Student Statements

In the statements linked below, secondary students in Massachusetts provide their answers to the question: “What do you need in order to do well in school?” The students express what is most important to them about school and share suggestions for what could be done to improve their schools.

Many of these students have shared their statements as testimony at legislative briefings and have designed and carried out advocacy actions in their schools and communities to help improve their schools.

2024 Student Statements

Dieunie

It’s like a one-sided relationship where the only side you see talking is the adults stating things that don’t add up to their actions. Read Dieunie’s Statement

Jonathan

We’re told to memorize instead of learn. Read Jonathan’s Statement

Jose

The world has changed a lot, but classrooms haven’t changed at all. Read Jose’s Statement

Richard

It often seems like too much to handle. Visit Richard’s Landing Page

Rahama

Hijabs are worn to protect the beauty of a woman, keep evil eyes away. Hijabs show modesty and just being a good person. Read Rahama’s Statement

Maryan

I want our school to humanize the way it addresses smoking and vaping issues. Read Maryan’s Statement

Ezequiel

The school needs places where students can talk to adults openly with only necessary reporting. Read Ezequiel’s Statement

Kaitlyn

As a student, I always try to be nice to my teachers, and I continued to try in this class, but my teacher responded in ways that felt mean. Visit Kaitlyn’s Landing Page

Kat

Schools should encourage their teachers and staff to look out for signs within students. Read Kat’s Statement

Jyn

If school really felt like it was FOR students, it would be easier as students to be engaged. Read Jyn’s Statement

Justice

Who better to solve the problem than the people affected by it?. Visit Justice’s Landing Page

Hailey

Mr. Johnson said I could be more that my past, today I’m proud to say I believe him. Read Hailey’s Statement

Ethan

Being aggressive against bullying is a good thing. But when you’re aggressive without discretion, it becomes harmful to all parties involved. Visit Ethan’s Landing Page

Nelly 2024

Being an openly gay Latino student already comes with challenges, but the absence of a clear community of individuals going through similar struggles has had a detrimental impact on my education. Visit Nelly’s Landing Page

Adam

The first thing I noticed was the quietness of the school - and I don’t mean a scared quiet. Visit Adam’s Landing Page

Chloe

I hope to encourage others to point out issues that they face daily in their school communities. Visit Chloe’s Landing Page

Amelia

Though our school emphasizes academics, at the same time, our school lacks the mental health support necessary for students to achieve those high expectations and follow through. Read Amelia’s Statement

Scarlett

I think many adults don’t understand how students are negatively impacted by a lack of strong adult support or guidance. Read Scarlett’s Statement

Ariyana

In elementary school, I was bullied for my appearance, which has impacted me in many ways—now I feel like I can’t look at myself the same or feel as confident as I did as a kid. Read Ariyana’s Statement

Jisella

Many schools demand students adhere to their rules and regulations while leaving no room for them to advocate for themselves. Read Jisella’s Statement

Lauren

I notice that if you don’t fit this stereotype for our school then your experience in our school and even your learning is going to be different. Read Lauren’s Statement

Kasey

I found that through studying languages, I can learn about other people, other cultures, and new perspectives. Read Kasey’s Statement

Avari

Sometimes I feel like I am living in a constant loop of work, where there is absolutely no room in my brain for anything but thinking about what homework awaits me and what I need to be getting done. Read Avari’s Statement

Emmalyn

For many school systems, especially those that are less diverse, many students face unfair prejudice and segregation from their peers due to lack of education and ignorance. Read Emmalyn’s Statement

Adelyn

Many students are grappling with anxiety, overwhelmed by the demanding schedules and responsibilities of school life. Not every student feels comfortable or able to share their anxieties and emotions in general. Therein lies the need for a dedicated space within our schools—a nook. Read Adelyn’s Statement

Calista

For teachers to start taking students seriously, they need to understand that students have lives outside of school. Read Calista’s Statement

Ralf

An integrated curriculum that evenly distributes assignments across both shop and academics would alleviate stress from students, making education both more engaging and effective. Read Ralf’s Statement

Maundy

An integrated curriculum that evenly distributes assignments across both shop and academics would alleviate stress from students, making education both more engaging and effective. Read Maundy’s Statement

Addison

It feels like the are treating us like robots, and no one really cares about the class because students don’t feel like the teacher cares about them. Read Addison’s Statement

Demgly

Being told to leave the classroom in front of everyone can be deeply humiliating. More often than not, these classmates end up wandering the hallways and missing out on learning. Read Demgly’s Statement

Grace

The existence of relationships are important to students when staff are a part of their life for almost 180 days. Read Grace’s Statement

Jeziel

Because of underfunding, the only options the school has for addressing student behavior are ineffective options like metal detectors and suspensions. Read Jeziel’s Statement

Naima

I believe the grading system in place at my school directly impedes the improvement of the student body. Read Naima’s Statement

2023 Student Statements

Adam

It‘s important to feel safe in a place that you learn; to know that you are protected when you’re in this environment for almost your entire teenage life. Read Adam’s Statement

Alex

The administration should listen to students and teachers. Read Alex’s Statement

April

Supporting relationships, self-regulation, and well-being is the way to reduce fights and create safe schools. Read April’s Statement

Careliz

If we have gender neutral bathrooms, students will feel safer to express their gender identity. Read Careliz’s Statement

Chloe

Just because schools “listen” to students doesn’t mean they will really “hear” them. Read Chloe’s Statement

Ethan

After the last two years, getting thrown into high school really feels like we are in a shaken up soda can that’s ready to explode.. Read Ethan’s Statement

Heba

When schools have opportunities for students to voice their concerns, it shows students that there’s someone willing to listen. Read Heba’s Statement

Jaliyah

It’s important for me to learn in an environment that prioritizes cultural diversity and inclusion. Read Jalyiah’s Statement

Jefferson

All students should have the ability and opportunity to develop positive relationships with their teachers. Read Jefferon’s Statement

Joshua

There is no point in having a class without a qualified teacher. Read Joshua’s Statement

Justice

One of my biggest passions in life is helping people feel included and valued. Read Justice’s Statement

Kaitlyn

When I am stressed and cannot focus in class, it impacts my learning. Read Kaitlyn’s Statement

Marielys

Substitutes should be people who are fit for a given class so they can teach what they know. If not, students will struggle and their grades will go down. Read Marielys’ Statement

Neishaly

Upping security doesn’t help us feel safer, it scares kids. Read Neishaly’s Statement

Nelly

We get a lot of education about racist slurs, but nothing about homophobic or transphobic slurs. Read Nelly’s’ Statement

Richard

I think that the authority in general in schools has to change. Read Richard’s Statement

2022 Student Statements

Abelina

We need to learn how to communicate with new people around us without technology as a shield. Read Abelina’s Statement

Adam

It made me feel comfortable enough to be who I truly am in that classroom. Read Adam’s Statement

Alexis

“SAFE” does not mean the same thing to the adults in our building that it does to our students. Read Alexis’ Statement

Amayra

Without motivation, there is no progress. Without progress, there is no learning. The purpose of school is to learn, so schools must learn to motivate their students. Read Amayra’s Statement

D’Marcos

I have also experienced the feeling of not being listened to when I have gone to guidance for personal problems Read D’Marcos’ Statement

Chloe

A human is a human no matter who you are. Read Chloe’s Statement

Ethan

When teachers create a positive—emotionally safe classroom—I see that I learn best: this is the optimal learning environment for students. Read Ethan’s Statement

Jaydah

When teachers recognize the good work that you do, you bond with the teacher. It creates a community, which is something that was missing during the pandemic. Read Jaydah’s Statement

Jaylee

I think one thing you would hear over and over again is ‘it’s all about the relationships. Read Jaylee’s Statement

Juan

I have a dream that one day all students will look forward to going to school. Read Juan’s Statement

Melanie

Students must have a voice in deciding how to make things better. Read Melanie’s Statement

Oreoluwa

I wish we felt more listened to. How would you feel as a student if the school dismissed concerns about your safety? Read Oreoluwa’s Statement

Sean

With the voices of every student, regardless of who they are, we can create a new school community that is built for everyone. Read Sean’s Statement

Sophie

I wish all of my classmates had the same opportunities to form positive relationships with teachers. Read Sophie’s Statement

Taeyah

Educators should also learn coping skills to deal with one’s self or colleagues. Read Taeyah’s Statement

Theresa

“One way to make schools more safe and supportive is to make sure that teachers take time to learn about students’ experiences.” Read Theresa’s Statement

Trish

After spending so much time learning in isolation, schools should provide students with more opportunities to connect with each other in the classroom. Read Trish’s Statement

Valancia

School does not do enough to help students ease their stress or address what’s happening in their lives outside of school. Read Valancia’s Statement

2020 Student Statements

Alice

For me, one of the most important parts of a safe and supportive school is that all the adults in the building understand how to care for and support all of the students. Read Alice’s Statement

Briar

I haven’t always been in a school that makes openness and support a priority. My past schools approached that goal in a way that was not actually helpful. They did not focus on me as an individual; I felt more like they herded us like cattle. Read Briar’s Statement

Chelsea

We all need and deserve access to positive relationships, a sense of well-being, community, and our own potential. Read Chelsea’s Statement

Chinyere

From our perspective, the academic levels create more division than unity, which impedes everyone’s learning. Read Chinyere’s Statement

Chris

I feel like if more teachers understood our backgrounds, things would go better because teachers would know how to talk to students and have relationships with them. Read Chris’ Statement

Corine

I think adults at my school know what kinds of changes need to be made to help students succeed: like not just caring about students’ test scores but also their success as holistic people. Read Corine’s Statement

Ethan

Teachers play a very important role in how we feel as students. Read Ethan’s Statement

Gabriela

In order to make connections with students, in order for them to feel supported like I did, you first have to hear them. This means hearing students’ voices in the classroom. Read Gabriela’s Statement

Jaylee

If you have adult mentors at school encouraging you and reminding you that you have potential, you start to believe them. Read Jaylee’s Statement

Jonathan

With safety, cooperation and community – rather than just memorization – all of our students will learn and achieve so much more. Read Jonathan’s Statement

Kellin

Trans kids shouldn’t be scared to go to school, and they shouldn’t have to be put under more stress feeling like they need to educate their peers. Read Kellin’s Statement

Lonelypilot

I would like to talk about the importance of creating a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth at school. Read Lonelypilot’s Statement

Michelle

My peers and I find it impossible to focus in class if we do not feel supported, so spreading this feeling throughout the building would help us all succeed. Read Michelle’s Statement

Omari

I feel like there is a difference between doing the work just to do it and doing the work to understand it, and I know that I get more out of classes when my teachers focus on the latter. Read Omari’s Statement

Taeyah

As students, some of us spend more time with teachers and counselors than we do with our own families. They are the people who teach us and set us up for our futures. We want to feel understood and accepted. Read Taeyah’s Statement

Trish

It is vital for us to feel connected and have strong relationships with our teachers. If the teachers and students have a stronger personal bond, then it makes it easier for us to learn in class. Read Trish’s Statement

Anonymous

The human relationships are what really matter and will truly build the community between students and staff in school. Without them, all the programs in the world won’t be able to help. Read Anonymous’ Statement

Anonymous-2

Over Zoom, being in my math class has been kind of stressful. My new teacher just goes super fast and I’m trying to keep up on assignments, but it’s hard. I know that it would be better if I was in class. Read Anonymous-2’s Statement