Sacramento, California – Sacramento teenagers with ideas for their city will soon have a chance to turn them into recommendations at City Hall. Registration is open for the winter 2027 Semester @ City Hall program, which puts young people’s concerns at the center of a hands-on civic experience.
The opportunity comes with more than a closer look at local government. Students who complete all requirements will receive a certificate and a monetary stipend, while taking an issue they care about from research to a presentation before the Sacramento Youth Commission.
The City of Sacramento’s Youth, Parks, & Community Enrichment Department is inviting eligible high school students to join the program. Registration runs through November 29 at 11:59 p.m., according to the activity listing.
Semester @ City Hall is designed for young people interested in government, politics, leadership or understanding how the city works. It also brings together students from across Sacramento, giving participants opportunities to meet peers while developing their own voices as advocates.
The city describes the program as a five-week civic engagement experience. Regular sessions are scheduled for Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., beginning January 5 and continuing through January 28, 2027. Activities will take place at New City Hall, 915 I Street.
Throughout the program, students will research an issue that matters to them, develop a possible solution and prepare findings and recommendations. Their work will culminate in presentations to the Sacramento Youth Commission on February 1, connecting the classroom-style sessions with an opportunity to speak directly about their ideas.
Participants must be high school students who live within Sacramento city limits. The stated age range is 16–18, and students must be 16 by the conclusion of the program.
Families should also plan for a required orientation on December 17, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at New City Hall. Both the participant and a parent or guardian must attend.
Attendance is a key requirement: students may miss only one program day. The February 1 schedule includes participant presentations and a graduation celebration at New City Hall, marking the conclusion of the experience.
For teenagers considering the commitment, the program offers a clear assignment: choose a concern, study it, think through a response and explain what the city could do. Connecting with other students and learning about city operations are part of that process.
Students and families can review the program information and register online before the November 29 deadline. With required orientation arriving in December, getting involved begins well before the January sessions.