Albert Lea High School is implementing changes for the 2024-25 school year that students have been asking for.
“Senior Privilege” is the administration’s plan to allow seniors more freedom within their schedule and on campus so long as they qualify.
As the name states however, “it is a privilege”, said Principal Chris Dibble. “It is not a right of a senior to be able to leave campus.”
Seniors can take a study hall first, fifth or eighth hour that they won’t have to attend as long as they meet the requirements:

• Be a senior at ALHS
• Maintain 90% attendance in of all classes
• Maintain passing grades in all classes
• Maintain disciplinary expectations for a period of at least 10 days. If you are caught going against expectations the privilege to leave campus will be taken away for a two week period.
• Parent or guardian must sign a permission form

To make leaving school easier for both seniors and staff there will be a new way of signing out at the Pool Door. There will be a bank of Ipads in kiosks at the Pool Door. Students will type in their ID numbers and the hall monitor will approve it.
Seniors who qualify for the privilege and have study halls during first, fifth, or eighth hours will not be assigned a teacher. If a student doesn’t want to leave campus, or cannot leave, can meet in the Media Center.
“Senior Privilege” is a way for seniors to prove that students are responsible enough to have more liberties.
“I think this privilege should loosen things up,” said Dibble. “I believe in giving people the opportunity until they fail. I don’t mind trying new things.”
And seniors are appreciating the goodwill.
“I feel like this year it should go over pretty well,” said senior Maxx Richards. “I do think it’s good that they do have certain requirements so that not just everyone can do it.”
However, some have expressed concerns at seniors abusing the privilege.
“I think kids will just take advantage of it and just go home instead of coming back,” said senior Bailey Abrego.
It is crucial for seniors to remember that this is a trial run and can be taken away.
“On the document your parents are going to sign, it says that at any point in time admin can take this privilege away on an individual basis or school wide if we need to,” said Dibble.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Richards. “I feel like it motivates students to attend their classes and work towards having passing grades. It’s like an added reward, but I just hope we utilize it correctly so it doesn’t get taken away.”