June 12, 2023 by Maggie Trautner (‘25)
The end of the school year brings about many graduations, the one of most prevalence being that of Saratoga Springs High School (SSHS) seniors. But middle school graduation affects high schoolers as well, with the addition of the class of 2027 into the high school student body. This rising freshman class comes with new people, new perspectives, and new expectations. The renovations over this coming summer will certainly change their first experience in high school, as the school may still be under construction. Or it even may be constructed to a state of near unrecognition. Either way, high school is a distinct change from middle school and these new SSHS students are bound to have opinions and theories about their next four years of education.
Our middle school years are different for everyone. Some may not have even had a traditional middle school experience due to the pandemic. But overall, the three years spent at middle school are a time to learn and grow socially, emotionally, and academically. After completing these three years, the class of 2027 had things to say about what they expect for their high school experience. Rising freshman JoJo Birnby said he thinks the classes will be “more difficult, but not by a lot.” This enthusiastic mindset is refreshing for returning high school students next year.
A change from middle to high school shines through in academics, though. When entering high school, the difficulty level along with an increased variety of available classes are integral parts of the new territory. Current eighth graders Brent Pasek, Dillon Trautner, and Birnby expressed their excitement at having classes with other grades. Pasek said he thought that high school would be a “game changer” for his social environment. Along with academics and schoolwork, the rising freshman class will get more freedom in high school, which Trautner said he is “very excited about.” He is also excited about having more time to hang out with his friends.
Sports are another big aspect of some students’ lives. High school offers many distinct levels of these sports ranging from freshman level to varsity, a substantial change from the modified level at Maple Avenue. The three boys all seemed optimistic about the athletic opportunities available at SSHS.
Not everything at SSHS is sunshine and rainbows, though, as Pasek expressed in his view on the “new” snow day/virtual day policy. He said, “I understand the reasoning, but it does upset me.” The policy states that if a certain set number of snow days are exceeded, a virtual day would replace the next one. This policy was enacted this year, but if it continues, there may be a few more disappointed students like Pasek. This perspective from a future freshman offers a different point of view than returning high schoolers, and may provide new insights or a new way of thinking as the end of another school year approaches. Birnby, Pasek, and Trautner will just have to wait and see if their opinions on SSHS evolve as they enter their freshman year.