Irekanmi Awoyiga
Grade 10 is a year of changes, a year to adapt. The transition from junior high to high school is an important and transformative experience. Like any change it may not be easy, but for a lot of grade 10s, it does not seem too difficult. I think one student said it best: “Grade 10 is exciting.”
Common comments I got from grade 10s regarded the size of the building and size of the student population. Many students are amazed by the size of the school as well as the architectural design. Grade 10s felt that the school was a place to explore and this is very obvious. I see many grade 10s at lunch exploring the outdoors, walking to the Irving, and sitting on the second and third floors. They are not confining themselves to just the cafeteria.
On the topic of the cafeteria, one thing that three different grade 10 students repeated is that they find the cafeteria way too small. Students understand that there were many other considerations that went into the construction of CPA, but it seems to be something that surprised many grade 10s, especially considering the school population. It is also a topic many grade 10 band students are talking about, because it often leads to the question: “Why is there no auditorium?” Nonetheless, the well thought-out design and beauty of the school makes up for this.
The grade 10 student population is big. This is something that almost all grade 10s agreed upon. One student said, “It’s hard to go up and down the stairs without being squished.” As the youngest students, many of us are not as tall as the grade 11s and 12s, so we often do get squished. I am a bit surprised that no one has gotten hurt. It is probably because of how nice CPA students are!
Students often compared their grade 10 experience to grade 9. Plenty of students said that everything about CPA was much better than their junior high. One student said, “I like that our classes are mixed with new people because that allows me to be with different groups of people … This is something that was not easily done in junior high.” I think that being in a new environment with new students is making grade 10s enjoy school even more than they did before. Some students did find it a bit difficult to go from relatively easy and laid-back grade 9 classes to more demanding and strict grade 10 classes -- though they understand that it is ultimately preparing them for the future.
Academically, the transition was a bit more difficult than in the other aspects of school. Many grade 10s had a rocky first month, regarding quizzes and tests. From the perspective of one student, “Everything’s easy after the first month.” Many grade 10s agreed on this. Once they got their academic rhythm going, studying was easier, quiz and test marks improved, and students were more engaged in class. A Pre-IB student told me, “I love how grade 10 Pre-IB has not been too difficult and not much has changed from grade 9.” To this extent, it seems students who were well prepared had a smoother academic transition than those who were not, or who took a bit longer to adapt.
Surprisingly, only one or two students talked to me about the social aspects of grade 10 and CPA in general. These students are trying to open themselves up to making new friends from other junior highs, or even just from outside of their general comfort zone. This is something I think all grade 10s should attempt.
In conclusion, many students have a very positive outlook on their experience thus far at CPA. I would say my favourite description of the year so far was when a student told me that grade 10 is ‘just peachy’. Grade 10s are very happy with the quality of CPA, and frankly how awesome it is to finally go to this school.
