A student council is an administrative organization of students in different educational institutes ranging from elementary schools to universities and research organizations around the world. It is a group of elected and volunteer students working together with an adult advisor within the framework of a constitution or bylaws to provide a means for student expression and assistance in school affairs and activities, give opportunities for student experience in leadership, and encourage student/faculty/community relations. Student councils offer a representative structure for students, through which they can become involved in the affairs of the school, working in partnership with school management, staff, and parents for the benefit of the school and its students.

The main purpose of a student council is to address school issues and organize school activities. Through projects and activities, student councils work to promote citizenship, scholarship, leadership, human relations, and cultural values. Student councils often serve to engage students in learning about democracy and leadership. In some schools, a student council representative is assigned to each class. That person passes on requests, ideas, and complaints from students in that class to the student council. In other schools, the elected Class Officers are automatically members of the student council.

In summary, a student council is a group of student leaders who work with an adult advisor to collaborate with others to impact their school community, which impacts their city or town, which impacts their state, which impacts their country, which changes the world.