Block schedules, SMART lunch, dress code, and  cafeteria food is what thirty Wakefield High School Seniors are leaving behind this January.  There are various reasons why students would like to leave high school early, but they will always remember their time spent at Wakefield.

Some students are starting college, or getting jobs while others are joining the military, or taking time off to start their lives.  All are fantastic options that leave seniors who are stuck in school for another semester in awe.  However, graduating early is not for everyone.

“Graduating early is definitely a great option for anyone that is positive about what they would like to pursue in life,” said senior, Connie Grady.  “It gives them the opportunity to move forward in their career and education at an early start if that person is ready.  It takes a hardworking and committed student to graduate early.”

Students rarely regret their decision in cutting their high school careers short.  There are many perks to starting college classes in the spring and many students just cannot wait to get to their chosen campus.  Past mid-year graduates think of it as one of the best decisions of their lives.

“I do not have any regrets about graduating early,” said college sophomore, Marissa Bochenek.  “I was still able to hangout with my friends and go to senior prom.”

Many students are simply ready to be done with high school which is the predominant reason as to why students choose to graduate early.

“High school isn’t for everyone and if you want a head start on college, graduating early is the best option,” said Bochenek.

During senior year, classes can begin to feel tedious and redundant because seniors have almost all of the credits that they need to graduate.

“I would just be taking electives,” said senior, Drake Blalock.  “It wouldn’t be productive to just take those classes rather than graduating and starting work or college.”

Faculty and staff also believe graduating early is a fantastic opportunity for students.

“We are really excited for the thirty students who will leave in January,” said counselor, Nadia Campbell.

Teachers with students graduating early see this as a great way to keep seniors who are ready to leave high school focused throughout the semester.

“Typically [mid-year graduates] don’t have senioritis as seriously as students who stay through the spring semester,” said English teacher, Susen Douglass.  “They are also more focused and they tend to stay on top of assignments.”

Life after graduation seems to be looking pretty well for those that have everything planned out.

“I think [the decision to graduate early] will be really nice in the future,” said senior, Megan Mallory.  “I am getting a lot of my hard classes done, so that when I do transfer to a four-year college, I will already have the general classes out of the way.”

Wakefield’s mid-year graduates are extremely excited for January 21, 2016 to come around.

“I think this decision will influence my future in a positive aspect,” said Grady.  “I have worked very hard and it has strengthened characteristics within myself that will be beneficial in life.”

High school is almost over and the early grads could not be more excited.

“I am counting down the minutes until I am out,” said Mallory.