A student publication serves several important functions for a school community:
- It provides a platform for students to express their ideas, creativity, and perspectives. Student publications allow young writers, artists, and thinkers to have their voices heard and share their work with their peers.
- It develops important journalistic and editorial skills. Participating in a student publication teaches valuable skills like research, interviewing, writing, editing, layout/design, and media production – skills that are valuable regardless of a student’s future career path.
- It fosters a sense of community and school pride. A successful student publication can help unite a diverse student body and faculty by highlighting shared experiences, important school events, student achievements, and the unique culture of the institution.
- It serves as a historical record. Student publications create an archive of the school’s activities, issues, and evolution over time, which can be valuable for future students and researchers.
- It can influence school policies and decisions. When done well, a student publication can act as a constructive watchdog, raising awareness of important issues and holding school administrators accountable.