Counselors have been addressing the growing student population by adding additonal sections in order to keep the student-teacher ratio at 30:1.
This effort to maintain the learning enviornment has required changing some students’ schedules.
“We’re constantly trying to keep numbers low [and] our classes even,” counselor Cara Engel said.
Having reached a population of 1920, the building has almost met its full capacity of 2000 students.
However, the pace of growth appears to have slowed.
“I don’t expect to reach the capacity this year,” dean of students James Franklin said.
Because students tend to feel attached to their schedules, counselors have been “trying to only make them move if they want to,” Engel said.
There is still a demand for class transfers, so a few classes have been able to keep a balanced ratio even with new students coming in.
The new sections include Pre-calculus, Algebra 2 with Trigonometry Honors, English 9 and 10 Honors, and Honors Government.
Honors Government added a new section on Sept. 21. History teacher Ilsa Tinkelman informed students enrolled in Honors Government of the additional section via email that day.
Student Services began notifying students affected by the change on Sept. 22, and the classes began the next day.
“We will continue collaborating to make sure that all students switching into this class feel comfortable with the transition,” Tinkelman said.
Teachers are working together to make transitions easy for the students.
“In order for a transition like this to be as smooth as possible, everyone needs to have an open mind,” counselor Abbey Otinger said.
According to Otinger, an estimated 20 students schedules were changed because of Honors Government.