YES

Lorya Xu ‘26

REPORTER

Senior privileges (or privs for short), which are the benefits that allow seniors to arrive late or leave school early during study halls or blended periods, are currently exclusive to 12th graders. However, juniors should have access to these privileges too. Juniors would benefit more from the privileges than seniors actually do. Junior year, considered to be the busiest year of high school, is the last full year of school that colleges look at when reviewing students’ college applications. In the hopes of creating a unique and advantageous resumé that will appeal to colleges, students tend to take more challenging courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, to show academic success and understanding. Additionally, students partake in more activities aside from academics, such as volunteering, clubs, sports, and more. The extension of senior privileges to juniors would help reduce stress, boost performance, and prevent burn out (the mental and physical exhaustion experienced as a result of persistent stress from work). If students are burnt out, the stress will roll over to the following year,

affecting not only a students’ college applications but also their future and health. By giving juniors the option of less school time on certain days, the high school could significantly reduce the risk of burnout and declining health.

There may be the concern that juniors lack the responsibility needed for privileges, but students already embody this quality. In order to balance academics with extracurriculars and outside obligations, juniors are required to be responsible. For these reasons, senior privileges should be equally given to juniors. They are just as qualified to receive these benefits and would arguably make better use of them than seniors.

NO

Rachel Sun ‘25

STAFF WRITER

When it comes to student privileges, specifically leaving early and arriving late when students do not have synchronous classes, there is a clear divide in opinion on whether or not these privileges should remain reserved for seniors only.

First and foremost, parking at the high school in the morning is known to be cramped. One of the major benefits of having senior privileges is having stress-free mornings, when students do not need to wait in a line for ten minutes to grab a spot; more congestion would be inevitable with double the number of students coming in at 8:49 a.m. By keeping early arrival and dismissal privileges limited to seniors, we prevent this potential chaos and keep the parking situation under control.

Additionally, these privileges are a reward for the seniors who have worked hard throughout their high school careers. Allowing juniors to have the same privileges as seniors may undermine the motivation for students to strive for their senior year. If these privileges were given to juniors early, it could reduce the sense of achievement and anticipation that comes with being a senior.

Lastly, extending these privileges to juniors could complicate school logistics. Managing study halls and class schedules would become more challenging with an increased number of students coming and going at different times. Keeping the system as it is helps ensure that everything runs smoothly and that students meet their academic requirements consistently.