval of a formal Statement of Purpose and the recommendation of a flexible, student-centered structure to guide future Councils.

Throughout the process, three major themes emerged:

Student Agency and Shared Governance

Students served as active co-creators of the Council. They helped design meeting formats, proposed structural norms, and gave input on real-time policy issues. HCOE staff emphasized transparency and respect, fostering a culture where student voice was treated as essential to the Council’s success.

Student Development and Adult Facilitation

Many students were engaging in leadership work for the first time. HCOE staff balanced support with restraint, providing scaffolds such as templates and facilitation roles while allowing students to guide the Council’s direction. Students built critical skills in leadership, collaboration, and policy analysis.

Lived Experiences in Humboldt Schools

Students shared firsthand accounts of the barriers they face in their educational environments, including racism, bullying, lack of cultural representation, economic hardship, and institutional distrust. These experiences underscored the urgent need for student-informed approaches to equity and inclusion.