Fighting against conservative extremism since 2005.
In a monumental vote, the 2019 summer session of the Democratic National Committee granted HSDA two voting seats, giving youth a strengthened voice and cementing HSDA as the official organization for high school Democrats.
In another vote in 2025, HSDA was given its highest position within the Democratic Party yet, through a seat on the DNC Executive Committee.
Through both of these positions, HSDA has wielded great leverage alongside it's college counterpart, the College Democrats of America (CDA), and has proposed some of the most progressive reforms within the party by representing the idealism and change that is needed to create a nation that works for the many, not the few.
Fighting against conservative extremism since 2005.
In a monumental vote, the 2019 summer session of the Democratic National Committee granted HSDA two voting seats, giving youth a strengthened voice and cementing HSDA as the official organization for high school Democrats.
In another vote in 2025, HSDA was given its highest position within the Democratic Party yet, through a seat on the DNC Executive Committee.
Through both of these positions, HSDA has wielded great leverage alongside it's college counterpart, the College Democrats of America (CDA), and has proposed some of the most progressive reforms within the party by representing the idealism and change that is needed to create a nation that works for the many, not the few.
Our History
The High School Caucus of the Young Democrats of America (YDAHSC) was founded on December 2nd, 2005 in Phoenix, Arizona following the 2005 YDA National Convention in San Francisco. Prior to the founding of YDAHSC, various state-level high school and teenage Democratic organizations existed but never before had there been a centralized national umbrella for high school Democrats. Jonathan Padilla of California and Ahmed Kokon of New York dreamed up the idea of YDAHSC and, after its founding in 2005, Padilla was elected the first National Chair in February 2006. At the same February 2006 meeting, YDAHSC was fully recognized as a voting caucus by the Young Democrats of America. By August 2007, there were 37 state organizations in YDAHSC.
The first National Summit debuted as the “High School Leadership Academy” in 2012. 48 students represented 27 states at the four-day Washington, D.C. event.
In June 2014, the YDAHSC broke off from YDA and re-founded as the High School Democrats of America (HSDA). Today, YDA and HSDA still enjoy a close partnership. A year later, in July 2015, the newly-independent HSDA held the “HSDA Strategic Summit” in Washington, D.C.
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Our History
The High School Caucus of the Young Democrats of America (YDAHSC) was founded on December 2nd, 2005 in Phoenix, Arizona following the 2005 YDA National Convention in San Francisco. Prior to the founding of YDAHSC, various state-level high school and teenage Democratic organizations existed but never before had there been a centralized national umbrella for high school Democrats. Jonathan Padilla of California and Ahmed Kokon of New York dreamed up the idea of YDAHSC and, after its founding in 2005, Padilla was elected the first National Chair in February 2006. At the same February 2006 meeting, YDAHSC was fully recognized as a voting caucus by the Young Democrats of America. By August 2007, there were 37 state organizations in YDAHSC.
The first National Summit debuted as the “High School Leadership Academy” in 2012. 48 students represented 27 states at the four-day Washington, D.C. event.
In June 2014, the YDAHSC broke off from YDA and re-founded as the High School Democrats of America (HSDA). Today, YDA and HSDA still enjoy a close partnership. A year later, in July 2015, the newly-independent HSDA held the “HSDA Strategic Summit” in Washington, D.C.
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Chapters
Our Structure
Our Structure
Local
01
Local chapters are the foundation of HSDA, bringing students together in their schools and communities to organize around issues that matter. Chapters can be registered anytime through our Take Action page, making it easy for new leaders to join the movement.
Local
01
Local chapters are the foundation of HSDA, bringing students together in their schools and communities to organize around issues that matter. Chapters can be registered anytime through our Take Action page, making it easy for new leaders to join the movement.
State
02
State organizations are semi-independent entities that support local chapters, hold their own events, and elect student leadership. With chapters in every state, HSDA’s reach is national while staying rooted in local communities.
State
02
State organizations are semi-independent entities that support local chapters, hold their own events, and elect student leadership. With chapters in every state, HSDA’s reach is national while staying rooted in local communities.
National
03
At the national level, HSDA is powered by caucuses—identity-based groups that advocate for underrepresented communities and host most of HSDA’s national programming. The National Executive Board, National Staff, and National Committee provide structure, support, and the rules that govern the entire organization.
National
03
At the national level, HSDA is powered by caucuses—identity-based groups that advocate for underrepresented communities and host most of HSDA’s national programming. The National Executive Board, National Staff, and National Committee provide structure, support, and the rules that govern the entire organization.
Local
01
Local chapters are the foundation of HSDA, bringing students together in their schools and communities to organize around issues that matter. Chapters can be registered anytime through our Take Action page, making it easy for new leaders to join the movement.
State
02
State organizations are semi-independent entities that support local chapters, hold their own events, and elect student leadership. With chapters in every state, HSDA’s reach is national while staying rooted in local communities.
National
03
At the national level, HSDA is powered by caucuses—identity-based groups that advocate for underrepresented communities and host most of HSDA’s national programming. The National Executive Board, National Staff, and National Committee provide structure, support, and the rules that govern the entire organization.
Join us in making a difference
Your support can help change lives and transform communities. Whether through donations, joining events, or becoming a chapter leader, every action counts.
The world that we’re fighting for is already here. It may not be all here, it may not be the majority of what’s here, but it is undeniably here. — AOC
The world that we’re fighting for is already here. It may not be all here, it may not be the majority of what’s here, but it is undeniably here. — AOC
A Better Future Is Possible
A Better Future Is Possible
A Better Future Is Possible
A Better Future Is Possible
A Better Future Is Possible
A Better Future Is Possible
A Better Future Is Possible
A Better Future Is Possible
A Better Future Is Possible