by EVAN YAO
The Chadwick Upper School is notorious for its tireless pursuit of the most effortless and stress-free education in all of the South Bay.
Chadwick’s homework policy states: “Homework in regular classes shall not exceed the maximum of 45 minutes, while honors class shall not exceed the maximum of 60 minutes.” Upper School teachers abide strictly by the policy, to the chagrin of the student body.
“The homework that our teachers assign is truly a breeze. I often go home with nothing to do. My thirst for schoolwork cannot be quenched,” freshman Anders Gustafson said.
The lack of homework leaves students with too much free time and too many hours to sleep, leaving students bored and sick of leisure. At the unanimous request of the student body, the administration has taken a new approach to student wellness: WickSkills.
Since its debut, WickSkills has gained massive popularity among students–especially the freshman class, which is mandated to attend the course. Instead of having a free 7th period on Mondays, ninth-graders enjoy a session of critical life skills.
These life skills include mainly the harsh academic preparation absent from Chadwick’s other curriculum. Students spend the hour on SAT test prep, TEA practice writing, transfer math problems and WWI history pop quizzes.
Unsurprisingly, the freshmen are thrilled to finally receive the rigorous education they sought coming to Chadwick. Freshman Jeanie Chua exclaimed, “I wouldn’t know what I would be doing Monday 7th periods if it weren’t for WickSkills. WickSkills has completely prepared me for life outside of Chadwick.”
WickSkills’ popularity has threatened other co-curriculars, including Model UN, community service and robotics. Advisors are infuriated that students across grades are dropping sports and other clubs to transfer into WickSkills.
“I’ve taken WickSkills every semester, all four years,” senior Jada Nakagawa said. “I can’t imagine what I would do with a free period, since I’ve never had homework here.”
Some students are even petitioning to establish WickSkills, WickSkills Honors and AP WickSkills as a core class in Chadwick’s A-F period block schedule. This addition also calls for academic and effort grades in the courses, which students sorely miss.
“The only issue with WickSkills is that there’s not enough work. I want more quizzes and grades to make sure I stay on track,” sophomore Nikko Nickerson said.
Next year, Chadwick hopes to hire at least five new teachers to meet the massive demand for WickSkills on campus.
After years of Chadwick gaining a well-deserved reputation as a slacker school, the entire Chadwick community is glad to see academics finally become an institutional priority.
The Mainsheet 