Seniors at BHS have certain requirements they need to complete before graduation. As listed in the program of studies, students must have 121 credits to graduate which includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, fifteen credits of science, five credits for physical education, one year of world language, and five credits in each required elective section. Most if not all students by the time they reach senior year only need to take their final year of English and health for one quarter to fulfill the requirements. Yet, seniors are required to fill their schedules with class for every block and are only limited to two study hall blocks.
If seniors were able to only take classes they want, and then leave they could focus on activities that would help set them up in the future. It could give students the opportunity to get a part-time job, get an internship, give students more time to focus on college and scholarship applications, or even take classes at the community college. Many students already do one or more of these things, but it can be a lot to balance and can get very stressful for students during an already high stress time. The first semester of senior year is extremely stressful as many students are applying to colleges, and some even start to hear back from schools they applied early to, starting in December. It can be a lot for students to balance between all their regular commitments and the added stress and pressure of college applications.
Surrounding schools do offer this privilege to seniors. Chatham High School allows seniors to leave campus whenever they have a study hall and they are able to only schedule classes for part of their day, so they can leave early after finishing the classes they are required to take. If BHS offered this to seniors, it would greatly benefit them, and help promote a focus on improving mental health.
Sophia Vascellero ‘23 shared, “I wish the school let us come in for only half a day, so I can take my English class, gym, and any other classes I want to take.” Many students agree with Sophia, and feel that seniors should be offered more privileges when it comes to their schedule.
When speaking with seniors from Ridge High School, a neighboring high school, they explained that they have similar senior privileges as BHS, but wish they had more. Senior, Melissa Fletcher from Ridge, shared that she can only have two study halls, but had room for three. Unfortunately due to their school’s policy on study halls she can only take two, and has to fill that space with other classes. This is a common situation at both Ridge and BHS. Students are taking classes they may not be interested in, just to fill space in their schedule. It makes more sense to let seniors take less classes and be more productive with their time, instead of just taking classes to fill schedules.
