'student-centered' is a compound formed from 'student' + past-participial adjective 'centered'. 'student' ultimately comes from Latin 'studēre' (present participle 'studens') meaning 'to study, be eager', and 'centered' derives from 'center' (from Latin 'centrum').

'student' entered English via Old French and Middle English from Latin 'studēre' > Medieval Latin 'studens' > Middle English 'studeant'/'student'. 'centered' was formed in modern English by combining 'center' (from Latin 'centrum' through Old French/Middle English) with the adjectival suffix '-ed' to indicate 'having a center' or 'focused on'. The compound 'student-centered' arises in modern educational discourse (20th century onward).

Originally 'center' referred to a physical or geometric middle; over time 'centered' took on figurative senses of focus or orientation. Thus 'student-centered' evolved to mean 'oriented toward students' needs and perspectives' rather than a literal spatial center.