Through the years, O’Neal has experimented with student governments and leadership programs. In 1975, when Wallace O’Neal Day School served students in grade 3-10, there was a Lower School Senate (grades 3-7) and an Upper School Senate (grades 8-10). Both divisions held full blown student elections for their governing groups. In 1986 there was evidence of class presidents and a student government association in the Upper School and the Lower School retained the Lower School Senate structure. For a few years after, the student government association was called the Advisory Council. The 1987/88 school year saw the creation of an official middle school division. By the 1990’s standard student government structures existed in the Upper and Middle School, with the Lower School sticking to a Senate.