High schools do not spend enough time and effort preparing their graduates for what comes after this stage. Academically, sure. Washburn Rural offers advanced placement classes, honors classes, and even an International Baccalaureate program. Academically, students are ready for the next level. However, when it comes to figuring out real life scenarios, we could not be further away from where we need to be.

Now, I’ve never had to have a job before this point. A job would certainly set up a solid work ethic and fiscal understanding (depending on what type of job), but it still does not accurately portray the entirety of life after high school. It also is not by any means a requirement for graduation, so jobs do not fall under school responsibility, still leaving education in the spotlight. In a utopian high school, there would be some kind of required class that teaches how to file taxes, budget, do a job interview, file a claim, talk to an insurance agency, and more. There are some classes that briefly go over what these things are, but not how to actually get ahold of them and use them to your advantage. For instance, I can tell you all about different types of loans and interest rates, but not how to file for one or how even to pay it back. I know how to prepare a decent meal, but not how to save the most money on groceries, or even what constitutes as healthy anymore. A class like this could easily be admitted into the curriculum; especially considering some of the classes that are required, but seem a waste of time to some students. Don’t get me wrong, it is good to have a wide range of classes available for students to find their passion. I am merely suggesting that if we are going to have all of these other classes available, we might as well add a life skills one that focuses on getting in and out of college.