There were three significant conclusions that were drawn from the survey and one is that ALHS has a small comfort zone which inhibits exploration and experimentation. This was called by different names – “stigma”, “judgment”- but it meant that students didn’t want to stand out or draw attention because they feared negative peer pressure.
“I think that a lot of students are scared to involve themselves in new sports or activities due to what people would say or do,” said Sophomore Stephanie Lazaro-Bryon.
In short, this fear stopped them from trying new things like sports and clubs or even doing well in school. They don’t want to do things unless they already excel at them.
“I would say our school puts a lot of pressure on the higher achieving students to carry the school environment, said Junior Callie Brownlee. “If you get good grades you should have no probably [problem] playing varsity in three school sports, and be involved in music and clubs. This expects a lot from a smaller group of people versus encouraging the average student to be more involved.”
The school day is spent in uncertainty while learning new skills. If students don’t feel comfortable failing in front of one another then learning can’t occur which would explain some data like why only 20.7% of the student body enjoys going to school. That creates a lot of long days spent doing nothing in class and being afraid of peer judgment.
Across many of the questions were suggestions to modify the structure of the school day so that students weren’t in the building as often. Things like a four-day week, later start times for the school day, flexible seating, mental health days, the monthly Wednesdays off or half days.
“I would change where we have class,” Freshman Anai Nechinicky said. “I think going outside for class sometimes would be good. I never get to go outside for class, but I think it would help me focus more, while at the same time getting some fresh air too.”
The traditions that students identified as significant to our culture were not focused on academics but rather social-based events which makes sense when so many students reported how big of an impact their peers had on their experience at ALHS. Things that occurred mostly outside the classroom included homecoming, pep fest, Powder Puff, the Tiger Fight Song, Wall of Inspiration, prom and the Fall Festival. In class traditions included Tiger Vision, Tiger Pride, March Madness and Link Crew.
The second conclusion was an easily identifiable pattern in the responses. The underclassmen wanted authoritative action taken including more rules and monitoring like installing sensors in bathrooms and K-9 visits. Their answers suggest that they want adults to control their day and advocate for harsher punishments for all rule breaking. At the same time upperclassman wanted greater independence, trust and .
“We have an ugly middleground of rules, so 8th and 9th grade have too much freedom, and 12th and 11th doesn’t have enough,” said 8th Grader Jack Zoller.
Seniors wanted things like open campus, open study hall, later start time and generally more freedom. They want two sets of rules based on grade level and to stop being treated like middle schoolers.
“I don’t believe that 8th graders belong at high school,” said Junior Aryah Hansen. “They are causing problems and making the high school experience worse for upperclassmen who don’t deserve to have the school wide punishments that are caused from 8th graders.”
The data provided by administration shows that 8th grades accounts for 45% of all the suspensions this year while Juniors and Seniors together make up 9%. The survey also revealed that students were worried about drugs and fighting. The District hired Melissa Bossuyt, the new Chemical Health Counselor, in response to increasing drug use. She will help with prevention and education on drugs and short-term counseling for students and families.
There is more good news. Behavior incidents (fighting) are below pre-Covid numbers and having been on a downward trend over the last three years. While students are concerned, the numbers are showing a decrease in fights.
Lastly, the overall consensus across all grades was that you get what you put into your high school experience. Students repeatedly responded that individual perspectives have the biggest impact.
“I wouldn’t say it’s good or bad,” Junior Presley Broskoff said. “There are positives and negatives every day. It depends on where you focus your energy and who you surround yourself with – it’s all up to you.”