SCHOOL SHOULD BE...

...a place where you get to explore and make mistakes, a place where you’re supposed to learn how to be a global citizen, and a place where you learn to accept others. School should be a place where one learns life skills and how to be a good person, but public school systems often fail us and end up crushing creativity and, in turn, they prioritize results over understanding.

- August Goldstein

...a place where I can educate and better myself in a comfortable environment. Every class I take prepares me for my future whether it be learning about the economy in microeconomics or becoming more tech-savvy in my computer science class. Beyond education, school is a comfortable place for me to find community and people who share interests with me. I’ve met all my closest friends through school. I even started my own club and have formed many meaningful connections from there. I also find school to be a place where I never feel afraid to ask for help with things. Whenever I have a question, I simply go to my teachers or counselors and feel comfortable enough to ask. As I enter my last years of high school, having a good support system that’s always available to me is helpful.

-- Nano Nikuradze

..a community. Although the main purpose of schooling is to obtain a well-rounded education, there is far more to appreciate about an educational environment. Every student is on their own journey, but the common thread between everyone’s individual path is that we are all working towards a tangible goal together. Extra-curricular activities, sports, making friends, and school events give students a fantastic opportunity to learn the social aspects of adult life and gain crucial, real-world skills.

- Ellla Beaudet

...appreciated. School is a thing I didn’t appreciate before, but, whether I like it or not, it has benefited me greatly and will continue to benefit me in the future. School has granted me tons of opportunities, including meeting new people and joining clubs. Many people overlook school and don’t truly appreciate all the staff, resources, and time that is put in for our education.

- Kimberly Trang

...a place where I go to not only learn, but to meet new and different types of people. Each year, I take different classes, and each class holds a different memory that I’ve created. Participating in school events gives me the chance to live my high school life and youth. Writing for the school publications integrates me into my community.

- Samantha Wang

...about acceptance. The chance to be uniquely me. I don’t have to worry about what latest trends I should hop on. I can dress how I want and be who I choose to be. Staying true to yourself is how you thrive in school and life.

- Imani Bunton

...a place where I learn and gain more wisdom pertaining to life. It also is a place to form relationships and go through lessons that will help us later in life. School is a community that simulates what the real world is, however, it enables us to learn lessons without having severe repercussions.

- Meze Ivit

...a place to socialize. Over the summer, I find that I feel more distant and disconnected socially; school is a convenient way for me to interact with people and develop friendships.

- Emily Mann

...a place where you learn various subjects, but also learn from other people and experiences. School allows us to express our interests in various forms: by joining a team, signing up for a club or creating your own, and building new relationships.

- Katelyn Jackson

...an important step in life. I am a perfectionist and because of this I planned out a large portion of my life already. I know what college I want to attend in the near future, the job I want, what degree I want to obtain. However, I tend to forget that school isn’t just about academics. School gives you the life and socialization skills that every human being needs. School gives you experiences that you can smile about in the near future, when your day isn’t as great as you want it to be. School is a key to the many doors of life.

- Abagail Murphy

...a place where I can educate and better myself in a comfortable environment. Every class I take prepares me for my future whether it be learning about the economy in microeconomics or becoming more tech-savvy in my computer science class. Beyond education, school is a comfortable place for me to find community and people who share interests with me. I’ve met all my closest friends through school. I even started my own club and have formed many meaningful connections from there. I also find school to be a place where I never feel afraid to ask for help with things. Whenever I have a question, I simply go to my teachers or counselors and feel comfortable enough to ask. As I enter my last years of high school, having a good support system that’s always available to me is helpful .- Nano

Nikuradze