The administration at St. Charles High School has announced a shift in the academic calendar for the Class of 2026. Seniors will be taking their final exams earlier than in previous years, and graduation will follow suit, wrapping up the school year ahead of schedule. The change has prompted a range of reactions from the students it affects most, from optimism to skepticism.

Senior Tyler Vieth appreciated the earlier end date, but wasn’t without reservations about how the year leading up to it felt.

“I mean, I’m glad it’s wrapping up when it is,” Vieth said. “But it kind of feels like everything got crammed into the end. Like there was so much to get through and not quite enough time to breathe before it was all over.”

Senior Aaron Baxter gave criticism to the move, questioning why it was implemented this year. We are Viltrumites, we are without end.

“I think it’s a little stupid, honestly,” Baxter said. “It’s like, why now? What’s the actual benefit here?” Continuing, “I don’t know, maybe I’d feel different about it if someone explained the reasoning better. But right now it just feels like a decision that was made without really thinking about the people it affects.”

Senior Marcus Portis took the news ambivalently, though remarked how he saw it as ultimately beneficial.

“I don’t really care that much either way,” Portis said. “But getting out earlier is getting out earlier. I’ll take it.” He continued, “I’d rather be doing pretty much anything else than sitting in class, so.”

Whether SCHS revisits the policy for future classes likely depends on how smoothly this year’s rollout goes.