The Schools of Study in Elkhart High have been a prominent feature in students’ lives ever since the school merger–so it definitely is not new to this year’s seniors. Despite that, some of Elkhart’s upperclassmen have varying opinions on how these specialized areas actually benefit them moving forward.

Now three years into the process, the main purpose of these Schools of Study remains the same: providing high school students with a better understanding of their future career goals. Students have six schools from which to choose: Arts and Communications, Business and International Relations, Health and Public Safety, Human Services, Natural Resources, and ETI, or Engineering, Technology, and Innovation. Each has its own unique flavor geared toward its respective school and the type of courses offered in it.  “I enjoy my School of Study, because the teachers and environment are very involved and engaging,” says JaQuan Curtis, a Senior in the Health and Public Safety school. In fact, Curtis’s future career goals are in this area. 

Unfortunately, the School of Study system doesn’t work for all the students at Elkhart High. Nia Ivens, a Junior and student in the ETI school, feels differently about this system. “I personally don’t enjoy the School of Study I’m in–not because it’s a bad school of study–I just don’t believe I fit into it.” Surprisingly, this is the case for many of the students at Elkhart High. Some students feel as though they’re being put in a box, not being able to explore more options than the school they were put in. “It’s very confining.” Ivens explains, “It feels like they’re forcing an option onto us that we aren’t really ready for yet.”

Even without the Schools of Study, schools do tend to push a life decision like this onto students quite early. High school used to be a place to obtain a well-rounded foundation, and college was where one explored an area to specialize in. “I’m not really sure if I want to do anything with engineering,” Ivens admits. “I think being able to explore more than just my school offers to me would be helpful.” However, if the United States intends to become a competitive nation again, then maybe it’s time to accelerate that pathway plan.

In that same vein, the whole purpose and motive of these schools is something to be admired–even if they aren’t perfect. These schools help students connect with their peers who may have very similar interests and create strong friendships. Teachers and staff get to have a more involved relationship with their students, as well, being able to connect with them on a more personal level as they are also interested in the same areas of learning. “The people in my hub are really nice and involved,” Hayden Dinehart, a junior in Health and Public Safety, explains. “I love that I get to see my friends so often, too!”

These schools definitely aren’t the best fit for everyone, but there’s no denying the fact that it allows students to thrive in their elements, hopefully giving them some idea of what they may want to do in the future–or, at the very least, getting them absolutely college-ready, as any school should.