This year, some students find themselves placed in Academic Center due to scheduling issues and the removal of study hall. Most students in Academic Center didn’t originally forecast for it, but have surprisingly found the class helpful.

Counselor Meredith Wilson explains why students were placed in these classes. 

“Students who have very specific classes that are only offered once or twice, [conflict] with other classes that are only offered once or twice, [and] that can limit their schedule to [not] give them all of the perfect things they want,” said Wilson. “So as a result, sometimes students have holes in their schedule, and that’s just because some classes are overlapping, they’re aligned, and something’s empty.” 

Senior Andrew Crombie didn’t forecast for Academic Center, but as an IB diploma student has found it helpful. 

“I do a lot of sports and other after-school activities, so it gives me more time to do homework,” said Crombie. 

Aside from being a place to complete homework, students also earn credit for Academic Center, which makes it different from the study halls of the past.

“Study hall was a period in a student’s day where they were supervised by an adult, but the adult wasn’t a licensed teacher.  So as a result, it was a place where students could do homework and work on projects, but they didn’t earn a credit,” said Wilson.

Junior Lance Porter says he finds Academic Center helpful. 

 “It’s very useful for kids who have issues organizing or anything like that,” said Porter.

Jordan Gutlerner, an English and Academic Center teacher, says that the Academic Center has an overall positive impact on students.

“[Academic Center is] a quiet space where students don’t get more work,” said Gutlerner. “Instead, they get to work. It’s good for their mental health.”