By: Jenna Marcus, Saman Hussein, Robin Marshall
At Williamsville East, grades are not simply an indication of proficiency; they are a culture. Many students at East feel extremely privileged to attend a school where academics in the form of grades are held to a worshipful echelon, but some students’ self-worth fluctuates with every score received. “This cut-throat competition over hundredths of a point brings out the worst in some of the best,” said Senior Grace Schaefer. Many students and faculty members agree with Schaefer, and wish to remove class rank as a tool to better the learning environment at East.
It is simple psychology that states extrinsic motivation, such as grades and test scores, is the least effective method of learning. Something so extrinsic as class rank as the predominant motivating factor is doomed to failure in the long run. Intrinsic motivation, such as passions and the love of learning, has been shown to lead to better, more thoughtful learning. According to an anonymous East student, “The drive to succeed should come from our determination and passion for something. At East, a lot of kids’ are just motivated to beat out their classmates. It’s unfortunate. Though eliminating class rank won’t fix this entirely, it would be a step in the right direction. The competition and stress students face would hopefully lessen.”
Junior Robin Marshall has wrote to the East side and said, “Human beings are more than a number; they are gifted with hearts and minds that stretch far beyond a class ranking. Learning is a lifelong process, with curiosity and creativity being held among the highest forms of intelligence and value. Learning opens peoples’ eyes to a whole new world, gives them new perspectives and outlooks on life, teaches them to work hard at what they do, and think critically. People should be driven to succeed because of their passion for something; not because it will give them a higher ranking amongst their peers. The system of ranking students by number devalues the aforementioned qualities, qualities that are critical in not only school, but life.”
Junior Prerna Singh said, “Class rank creates an environment in which every student is out for his- or herself. We are all competing against each other. It’s sometimes hard to help another classmate in school because it would be simultaneously hurting myself.” Many other students at East share a similar perspective with Singh, and are disappointed in the lack of comradeship among East students. When asked if she could say anything positive about class rank, Senior Alexa Muir replied, “Absolutely not. Class rank made high school one big competition. It was stressful, and I want class rank to be changed.”
Students at East worry and stress over class rank because they believe their number will affect their admittance to college. Sophomore Michelle Qiu states, “All colleges look at class rank to see if they’re gonna accept you. Because it’s so competitive, students want to do well and compete for high rankings to get accepted to their dream college. Some take it to the extreme and end up harming themselves and others.” Senior Lauren Shine added, “People make class rank into a huge deal, much bigger than it really is. I know that it affects college admissions, and East students tend to stress about anything affecting college admissions.”
Many students at East are disappointed in the learning atmosphere among their peers, and feel that the elimination of class rank would help fix this problem. “The overall atmosphere of learning at East would be more positive if class rank was eliminated. I’ve seen kids go to a social worker and have mental breakdowns because they are unhappy with their rank. If they do badly on a test they feel like it’s going to have a significant impact on their rank and get depressed,” said senior Kiran Garg. Senior Erin Clough added, “I wish there wasn’t class rank because it makes people feel like they are better than others. It can also make some students feel like they are inferior, which is never good.”
The competition that comes with class rank also has negative effects on work habits. Some students may decide they cannot compete, so why bother trying? These students who may have otherwise been motivated to work hard to get the good grades they are capable of, will find themselves comparing their own abilities with a peer’s. Sophomore Leah Orsini believes, “My academic worth shouldn’t be based on one number. It doesn’t represent how hard I work and what my capabilities are.”
Graduated senior, Jessica Marshall, was concerned over her class rank starting in her freshman year. She contemplated her schedule for the next three years of high school, and questioned which classes were better than others. According to class rank, some classes are better. APs and honors courses count more in class rank than regents courses. Electives don’t count at all. Many students at East are constantly concerned over which courses to choose in order to boost their ranking, instead of selecting courses to fit their interests. Senior Jakob Karbowski said, “I think that there was a certain way to stack courses to boost class rank. It sucks for me and everyone else who didn’t find out about this until senior year.”
Class rank should no longer be calculated at Williamsville East High School. It has too many negative connotations, from the stress it adds, the mindset it puts students in, how unfairly it is weighted, how biased it is towards certain students, and the arbitrary use of it by schools that in turn harms are students. In the best interest of the students of Williamsville East, class rank should be eliminated.
By: Rielly Hennessy
Class rank has created a culture of healthy competition among the students at East. Class rank can motivate students to do their best, be rewarding, enhances positive competition in the learning environment, and puts students’ GPAs in context. Class rank continues to be a positive influence on our students’ learning and attitudes towards competition.
Motivation is a key element in success, whether it be to lose weight, earn money, achieve goals, or master a skill. It brings people closer towards their goals. Class ranking is just another great motivator. Class rank pushes students to do their absolute best in school. Mr. Weber, guidance counselor, feels that class rank motivates students to achieve greater and have academic success. He said, ‘’ I think having a class rank system allows the student to be more aware of their achievements.’’ Senior Lauren Anderson agrees, and believes, “Class rank has some positives on the student body of East. I would say that it makes people work harder, and they achieve more.” Class rank causes motivation in students.
Senior Lisa He agrees, and believes, “Class rank is very rewarding for those who work hard. The people at the top have worked very hard for four years, and deserve to be recognized for their efforts. Rank also creates competition and ”
When Mrs. Hawk was questioned about the effects of class rank on student motivation, she replied, “Class rank can drive students to take AP courses.” This can be a huge benefit to students in the college admissions process and help them achieve their learning goals. The more AP classes students take, the more likely they will be accepted into top ranked universities. Therefore, the positive pressures from class rank puts on students will lead to rewards during the college application process. Students who want to be the one on top of the charts will be driven to take hard courses to be the best.
Class ranking can also be very rewarding. Mrs. Seivert, an English and resource teacher exclaimed, “I think this ranking is positive for the top students because they can be acknowledged for their hard work.” When class rank comes out each fall, those who put in hard work and true efforts will feel good and be rewarded. A recent East graduate, Mike Regges, was questioned about how class rank affected him. He said, “I think that class rank can academically profit students and let them know that all their uphill struggle, stress with tough courses, and competition will pay off in the end. When I went to East, I remember all the fussing around trying to take all the hardest AP courses to try to help my class rank numbers move up. It introduced me into the competitive environment that I faced in medical school.” Mike Regges was effected by class rank and it made him challenge himself to be the greatest he could be. The work ethic instilled in Regges by class rank as a high school student followed him through medical school, and he is now a very successful heart surgeon.
Class rank can also notify how the student is doing academically. A sophomore Hannah Rohl said, “I feel class rank is for the people who want to know where they stand in comparison to others. It should have nothing to do with the value of learning.” Sophomore Jenna Marcus has told our staff, “I kind of want to have a class rank, just so I can see where I am. I’m curious.” Many students at East believe that class rank should be given to those students who want to know.
Class rank can give students a gentle introduction to real world competition that prepares them to succeed in life. A sophomore student Julie Sciolino remarked, “You are going to be competing for jobs, especially now a days, so if you are pushed to do your best by class rank, it’s helpful when you’re fighting to get a job.” Julie Sciolino’s mother, Michele Sciolino, was asked the same question and responded by saying,”Class rank might inspire some students to work harder and improve their grades so that they can compete with others. Students are naturally competitive.” Students and their classmates will compete for the top title and be ready to battle and succeed in their occupation and life.
Ranking brings friendly competition that is sometimes taken to the extreme. A sophomore, Sonakshi Sharma, said, “Class rank is supposed to show you where you stand among your classmates. People take it to a competitive level and take themselves as being a number; thats not the intention.” Senior Alexandra Somer agrees, and has said, “People take class rank to mean that they are inferior or superior to others based on their number. That isn’t the point.”
On About Career website it said, “On average, 250 resumes are received for each corporate job opening. In addition, out of every 1000 people who view an online job posting, 100 people will apply, 4 – 6 will be selected for an interview, 1 – 3 will be invited for a final interview and 1 will be offered the job.” Job competition is borderline crazy. Luckily, if students work hard to be at the top of their class, this practice will help tremendously in the future to be that one and only to get that job.
Class rank affects our East student body in an awesome way. It helps to motivate students to try as hard as they can and can be very satisfying in the end. Rank promotes healthy competition between students, and introduces them to real world competition they will face in the job market. Class rank can also put GPA in context. All of these ideas tie into what class rank really is. It’s a number that will lead students to be motivated, leads to healthy competition against their classmates, puts your GPA in context, and can be a reward when the labor is finished.
