Change is something that is handled differently by every individual, especially when the change involves new friends, teachers and a new learning environment. Most students have embraced the changes associated with the founding of a new high school, but for some ex-Southwest students, the grass is greener on their home school’s turf.
Since the beginning of the school year, seven seniors and eight juniors, originally excited about starting new traditions at a new school, have made the decision to transfer back to their old high school.
“Most of these students transferred because they got here and it wasn’t what they thought it would be,” Principal Scott Roberts said. “People mostly left because their friends weren’t here and they missed whatever ‘privileges’ they used to have.”
Like many, former Southwest student TJ Earnshaw transferred to Southwest to take advantage of athletic and social opportunities.
“I went to Southwest because I wanted playing time for football and a fresh start with new students,” Earnshaw said. “I chose to transfer back because I missed my old school, I wasn’t getting playing time for football, and I missed my friends.”
Another transfer student, junior Rianin Bowser, transferred to Southwest for similar reasons.
“I chose to go there because I wanted to see what it was like and I thought it would be cool to be a part of a brand new school and to start traditions,” Bowser said. “I transferred back to Blue Valley because Southwest was extremely boring and ugly. It felt like you were in jail. The walls, floors, and lockers were all gray. There were way too many rules, and most of my friends were at Blue Valley.”
Although Southwest teachers and administrators alike agree that it is not in the student’s academic interest to switch schools in the middle of the year, they want students to be happy.
“I told them (the transfer students), to ‘go’ and do what makes them happy. A lot of people think that I get mad about these things, but I really don’t care, if it’s what makes the student happy,” Roberts said.
14 out of the 15 transfer students left Southwest within the first three days, which indicates that kids seem to becoming more and more comfortable in their new environment.
“I think as time goes on, the kids who have shared experiences become involved in clubs and have strong relationships with teachers will stay,” Roberts said.
When semester rolls around, the students who live within the Southwest boundaries and could not chose to attend Southwest will be eligible to transfer back to their old schools.
“I don’t know how many will switch at semester; it wouldn’t surprise me to see 40 transfers at semester,” Roberts said. “At second semester, at least theoretically, everyone that is here wants to be here.”
Since the beginning of the school year, seven seniors and eight juniors, originally excited about starting new traditions at a new school, have made the decision to transfer back to their old high school.
“Most of these students transferred because they got here and it wasn’t what they thought it would be,” Principal Scott Roberts said. “People mostly left because their friends weren’t here and they missed whatever ‘privileges’ they used to have.”
Like many, former Southwest student TJ Earnshaw transferred to Southwest to take advantage of athletic and social opportunities.
“I went to Southwest because I wanted playing time for football and a fresh start with new students,” Earnshaw said. “I chose to transfer back because I missed my old school, I wasn’t getting playing time for football, and I missed my friends.”
Another transfer student, junior Rianin Bowser, transferred to Southwest for similar reasons.
“I chose to go there because I wanted to see what it was like and I thought it would be cool to be a part of a brand new school and to start traditions,” Bowser said. “I transferred back to Blue Valley because Southwest was extremely boring and ugly. It felt like you were in jail. The walls, floors, and lockers were all gray. There were way too many rules, and most of my friends were at Blue Valley.”
Although Southwest teachers and administrators alike agree that it is not in the student’s academic interest to switch schools in the middle of the year, they want students to be happy.
“I told them (the transfer students), to ‘go’ and do what makes them happy. A lot of people think that I get mad about these things, but I really don’t care, if it’s what makes the student happy,” Roberts said.
14 out of the 15 transfer students left Southwest within the first three days, which indicates that kids seem to becoming more and more comfortable in their new environment.
“I think as time goes on, the kids who have shared experiences become involved in clubs and have strong relationships with teachers will stay,” Roberts said.
When semester rolls around, the students who live within the Southwest boundaries and could not chose to attend Southwest will be eligible to transfer back to their old schools.
“I don’t know how many will switch at semester; it wouldn’t surprise me to see 40 transfers at semester,” Roberts said. “At second semester, at least theoretically, everyone that is here wants to be here.”
