What are the possibilities for active student participation in citizenship education and how are students involved in the school as a community? We researched active student participation in schools and in out-of-school learning activities: students’ own lessons, their own school, their own community, but also society beyond the school. The study shows that in particular participation in one’s own lessons and in society outside one’s own community is often disregarded by teachers when they consider citizenship education. But it are precisely these forms of participation that affect the life world of students and which enhance the world view of students outside their own local community. The analysis is complemented by looking at the goals of the activity: is the focus on carrying out the activity, on organizing it, or on analysis and social change?