The 9th Grade’s Class Identity
“Though not everyone may perceive their class culture the same, it is notable to bring importance towards the ones who may feel differently.”
The Class of 2027 is a class that may feel unknown so far to others. Class identity is a very significant factor that has a possibility to affect the next years of high school for these students. I’ve gotten in touch with a few 9th grade students to find out how they feel about their current experience starting high school, especially within the Comp Sci High community.
When I heard from multiple students, I realized that not everyone has experienced fully positive feelings towards their first year of high school. Although not all of it is negative, there are definitely some highlights of their year so far. Of the positive experiences, Jessica Cruz Dabrowska, ninth-grade student at Comp Sci High highlights the fun in her classes and the joy of making new friends despite their differences. She describes herself as reliable and supportive towards fellow students, but she says sometimes it feels as if peers use this to their advantage. Jessica believes that her perception of herself and her peers has been impacted by her current experience as a freshmen.
She told me: “The 9th grade as a whole feels disconnected, obviously being separated into different friend groups but to the point where there would be drama involved with other groups, disconnecting the grade.” Additionally, she feels that the drama will continue regardless of what advisors and teachers do. She isn’t the only one who feels this way.
Another student, Jonathan Serrano, has shared similar feelings towards the ninth-grade class culture. He stated: “The 9th graders seem to not have anything in common with each other. I feel that this generation relies too much on social media to actually have a real connection with anyone.”
To him his school year so far has been impacted by this: “My experience in 9th grade isn’t going so well because the freshmen in Comp Sci High can be a lot to deal with at times.” He continues to elaborate, stating that some students can be disrespectful and have left him feeling offended. While this may be the case for some students, he has had positive interactions with a select group of students and finds advisors and teachers reliable and approachable.
A few other students had noted that they feel disconnected and separated from their grade as a whole. Though not everyone may perceive their class culture the same, it is notable to bring importance towards the ones who may feel differently. Additional statements were made by students who wished to remain anonymous. From remarks like “I’ve seen students act very rude towards their teachers and peers, not focusing on work and getting low grades as they don’t try to succeed in this school” to “I don't really connect with anyone outside of my small group I talk to” to “I simply don't feel a connection within this school and its students or teachers,” it is clear that there has been a social disconnect experienced by some of the 9th grade class. I wonder if there is a lack of awareness of how other students may make others feel in the Comp Sci High community.