People talk all the time about “how the school system has failed students.” But has it actually failed? Or is it just a lack of resources? What classes do students have to take? What are the classes they wish they had? How would those classes help? 

Has the school system failed? That’s the important question, right? Right in our backyard, Great Bend schools as of 2023-2024 we had 953 students enrolled into the high school. But we only have 69 teachers, that is a 14:1 ratio. So honestly has it failed? Or is it just a matter of not having enough teachers to teach students those things that they want or needing?

Mrs. Meadows, a counselor at Great Bend stated, “I don’t necessarily think that the school system has failed students,” She added “I think it’s more opportunities being missed and that has to do with not having the amount of teachers that you need.” 

What are the classes that students wish they had? What do they feel would be beneficial for after school? Well, to summarize the hundreds of classes to help students for after high school, a life 101 class would be beneficial. A class that teaches kids everything they need to know about the real world.

“I think a self defense class would be a class that I would like to take if the school offered it.” Matthew Williams a Junior at Great Bend High School stated. 

Matti Stoskopf, one of the Seniors at Great Bend High School, said, “A class about financing and finding a house or apartment and how much money you should save up for it.” 

A life 101 class, it would have all of this and so much more. It would help students so much, because once we leave the safety of our classrooms we have no idea what to expect. So, what classes are students required to take? 

“They have to take 4 years of English, 3 years of science, 3 math, 3 years of social science, 1 fine arts and 1 PE Credit,” Mrs. Meadows stated.

How exactly do those help students after high school?

“Honestly it depends on what you’re going to do after high school. No matter what, in a professional setting you’re going to want those English classes.” Mrs. Meadows said. 

So in the end. Has the school system failed students? We don’t have the resources. That’s just a fact. We don’t have the building space, or the money to get more, we don’t have enough teachers or the money to get more.

We have classes that we have to take and although yes, it would be better if that shifted between each student and what they wanted to do after high school, they can come in handy no matter what. So now it comes back to you, you decide. Has the school system failed students?