After being told in June that classes usually provided by Shorewood weren’t available to her, Shorecrest student Millie Wang and her family stepped into action. Despite what Millie’s counselor said, Superintendent Susana Reyes told them that “student registration between Shorecrest and Shorewood has not been restricted” for the 2023-2024 school year. Right before the school year started, Millie learned that there were no spots available in AP Biology at Shorewood and that she didn’t get into any of the three spots in AP Physics 2. As an aspiring scientist, Millie hoped to be able to join these AP science classes to further her interests and career. Not one to give up, her family emailed Shorewood’s principal, Mr. Dunbar. After multiple emails with no response, Millie’s family CCed the superintendent, and he responded by saying, “Shorewood is currently overenrolled, and classes are very full.” Despite this, he decided to add two more spots to AP Physics 2, both of which were filled by Shorecrest seniors. On the eve of the first day of school, Millie reached out to her counselor to ask about openings, where she learned that two spots were available in AP Chemistry, one of her alternatives. Although these spots usually go to seniors, one of Millie’s friends knew how much this opportunity meant to her and gave Millie her spot. After over three months of bad communication and unclear options, Millie finally had access to an AP science class at Shorewood.
In the past, Shorecrest Students have had access to classes like Auto 1 and 2, Advanced Auto, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 2, and occasionally AP Calculus BC through traveling to Shorewood. Usually during periods 3 and 4, students are able to transition between school buildings by car or bus. Schools make this possible by allowing students to leave their Highlander Homes ten minutes early and allowing 10 extra minutes on Wednesdays. While traveling on short Wednesdays can be described as an inconvenience, teacher flexibility, along with built-in breaks like extended passing and lunch, make this possible. However, it isn’t always easy. Students in the past have complained about buses being late or unreliable. Parking at schools becomes very difficult in the middle of the day, sometimes forcing students to park illegally in order to get to class on time. This year, fewer people take the bus, with only one Shorewood student consistently riding it. However, this resource continues to be an option for both Shorecrest and Shorewood students.
Usually, Shorewood reserves some spots for Shorecrest students, with an entire Auto class of 32 students devoted to helping educate Scots in learning about the mechanics of cars and starting them on the path of joining the auto industry. In other classes, between ten and twenty Shorecrest students participated in more advanced courses to further their interests and possible careers in medicine, environmental sciences, biochemistry, technicians, and so much more. Despite these visible changes in class sizes, the superintendent has stated for the 2023-2024 school year that, “once the schedules for both high schools have been finalized, students may request to join a class at Shorewood or Shorecrest if there is space available in the class and if the class can fit with their schedule at their home school.” Past SC assistant principal Ms. Shawver has corroborated this and never mentioned any change to students.
However, according to counselor Wendy Friedman, the Shoreline School District, “felt that there wasn’t enough budget to save space for Shorecrest students in Shorewood classes.” Because there are enough Shorewood students to fill these classes, they no longer want to have to reserve spots for Shorecrest students. This is to maximize class sizes and staffing without the extra chaos and confusion of multiple schools and transportation. Larger classes with fewer teachers mean that the district and schools are saving money. Shorewood Principal Dunbar says, “As part of the reduced educational plan, secondary class planning parameters have been adjusted for the coming school year in such a way that school and district administration anticipates larger class sizes. There is less room in classes for students to travel back and forth between high schools due to this change.” Now, out of the 1,500 Shorecrest students, only 2-6 are allowed per Shorewood class, a mere fraction of what it was previously. This means that more students aren’t allowed in classes that they’re interested in and willing to engage in.
In 2014, when both high schools were being rebuilt, they were designed so that Shorecrest would lose their Auto classroom with the intent that these students would be able to go to the class at Shorewood and Shorewood students could attend theater tech, engineering, and robotics at Shorecrest. What they didn’t plan for was the budget crisis, which would create a divide between the sister schools.
Because of the lack of access to classes offered at Shorewood, Scots have fewer opportunities when continuing to college. Having more advanced classes makes applications look more appealing and gives students more knowledge and confidence later in their educational careers. Shorecrest student Evan Claar, class of 2022, had the opportunity to participate in AP Calculus BC at Shorewood. He’s currently majoring in aeronautical engineering at CalPoly, where solid foundations in math are essential to success. After completing all required math classes plus UW Pre-Calc and AP Calc AB at Shorecrest, he was left with the option of taking AP Statistics or AP Calc AB in his senior year. Statistics, which focuses more on probability, inferences, and data, would be substantially less beneficial to his career in engineering, while aerospace engineering, his intended major, requires a significant amount of calculus. Evan states that he “can’t imagine having to take stats senior year” and that he’s “glad the opportunity was there.” Without the opportunity to travel to Shorewood, Evan would’ve had the options of taking statistics (which wouldn’t have benefitted him as much as AP Calc BC), not taking a math class (which would’ve set him back in his math education), or retaking a math class (which isn’t beneficial or interesting).
In cases like auto shop, the best pathway into that field is through classes that are only available at Shorewood. While Shorecrest students can still take basic engineering or math classes, they don’t have access to a class with more real life skills that they will use throughout their career. Not including Shorecrest students also prohibits more students from finding an interest they didn’t know about. Even students who enjoy engineering are limited in their career exploration because they don’t have as many options and opportunities to work in specific fields. Many students are dependent on a variety of classes at Shorewood because they are necessary or beneficial to their career path.
Shorewood senior Lily Doll is currently one of three Shorewood students in Shorecrest’s Advanced Engineering class. Because of her goal of becoming an engineer, this class is the most logical next step in her high school education. However, this is her third year applying for the class, and she wasn’t even accepted until three weeks into the school year. Regardless of these challenges, having access to a wider variety of classes has made such an impact on her education and career path. Although there is ineffective communication apparent on both sides, the opportunity outweighs the difficulties.
With around twenty Shorecrest students last year signing up for AP Biology alone, it’s evident that these classes are in demand from Scots. Students from both schools want to be able to take the classes that best serve them and are shown as available. However, is it worth it to overpack classrooms if they’re already filled? Is the more important issue the fact that the district doesn’t have the money to add more classes or that schools are limiting outsiders from being accepted? As the ones being impacted, it’s Shoreline students’ right to advocate to their school’s administration and counselors for the best education. As the budget changes in the coming years, the future of Shorecrest and Shorewood travel classes is yet to be determined.
