See You at the Pole (SYATP) is an annual event in which Christian students gather for prayer at their schools flagpole to pray for their families, friends, churches, and communities. The event is typically held on the fourth Wednesday of September, before or after school hours. SYATP is a student-led, student-organized, and student-led event, and students of all ages have been the primary participants. The event began in 1990 in Burleson, Texas, when a group of teenagers gathered to pray at their schools flagpole. Since then, the event has grown to include thousands of Christian students at school flagpoles, churches, and online for the purposes of worship and prayer.
SYATP rallies, also known as Saw You at the Pole or See You after the Pole, are events that are often held on the evening of SYATP. These rallies are sponsored by local churches or local youth ministry networks and generally include one or more of the following elements: contemporary Christian music concert, worship, testimonies, drama, and/or a speaker.
Legally, schools in America may neither encourage nor discourage students’ participation in SYATP. Although adults, including pastors, teachers, and parents, are sometimes involved in SYATP, their role is supportive, and students lead the day. Some people have expressed concerns about the public nature of the event and the potential for it to become a show of piety rather than a genuine expression of faith. However, many Christian students continue to participate in SYATP as a way to come together and pray for their communities.
