The Social Justice Academy in Boston did powerful work engaging students as decision-makers.
Through sixteen student-created committees, students were involved in a variety of functions throughout the school, covering everything from school decor to student/adult relationships.
According to one study, “each week an entire period is devoted to committee meetings and advisories; committees meet once a week for fifty minutes and have two teachers acting as advisors. Twice a month, two student representatives from each committee meet with [Youth On Board] staff for team-building activities and sharing of committee information.” (Joselowsky and Aseltine, 2008)