Some yearbook articles practically write themselves (looking at you, sports and activities), but a great yearbook will feature additional articles that give a holistic view of your high school’s student body. Coming up with ideas for these articles is as simple as considering what the students will want to remember.
We’ve broken down some potential ideas into categories. Even if you don’t use any of these exact ideas, we’re sure they’ll get your brain kicking into high gear.
School Life
Academics are important, but high school is also about socializing, gaining responsibility, and becoming an adult. Some of the most vivid memories are created outside of the classroom.
Most embarrassing moments
Hitting the snooze bar: do or don’t?
Homework style: git ‘er done or procrastinate?
Worst school-related nightmares
Locker or backpack?
Passing time during passing time
This year I was proud of…
Backpack must-haves
Favorite class experience
Lightbulb moments
Making time for everything
School uniforms: love or loathe
What’s your commute: busing, driving, or walking?
School rivalries: why we’re the best!
Morning routines
Coming of Age
Throughout high school, students are growing up. Each year brings unique challenges and changes. It’s fun to celebrate these milestones.
First concert
Getting your driver’s license
Rock the vote: politics in school
First jobs
Taking the ACT/SATs
What’s next?
Summer job earnings: spend or save?
Have you ever been grounded?
AP classes or college in the schools
Too old for toys?
Childhood foods you’ll never let go
Curfews
Doing chores
Naps: be a kid again
Leisure Time
Sometimes school is more about the fun over the fundamentals. Reserve some space to tell the stories that are happening when the students are kicking back and listening to cassettes on their boomboxes (they still do that, right?).
Constant communication: how many texts do you send in a day?
Current Events
One of the most fun aspects of the yearbook is that it is essentially a time capsule. Up the ante by overtly including current events, music, and trends of the year.
Music: best bands and favorite concert experiences
Dance moves of the year (The Git Up)
Knowing all the words to your favorite song
Movies and blockbusters
Seeing it first: midnight showings
Your go-to memes/gifs
New technology: wearable tech and hoverboards
Lunchtime
Whether it’s chatting with friends, playing games, or finishing up some late homework, a lot of stuff goes down in the cafeteria. With these ideas, you can focus on the food or the fun.
Healthy or not?
Best lunchtime traditions
Droolworthy school lunches
Who packs your lunch
The best playground games
Cafeteria workers tell all
What school food will be missed the most?
Who do you sit with during lunch and why?
If you were cooking for the school, what would you make?
People
The most interesting part of anything (including high school) is the people. There are loads of fascinating dynamics, talents, and relationships to explore.
Siblings
Nicknames
Unsung heroes: custodians, school nurses, and admin
Friends since...
Fresh faces: a spotlight on new teachers
Who do you look up to?
Hidden talents
How did you become friends?
Your biggest change in the last four years
Legacies: kids who go to the same school as their parents
Places
Every story needs a setting, but these ideas turn the setting into the story.
Rumors about the school: secret hallways, ghosts, hidden treasures
If you could change one thing about the school, what would it be?
The best restaurants in town
Regional specialties (growing up near the beach, Texas football, big city living, etc.)
Fun facts and quirks about the school building
Spring break locations
Where do you want to travel?
Must-see locations in town
Indoors or outdoors: where’s the fun?
Time of Year and Events
Over the course of the year, a lot of specific activities take place based on holidays or the season. You can use these triggers as a launch point to look back on the year.
Homecoming parade
Halloween: costumes and scares
Thanksgiving and being thankful
Seasonal activities: summer, fall, winter, spring
New Year’s Eve: school resolutions
Valentine’s day: love or loathe?
Can we have class outside?
Field trips
Science fair
Graduation
Categories Lead to Brainstorms
Hopefully some of these ideas will lead to some winning articles for your high school’s yearbook. If not, no biggie (we won’t take offense). You can still use these categories to springboard some new article ideas of your own design. Ask your students what they want to remember, and go from there.