The Mastery Student Advisory Council (MSAC) is the fulfillment of a dream of Mastery Schools CEO Dr. Joel D. Boyd to give student leaders a seat at the table in developing the Mastery experience. Students from our first MSAC cohort recently gathered at Pennovation Works for a day of brainstorming and collaboration. Chief Equity Officer Dr. Saliyah Cruz, Senior Director of High School Redesign Kevin Zimmer, Project Manager of Equity Lakyrra Magee-Ruffin, and other Mastery leaders welcomed more than 30 students from across the network, thanking them for accepting the invitation to be a critical part of creating change. Dr. Boyd expressed that our One Team values do not happen without student input, as they are welcomed co-participants in their educational journey. 

During the launch event, students were divided into working groups, where they were asked to share details about their experiences with their school’s English and math curricula, postsecondary planning resources, workforce development programs, culture supports, extracurriculars, and athletics.  

Student leaders were excited to offer their suggestions and share ideas to improve the student experience at campuses and across the network. Their ideas included requests for programming connected to real estate, architecture, engineering, performing arts, and more. Miriam Coriano, an 8th-grade student at Gratz Prep Middle, spoke on behalf of her classmates, recommending the incorporation of more Hispanic-centered book options to help increase student engagement in English courses. Another student confirmed that empowerment is what students need to take full advantage of the network’s opportunities. 

Shoemaker 12th-grade student Laylah Turner shared that her interest in the advisory council stemmed from her current leadership position as Student Government Association President. A Mastery student since kindergarten, she appreciates that MSAC will allow her and her classmates to actualize their potential as leaders and influence meaningful change. 

A follow-up meeting with students is scheduled for spring 2026 to provide an update on the implementation of students’ ideas and recommendations.