In 2019, I graduated from Sylvania Schools thinking I had done what every other high school graduate across the country had done before: walked across the stage, shook a hand, and accepted a diploma. It was not until later when I started my first semester of college and had my first meeting with my adviser that I realized all that I took for granted from Sylvania Schools. In that first meeting, the adviser was bewildered at the fact that I came in with 65 credits, elevating me to junior standing. This meant that I could graduate with a bachelor’s degree in two years instead of four years. Despite this, I wanted to take some time to enjoy the college experience, so I settled for three years, graduating with a double major and a minor in that time.
Looking back from that moment on, I realized I left Sylvania Schools with something much more than a piece of paper. The adviser had even asked me if Sylvania Schools is a fancy private school, and I had to clarify that it was just a public school. I quickly realized the opportunities that were given to me, existing rarely elsewhere, are incomparable. Through the College Credit Plus program that the district offers, I was able to save myself thousands of dollars in tuition and student loans from not having to take an extra year of college, and I know many other former graduates who were able to use their Advanced Placement and Honors classes as a substitute for their general education credits and have the chance to pick up an additional major or a minor like I did. We take these opportunities for granted, but they have the power to change the trajectory of our lives, such as diluting the burden of debt, or allowing you to discover a career or passion that would otherwise remain untouched.
The most painful part for me is seeing the cuts to extracurriculars and other activities that truly have the ability to shape who someone becomes. As a former member of the swim team, someone who finds the confidence in the camaraderie of a team could lose that sense of belonging. I know many people who find their voice through being in an environment where being on a team is instrumental to your success, and it truly allows people to break out of their shell. A student who cannot yet afford college would lose the opportunity to earn college credit for free, which could mean the difference between them being able to attend college or having to work for a few years to save up…