By Delanie Sundmaker
Photo by Delanie Sundmaker
With 146 new students at the Willow School, new students are experiencing the differences and adapting to Willow’s schedules and routines.
“The most difficult thing I’ve had to deal with at Willow is navigating the different schedules,” junior John Egan stated.
“Some things that are different from my old school is that classes here are mixed grades instead of only having one grade in each class, having only one lunch break, and having an A day and a B schedule,” Winsome Vaughan, sophomore, said.
“I was shocked by the fact that I used to have each of my eight classes in 44-minute periods every day,” Petah Napolitano, senior, said. Going from 44-minute to 100-minute classes must be a big change and also draining.
While scheduling changes have been challenging, different freedoms have been taken away, but some have been given. Senior Elijah Maxey stated, “The most annoying thing so far is not having senior privileges.”
“Like my school in New York, high schoolers were given more freedom to make personal decisions. The lack of senior privileges, for example, is disappointing but expected,” said Napolitano.
Leaving campus for lunch or preferred parking are examples of senior privileges. At Willow, senior privileges are nonexistent.
However, besides senior privileges, Willow is considered more free by many new students.
“I enjoy not having to wear a uniform, and I like that we have a lot of freedom here!” freshman Dominic Spears said. “Comparing De LaSalle to Willow, Willow feels so much more free. I’ve enjoyed the little to no dress code, too. At DLS, not having the correct socks could put you into detention,” Maxey said.
While different freedoms have been given and taken, actually getting to class can be a struggle. “The stairs have to be the most difficult thing to deal with, especially with my classes,” said Sean Nguyen, sophomore.
“My old school was only two floors” Dominic Spears, freshman, said. Even Willow Lifers are still huffing and puffing after the four flights of stairs.
Moving to a new school can be nerve racking, but coming to Willow may also be different because of its reputation.
“Before I started at Willow, I thought this school was a great school to practice the arts and sports and improve education,” Egan stated, “I had heard very good things from my brothers and friends.”
“I came here with the hopes of ending high school on a high note,” Napolitano said.
“My initial thoughts of the Willow School, before I came, were that it was a school for kids who wanted a challenge in academics and wanted a better education than other public schools,” Vaughan said. “Having these preconceived ideas about Willow makes changing schools slightly easier, because you know you are going to a great school.”
