West Philadelphia High School has had many different projects and organizations working inside of the school, including the Philadelphia Student Union (PSU). PSU, a youth-led organization, is committed to making changes in the school and communities of its members. When four PSU students from West Philadelphia High School joined a nonprofit organization called Research for Action, they came together and started a project which they thought could really help to improve urban public high schools and parent participation. The data they gathered concerned what parents think good parent participation should look like. They conducted lengthy surveys with thirteen parents of high school students from two of the PSU chapters in West Philadelphia. They also interviewed seven of those parents in order to learn more about their responses. Data were collected from April through May 2006. Parents were asked what their own participation looked like and what prevented them from participating. The intent was to discern how schools treat parents, how parents participate, and what circumstances present barriers. The findings help them understand the barriers and improve parent participation in urban high schools. The youth researchers found four reasons why parents may not participate: (1) parents do not receive information far enough in advance to adjust their schedules; (2) parents do not have the time to do some activities or meetings due to multiple responsibilities; (3) possible cultural barriers make it difficult for some parents to be involved; and (4) parent participation looks different in high school than in elementary and middle schools. Recommendations are made to the district, schools, parents, student union chapters, and students. Appendix A provides the West/Southwest Philadelphia Parent Survey. Appendix B shows a 2004-05 school year "road map" graphic illustrating a rough but upward trend that the students of PSU experienced. Appendix C presents Reflections by Youth on the Project. The final appendix presents a bibliography. [This publication is part of a project of Research for Action in cooperation with Philadelphia Student Union as part of the Learning from Philadelphia's School Reform research and public awareness initiative.]