Is High School Just a Path for College?

Woodward Academy is a college preparatory school. The newest question concerns college vs. high school, but what does this mean? Is our schooling only for college, or is there something we should take out of high school other than just college preparation? College preparation, other than just consisting of classwork, also combines a hefty resume of activities. In this day and age, the second someone enters into high school, that student’s world starts to take shape around college. It is easy to fear that all of our work done in high school is collectively evaluated by the colleges one applies to. 

Sadie Weinstein ‘26 loves the high school experience so far.

“I think it’s about meeting people who are gonna support you and really find who you really are,” Weinstein said.

India Smith ‘26 also sees the importance of high school and has already gained so much. 

“I think it’s about building friendships . . . [for] life,” Smith said.

Zari Carr ‘25, who’s a little more experienced in high school, understands both sides. 

“I think it’s a mix of both, I think there’s definitely throughout, especially as you get older, the courses become more rigorous,” Carr said. 

She sees her curriculum as the differentiating factor between the high school experience and college preparation.   

“I feel like every class prepares you for something but also at the same time, high school is about the memories you make with people and the experiences you have,” Carr said.

Richard Wofford ‘24 has a different view on the differences because of his experiences in high school. 

“I think there’s definitely like a lot of stuff we do that’s not just about getting into college and it’s more about actually benefiting you as a person,” Wofford said. 

Wofford believes Woodward is built just as much to be a high school as a college preparatory institution. 

“A lot of the material we learned, all the . . . extracurricular stuff like a lot of sports and all these things they do help you get in, but if you’re doing it just to get in it’s not really worth the work,” Wofford said.

Sports and other extracurricular activities are just high school experiences for some people. Why do something you don’t enjoy just for a different part of your education? Wafford understands that our curriculum is also different. 

“A lot of material we learn it’s not just like taking many classes that you put on your resume,” Wofford said. “A lot of classes have a lot tougher requirements than a lot of other schools which kind of makes it harder to get into colleges but to make sure that you’re capable of getting something from the classes.”.   

Woodward Academy College Counselor Jessie Bowen believes that there is so much to be found in the high school experience. 

College Counselor Jesse Bowen. Photo Credit Katie Savage.

“There’s so much benefit in… being here and being present in the moment of high school,” Bowen said. 

High school is a whole different concept from college, even if there are overlapping characteristics. 

“Yes, certainly, I think a good portion of what you do in high school is preparing you for the next step in your educational journey,” Bowen said. “However when I think about the experiences that you’re having here in high school I would never want you to think of this just as preparing you for college.” 

High school is not just a test of abilities, but also a journey. 

“There are a multitude of experiences that you’re having here at Woodward that you’ll never have again in high school or in college,” Bowen said. “Whether that’s going to football games with your friends [or] competing in high school level sports.” 

High school is only four years long and so there is no need to waste it. 

“I don’t want students to think of high school only as preparing them for college,” Bowen said. “I think it is good preparation but every student needs to appreciate the moment that they’re in right now.”