Since 1998, freshmen attending the Woodhaven-Brownstown School district have attended Patrick Henry Middle School, but this soon changed. Many thought this day would never come, as many upperclassmen and teachers prefer to keep the school a 10-12th grade building.
Starting in the fall of the 2024-2025 school year, freshmen will be moved into Woodhaven High School.
With packed hallways, some may ask what is the purpose of adding roughly another 200 students to the mix. With overcrowded hallways, some students already find it difficult to show up to class on time due to a high number of students.
With only five minutes of passing time, some students can’t get around large crowds of students. Additionally, adding freshmen makes the hallways seem more narrow and more overfilled.
Teachers and students were asked their opinions about how they believe the change has affected them.
Mrs. Ashley McFadden, a 9th grade algebra teacher, “It’s different. It’s not bad, and it’s not good. It’s just an adjustment we will have to make this year,” McFadden said.
Mr. Jay Vesperman, the principal of Woodhaven High School said, “I believe having students in the same building for a full four year high school experience is extremely valuable,” Vesperman said.
“I feel like we can speak on behalf of most seniors that we don’t really like the freshman being moved over,” A group of seniors said.
Senior Alexis Wilds, “I didn’t mind the freshmen coming over at first but after seeing how crowded everything is it definitely makes things more difficult. Especially in the hallways when I’m trying to get to class, it takes a lot longer to get from class to class,” said Wilds.
The expansion of Woodhaven High School was to benefit grades 9-12 by creating a more diverse atmosphere. According to Woodhaven High School, “Freshman students will feel more engaged and woven into the high school fabric as they will attend classes on the same campus.” The school’s growth allows students to spread out to all parts of the building.
Additional classrooms were built as a result of incoming freshmen. Some students and teachers remain unhappy due to the small classroom space. The old band and choir rooms were rebuilt into classrooms for freshman students.
A new wing was added to the school with the creation of new band and choir rooms along with other new renovations around the school.
With new updates to the school, and freshmen now attending Woodhaven High School, teachers and students are still adapting to the change.
Gene Snell • Nov 11, 2024 at 3:18 pm
Freshmen belong in the high school. Prior to 1998 freshmen attended the high school only to move into middle school due to crowding. That is really no longer a consideration. Freshmen are much closer in age and maturity to sophomores thru seniors than they are to 7th and 8th graders. Freshmen will benefit from the additional facilities and instruction available at the high school – as they should. Parents and teachers alike should advocate for a four year high school.