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Student Life

Student Council.

Represent  ·  Lead  ·  Govern

Classical education forms mind and character through great stories, steady habits, and honest conversation. At NOCA, leadership is no different. Student Council exists to serve the student body, cultivate school tradition, and practice the art of sound governance. As a council member, you won't merely represent your classmates — you'll learn to represent others with dignity and integrity, to lead with honor and magnanimity, and to govern with wisdom and discipline.

Cicero Denounces Catiline in the Roman Senate, Cesare Maccari, 1889 — Cicero stands before the assembled Senate, addressing his fellow senators as they listen, some visibly troubled by his accusation.
Cicero Denounces Catiline in the Roman Senate Cesare Maccari · 1889

Why it matters

An old idea: govern by persuasion, not force.

Long before student councils, there was the Senate — a body of citizens who governed by argument, not decree. Cicero's speech against Catiline is one of history's great examples of representation done well: a single citizen, speaking plainly and courageously, on behalf of the common good.

NOCA's Student Council is built on the same premise, at a smaller scale. Council members practice the same habits — careful listening, honest speech, and the discipline to govern well — years before most people ever get the chance to.

What council service asks of you

The three pillars of council service.

Represent.

Give voice to your peers with clarity, integrity, and wisdom. A true representative listens carefully, speaks truthfully, and bridges the needs of the student body with the mission of the school.

Lead.

Set the standard in conduct and character. Whether establishing school traditions, presenting to the school community, or fostering personal relationships, leaders elevate the culture of NOCA through action and example.

Govern.

Learn the principles of parliamentary order, deliberate thoughtfully, and exercise virtue in decision-making. Effective governance requires civil discourse and commitment to the common good.

Positions & eligibility

Who can run.

President & Vice President
Open to Grades 11 and 12
Secretary & Treasurer
Open to Grades 9–12
Qualifications
Cumulative GPA of at least 3.75. Additional qualifications are set forth in the application.

2026–27 cycle

Important dates.

Declaration of Intent
Friday, August 28, 2026
Candidate speeches
Friday, Sept 4 (Assembly)
Student election
Friday, Sept 4 (Homeroom)
Swearing-in ceremony
Monday, Sept 14 (Assembly)

"He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander."

Aristotle, Politics

Ready to run?

How to apply.

Download the application, complete it with two teacher endorsements and a parent signature, and submit it by 5:00 pm on Thursday, August 27th — by emailing it to stuco@nocacademy.org or submitting it directly to Mr. Keith Simpson, the Student Council advisor. Application packets are also available in the Main Office.