Junior Parker Kraft is taking strong advantage of a new open campus privilege.
“Open campus is amazing,” said Kraft, “I spend my time going home or in my car on Wednesdays for some peace of mind.”
Noah Ott agrees, “Open campus is the best thing ever.”
“I feel like it will motivate people to pass classes,” said Kraft.
Administrators say the new policy reflects a belief that students who are responsible enough should be allowed to have some extra privileges.
“We have had students and parents ask about 11th-grade students having off-campus privileges,” said Assistant Principal Dusty Rhodes, “We felt like there wasn’t really a reasonable explanation, other than using study hall as a time to make sure students are passing classes.”
Rhodes says the office runs a report every three weeks to monitor the number of students who are not in good standing. Forty-seven juniors were failing one or more classes on the September 20th check. The number increased to 66 on October 2nd.
“If an 11th-grade student is on that list, attendance is taken for them in study hall for three weeks until the next grade check,” said Rhodes.
Junior Madalyn Chose has two study hall periods at MCHS, and the Open Campus privilege is a beneficial option for her during these two periods. She’s getting good grades and enjoys the incentive to shorten her day inside the school building.
“I don’t like to be here if I don’t have to,” said Chose, “You just sit there bored with nothing to do while having to stare at the wall hoping time goes by faster.”
Juniors not in good standing will have an opportunity to gain back the open campus privilege at the next grade check scheduled November 1st.
