diff --git a/apps/server/src/students/students.service.ts b/apps/server/src/students/students.service.ts
index 6ff9d73..1b5168e 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/students/students.service.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/students/students.service.ts
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ export class StudentsService {
     if (query?.status) {
       where.status = query.status;
     } else if (!query?.includeArchived) {
-      where.status = Not('archived');
+      // Default: hide archived and staff, unless explicitly queried
+      where.status = Not(In(['archived', 'staff']));
     }
     const filteredWhere = await this.scope.filter(where);
     return this.repo.find({ where: filteredWhere, order: { createdAt: 'DESC' }, relations: ['tenant'] });