Senn High School Makes Drastic Cuts To Arts Program, Frustrating Families: ‘A Bait-And-Switch’
‘It’s A Bit Of A Bait-And-Switch’
Nicholas Senn High School, a neighborhood high school with a fine and performing arts magnet program, is cutting the arts class time nearly in half after a Chicago Public Schools audit found some students in the program weren’t able to meet graduation requirements. The school is now cutting the arts class time nearly in half, from two daily, back-to-back classes to one class per day.
The graduation requirements some Senn arts students were missing are physical education and computer science, according to the school. In the past, schools could manually graduate seniors who didn’t meet graduation requirements “due to special circumstances,” but now, students will need a district waiver if they don’t meet requirements. CPS leadership indicated Senn arts students would not be given waivers for not taking the required year of computer science and four years of physical education.
The school is making this change due to a decrease in enrollment in arts programs citywide, according to Principal Holly Dacres. “They [CPS] were clear that arts enrollment is down across the city and they cannot resource more than one conservatory program citywide as that program is able to serve the population of students looking for that experience,” Dacres wrote.
Parents and students are frustrated by the decision, saying it feels like a “bait-and-switch.” The reduction of arts class time means students will not have the opportunity to study both the practical and theoretical aspects of their chosen discipline. Some parents are considering looking into other schools, and students are rallying against the curriculum change.
Families Frustrated by Decision
Several parents told Block Club they were frustrated by the decision and hoped the district would come up with a “creative solution” instead of simply cutting class time. Jason Menard, whose child is a sophomore in the Senn arts program, said, “The frustration a lot of parents and students are feeling is they’re not getting the benefit of what they chose, that it’s a bit of a bait-and-switch. What’s distinguishing our school from others? Why would [families] choose Senn?”
Fran Tobin, whose son chose Senn specifically for its arts program, said, “If they do what they’re now saying they’re planning to do, it’s nothing like the program that we signed up for. The other piece I think that many of us are frustrated about is this idea that somehow these art students are being mis-served because they’re getting this deeper, more enriched, specialized arts study instead of some other things.”
Students Rally Against Curriculum Change
A student-made petition asking the district to reconsider its decision has 419 signatures as of Wednesday evening. The petition reads, “Our chosen career paths are endangered, stalls erected on our roadways to success. For many of us, Senn Arts is not a leisure pursuit but a stepping stone to a brighter future promised by an artistic career. Therefore, we implore the decision-makers to consider the potential harm these limitations and cutbacks may bring to us, the Senn Arts students.”
CPS Response
A spokesperson for Chicago Public Schools didn’t say whether the district would reconsider their decision in light of the student and parent pushback. “Chicago Public Schools (CPS) highly values arts programming as part of a high quality, rigorous, and joyful student learning experience and is extremely proud of the curriculum and course offerings at Nicholas Senn High School,” spokesperson Quan Vu wrote. “This positions the program to remain a strong arts option to prepare students for careers in the arts as it continues to outpace the standard graduation requirement of two arts courses.”
Conclusion
The decision to cut arts class time at Senn High School has left families and students frustrated and disappointed. While the school claims to value arts programming, the reduction of arts class time goes against the school’s commitment to providing a rigorous and joyful student learning experience. It remains to be seen whether the district will reconsider its decision in light of the pushback from families and students.
FAQs
Q: Why is Senn High School cutting arts class time?
A: The school is cutting arts class time due to a decrease in enrollment in arts programs citywide.
Q: What graduation requirements are some Senn arts students missing?
A: Some Senn arts students are missing physical education and computer science requirements.
Q: Will Senn arts students be given waivers for not taking the required year of computer science and four years of physical education?
A: No, according to CPS leadership, Senn arts students will not be given waivers for not taking the required year of computer science and four years of physical education.
Q: Will the district reconsider its decision in light of the student and parent pushback?
A: A spokesperson for Chicago Public Schools did not say whether the district would reconsider its decision.
