The Student Advisory Council will meet with State School Superintendent Richard Woods several times during the 2026-2027 school year to discuss how state-level decisions affect students throughout Georgia.
DEADLINE & INSTRUCTIONS
Applications must be submitted by September 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted. GaDOE will contact selected students via email. All students can visit the Student Advisory Council webpage on October 2, 2026, at 10 a.m. to see the complete list of selected Student Advisory Council members. Please note that each year we typically receive hundreds more applications than we can accept. Not being selected for the Student Advisory Council does not mean the student's application did not meet the qualifications.
ELIGIBLE STUDENTS
During the 2025-2026 school year, as part of a pilot effort to broaden perspectives, the Superintendent invited two students from private schools to participate. Their perspectives enriched conversations and broadened our understanding of how education in Georgia impacts students across various settings, as well as how public school education can continue to innovate to meet the needs of all students. Participants consistently noted that hearing from students with different educational experiences led to more thoughtful discussions, greater appreciation for the work of educators and school staff, and a better understanding of the similarities and differences among Georgia's diverse learning environments.
Building on the success of that pilot, applications are now open to all Georgia students in grades 10-12 who are enrolled in public, private, or homeschool programs. Pending the receipt of qualified applications, two private school students and two homeschool students will be selected to join the Student Advisory Council alongside their public school peers.
Please note that we are seeking a range of students with unique perspectives. We include questions such as GPA to ensure we receive feedback from all students, not just those with the highest grades. There is no required GPA to participate in State School Superintendent Richard Woods's Student Advisory Council.
SERVICE PROJECTS
Each year, members of the Student Advisory Council are required to participate in a service project of their choice as part of their commitment to the organization. This project enables students to engage with their community, develop leadership skills, and make a positive impact on meaningful causes. The service project can vary widely, ranging from local community clean-up efforts and charity fundraisers to educational workshops and social advocacy campaigns. By participating in these initiatives, council members fulfill their service requirements and cultivate a sense of civic responsibility and teamwork. This experiential learning helps students understand the impact they can have on their community and encourages them to continue engaging in service activities beyond their time on the council.
MEETINGS
The 2026-2027 Student Advisory Council will meet four times on the following dates. Members are expected to attend all scheduled Student Advisory Council (SAC) meetings to demonstrate commitment to their roles and responsibilities and contribute effectively to the council's activities. GaDOE will provide overnight lodging for members who live more than 50 miles from the meeting location.
- October 2026
- January 2027
- March 2027
- April 2027
*We will notify selected students with specific dates once they are finalized.
CONTACT
Please submit any questions to students@doe.k12.ga.us. Please note that we send all communications with Student Advisory Council members and parents via email. You must include a valid email address that you monitor regularly and respond to emails from students@doe.k12.ga.us promptly.