Kids every day complain about school, about the education system, about what they want and what they need. But what are students really getting out of school? What do kids think about class other than frustrated side comments?

AP student Hannah Oelschlager says school has helped her in ways other than just academically. “Our education system has given me a lot of good opportunities,” but “the greatest opportunity it gave me was the chance to explore my interests outside of the classroom.” From getting involved in band and Science Olympiad Oelschlager has learned leadership skills she wasn’t taught in the classroom. She said that the thing that most bothers her about the education system is the emphasis on standardized testing being the only way to judge a person’s aptitude.

Another senior in advanced classes, Harleen Maan, said she’s learned a lot not only about subjects like math and english and history, but also how the world works.” She does have some problems with the system though. The amount of pressure we place on students, with all the AP classes, the homework, the extracurriculars, and the expectation to still have a social life and still spend time with your family and still get enough sleep at night.”

“It’s a problem,” said Maan. Maan emphasizes the need to accommodate students with mental illness, especially because school is a major stress factor in their lives. “Bro school made me sad and I just want to wear crop tops and show my shoulders,” said Maan. But advanced students aren’t the only ones who are affected by the stress of school life.

Freshman Jack Mercer talks about his struggles in middle school and so far in freshman year, he believes that “I failed school, the school didn’t fail me.” He admits to needing more connection with kids, and interactiveness, but he stands by the fact that his GPA has everything to do with him and not the school.

Senior Dean Wyeth feels differently. “I’ve learned how to write essays, but other than that, not a lot,” said Wyeth. “I just feel like the process of having to memorize everything on a topic in a week and then not talking about it until the end of the semester before finals doesn’t benefit me.”

Wyeth wishes that the school would put emphasis on growth. “I know that I personally have had teachers that have helped me expand my knowledge and grow as a person and that’s really important,” said Wyeth. “School is a huge part of our interaction with people and if we only have negative interactions, it’ll change our view on the world.”

With all these opposing viewpoints the question is, is the school addressing every student’s need? The fact of the matter is students spend at least twelve years in the school system, for most of them, four of those at this high school. The question is, what is that giving students?