For the first time in recent memory, Ojai Valley School is granting senior privileges at the beginning of the school year in an effort to push the seniors to embrace more responsibility to gain more freedom.
Senior privileges have long been a contentious topic, with students complaining that they have been introduced too late or are insufficient, and teachers expressing concerns about how seniors at times misuse them.
In order to maintain their privileges, seniors have to meet certain requirements, including opening the Senior Snack Shop and identifying the Senior Gift by the end of the first quarter.
“The hope is to incentivize seniors to do early and quality work to meet responsibilities,” said Fred Alvarez, one of the advisors to the senior class.
Privileges include arriving late to school if a student does not have class in the morning and cutting the lunch line. Boarding students also are able to have their phones during study hall and to stay out of their dorms until midnight instead of 10 p.m.
While these perks may be small, they signify the end of a chapter for seniors and are a milestone.
“I was really surprised when I found out we were getting them earlier, and I hope that we have them all year and no one messes up,” senior Mieke Wells said.
The teachers wanted to implement a new system for privileges as a trial run to see if it would run more efficiently. Instead of the students earning them after meeting their senior obligations, they have already been given their privileges so they have more drive to keep them throughout the year.
“We wanted to find a way to start students at their best place and then challenge them to maintain that,” Mr. Alvarez said.
Seniors are held to a different standard because of age and responsibilities, so senior privileges are a way to prove that and maintain their commitments throughout the year.
Teachers had long conversations regarding these privileges and concluded that this year would be a trial run before to see if the system of early privileges could become permanent.
“These privileges are yours to lose,” Mr. Alvarez told the senior class, “and I sincerely hope we can hold these the entire year.”