Translate
Kirk also stated that another strong reason for the creation of the new high school was to limit student population. He added that with 2,000 students, the district could offer a variety of programs for students without excluding many people. With a high population, such as Merced High back when it had 4,500 students, there could have been as many as 80 people trying out for volleyball team and inevitably some students wouldn’t make the team. The key, Kirk said, is to keep students involved. “Most kids aren’t jumping out of bed because of geometry. That is not why they are coming,” Kirk said. “Students are coming because they are involved with activities like sports or clubs.”
Miguel Flores, a senior from Merced High, supports Kirk’s thoughts, saying that, “if I would attend the new high school, I would definitely try out for sports.”
[pullquote_right]Overcrowding is a major issue for schools like Merced High and Golden Valley. It’s common to go into a classroom filled with 30 or more students. Overcrowded classrooms are not healthy environments for students because not every student may have the opportunity to receive individual help from the teacher.[/pullquote_right]
Kirk went on to say that when the new school is full in three years, the district expects to have 1,700 students in Merced High, Golden Valley and El Capitan each, which still allows the growth of each campus. He said, “The key to everything is when you get your diploma on Friday night, do you know what you are doing Monday? You have your diploma, now what? If you’re involved in several programs in high school, the hope is you will have some direction.”
Overcrowding is a major issue for schools like Merced High and Golden Valley. It’s common to go into a classroom filled with 30 or more students. Overcrowded classrooms are not healthy environments for students because not every student may have the opportunity to receive individual help from the teacher. Currently, Merced High has around 2,600 students while Golden Valley has around 2,300 students; both schools were built intending to have 2,000 students each.
When I first heard about the new high school, I had mixed feelings. As a senior at Merced High School, graduating 2013, I have grown to like this school. I met so many people and came across many teachers that made me cherish my experiences here.
I love that this school will not be too crowded for students next year, however, I find it sad that several teachers and staff might move to the other campus and the community of Merced High will not be the same.
In a small survey of 32 students from Merced High regarding what kind of impact the new high school will have on their school, 16 people said it will have a positive impact, 13 people said it will have a negative impact, two people said both and two people said neither. For the positive impact, some of the students said there would be less crowding and more opportunity for them in activities, while those who said it will have a negative impact for Merced High argued that this school will be different, that students would like El Capitan more for their technology, and there will be a loss teachers and sports team members.
