The first line of the Ladue Schools Future-Ready Strategic Plan states, “Ladue Schools students are empowered to be agents of change.” Couple that with Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke’s vision of See. Serve. Connect. and you quickly understand the goal of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SAC). 

Each year, Dr. Wipke works with building administrators at Ladue Middle School and Ladue Horton Watkins High School to compile a list of students who display leadership ability and good character within the school environment. This diverse group of students is invited to be a part of the Student Advisory Council, which serves as an invaluable opportunity for Dr. Wipke to connect with students at the secondary level to share ideas, receive feedback, and answer questions Ladue Schools students may have. 

“As Superintendent, I am always looking for ways to enhance our district, and the Student Advisory Council is one of the ways I can do that by allowing more opportunities for student voices to be heard,” Dr. Wipke explains. “It’s a way for me to connect back with the students while hearing and understanding their daily experiences in Ladue Schools. These groups have made me a better superintendent by listening and learning from our discussions each time we meet.” 

In addition, the advisory councils have been working on special projects with Dr. Wipke and the Communications Department on ways to engage the student body with a drug prevention campaign entitled Don’t ‘Due Drugs. They will soon start another one on anti-bullying.

“My favorite part of SAC is connecting and collaborating with the students and staff of the Ladue School District,” detailed Alexandra Tsygankov, a senior at LHWHS who serves on the high school’s Student Advisory Council. “I never knew how much work was going on behind the scenes at Ladue, but after SAC, I am thankful to say we are in good hands. Our group has a culture of safety, compassion, and growth, aiming to improve our school district. It is also a way to bridge the gap between the student body and teachers regarding real-life topics that impact our school district and environment. It demonstrates that our Superintendent and Ladue Schools honestly care about our well-being, education, and growth.”

“The phrase ‘kids these days’ often has a negative connotation to it, but I can confidently say that "kids these days" are some of the best and brightest I've encountered during my nearly three decades in education. Their excellence gives me confidence in a bright future as they grow into responsible adults,” Dr. Wipke said.   

Ladue Schools is proud of these students for laying the foundation that all students can follow and become difference-makers in our community.