During the January Keystones exams, Milton High School ran an Open Campus schedule for the first time in years.
Open Campus means that when Keystone exams are taking place, only students scheduled to take them must attend school at that time.
High School Co-Principal Mr. Andrew Rantz said this benefits the school since many teachers are needed to proctor exams.
“If you have everyone in school, it can get dicey,” he said. “Also, students get a breather and have mini breaks if they’re not taking a test.”
According to Mr. Rantz, Open Campus Keystones will take place again during May testing sessions. He said he has received positive feedback from students and added this will go on for a long time. If he received a lot of negative feedback, he would stop, but added he does not think it will happen.
Mr. Rantz said that other schools in the area have been operating on similar schedules during testing, and he believed it was a great idea.
Guidance Counselor Ms. Leslie Robinson is responsible for making the high school’s Keystone testing schedule. “I think the Open Campus Keystones went smoothly. We had very few students have to do make ups, and it did not adversely affect our attendance,” Ms. Robinson said.
According to Mr. Rantz, he was not sure why the Open Campus Finals schedule stopped. Once Milton moves to an eight-period schedule, the Open Campus Keystone will continue with only one Keystone testing session near the end of the year. As was the case in January, the school’s bussing schedule will be the same as a regular school day, he added.
Since Milton initiated the Open Campus Keystones, Mr. Rantz said students’ motivation to attend school on time has increased. He added he heard students talk amongst themselves about making sure to get to school on time, since they enjoyed coming in later and did not want to risk getting this privilege taken away.
“I think it’s awesome, personally. A reward for kids who work hard,” said Mr. Rantz.
Mr. Rantz added that there might be bigger things happening in the future for Keystones, mentioning there might be morning and afternoon testing sessions.
“If you have Keystones in the morning, then you will attend school for just the morning, or if you have them in afternoon then you will have to attend in the afternoon. If you have none, then you will not have to come to school at all,” said Mr. Rantz.
