Galina V. Palatkina

Relevance of the article lies in the necessity of studying socio-cultural activity, as traditional methods of education often prove to be insufficient for shaping students' personalities amid global transformations. This activity contributes to the development of critical thinking, creativity, and civic responsibility, which helps schoolchildren adapt to rapid changes and respond effectively to contemporary challenges. However, the issue of the potential of high school students’ socio-cultural activity in extracurricular events remains insufficiently explored, necessitating an analysis of the factors behind the phenomenon. The aim of the work is to study the factors contributing to the development of socio-cultural activity among high school students in extracurricular events. Using theoretical analysis methods, the article characterizes the essence of socio-cultural activity and its pedagogical potential in the personality development of adolescents through extracurricular events. It also applies survey and correlation analysis methods to study the influencing factors, based on responses to open and closed questions collected from 200 high school students in Astrakhan (Russia) and Atyrau (Kazakhstan). The survey results emphasize the need to consider the factors that ensure the effective functioning of socio-cultural activity among high school students in extracurricular contexts. These factors manifest themselves in adolescents’ personal development, social adaptation, communication skills, career orientation, talent development, counteracting social problems, support for civic education, and coordination with current educational trends. The data show that a high interest in cultural events (45%) enhances creative thinking and broadens horizons, while 65% of students who actively participate in community activities tend to exhibit higher levels of personal growth and self-esteem—driven by social (85%), personal (80%), and organizational (75%) factors. The study identifies specific factors contributing to the development of socio-cultural activity in extracurricular events. The theoretical value of the article lies in clarifying the essence of socio-cultural activity and identifying the factors that influence its development in adolescence. The practical significance is determined by the applicability of the results in designing extracurricular programs aimed at fostering students' personality development. The research findings can be used by educators and organizers of educational initiatives in schools.