Currently, the senior graduating class every year has an abundance of opportunities allowing them to only be in the building for a certain amount of classes, or not at all. These opportunities include work release, dual enrollment, or even an internship. Seniors have a lot of flexibility in their schedule, and through working with the guidance counselor, they can do pretty much anything. However, this is a controversial topic as many teachers believe that the school needs the seniors in the building to provide more school spirit. It can also be a downfall for certain seniors if they do not come into the building at all.

Ms. Frey, a current science teacher at West Perry High School, explains her thoughts on this matter. Frey is actively around seniors, as she teaches a HACC Biology course through the local community college. She first shares her opinion on dual enrollment for seniors.  “ I think that students should have the opportunity to have dual enrollment and work release, but what I have seen with dual enrollment, is that students are not learning what they should be online versus in the classroom with a teacher.”

Frey was also asked about what benefits there are for seniors who choose to be in the building daily. She says, “Some benefits for the seniors being here in the building because they are still a part of their graduating class, they are here for their activities and things but it is very segregated. They are not here as a whole class as they are for freshmen, sophomore, and junior year. In a way, I feel like they are missing that comradery of their last year all together in the building.”

Frey sees both sides of this matter, and those are the pressing perspectives coming from a teacher. A current senior, Amber Krone, at West Perry High School, was also asked similar questions on her experience so far. Krone does not go into school at all as she is dual enrolled and a part of Cumberland Area Vocational Technical School.

Krone emphasized that she “enjoys the opportunities that seniors currently have because it allows me to get my college career started early and help me to get adjusted to the college lifestyle.”

Along with the positives of dual enrollment, she also discusses some of the negatives as she is not in the building. Krone says, “ There's a loss of a social aspect not being at the high school. It also sometimes feels like you're missing out on things your senior year because you're never in the building.”