Senior Year Flaws

High school teaches students impactful lessons, both academically and socially. High school prepares young adults for life; they choose from many post-secondary school pursuits ranging from higher education to a direct entrance into the labor force. A “one size fits all” high school format disregards the many paths individuals can take in life. Walter Kirn makes a strong argument to axe senior year in Class Dismissed, but many Americans want to stick to tradition and what works. Strong arguments exist for both cutting out senior year and maintaining it. Students should choose whether they take advantage of or cut out senior year.

Administrators and teachers think that four years of high school should remain the norm because of the simplicity

Cutting twelfth grade for everyone would make new seniors a year younger and a year less mature. Critics to a four year high school education claim that the seniors shows immaturity, but give this year’s juniors the responsibilities and freedoms that the seniors have and the realization would come about that cutting twelfth grade leads to negative consequences. Advocates for a uniform three year high school greatly understate the benefits of senior year. The numerous opportunities senior year provides range from the opportunity to become a leader on a team and community, to learning how to have a professional approach in relationships and work. Students have the opportunity to take college level classes free of charge. This benefits the students and their families because it allows them to save on college tuition by coming in with many of their general education requirements completed. Cutting senior year would create a shift in the practice of graduating college early. By graduating high school in three years, students would surely have to spend four or more years in college instead of spending four in high school and three in college. Save for a select few, high school needs to remain a four year education in order to greater prepare students for life after