Jared Perlmutter–

The RCDS class of 2023 class is about to graduate after a long and rigorous four years of hard work, standardized testing, and college applications. This class will finally be free from the pressures of high school. Thank. Goodness. Say goodbye to all nighters, calc exams, and the tyranny of early morning classes. This should be a good thing… right? Surprisingly, not all seniors are convinced; in fact, a large portion of students in the senior class have reported having “withdrawals” from their school work. Without the thrill of stressing over college decisions, Rye Country Day students are determined to find their calling. In fact, many are experiencing an eighth life crisis.

The initiative for a more rigid second semester began as a result of students seeking meaningful work to address their need for academic stimulation. A wide range of students claim that Rye Country Day has not adequately prepared them for the challenges of post graduation. An anonymous student explained her reasoning: “After getting a perfect score on my SAT, ACT, and 5s on all my APs, I thought I was ready for college. I even took every single Honors Seminar course. But then we began senior assassin… and I got spooned… on the first day. It became clear to me I wasn’t equipped for the challenges of the real world.” Another student expressed similar sentiments. “I mean, how am I supposed to be a future partner at Goldman if I can’t win spoons?” he wondered. “I have so much more to learn.”

As a result, Rye Country Day is offering admission options to seniors for a fifth year in the RCDS Upper School. In this fifth year, students will be exposed to all the things they weren’t able to accomplish in their short high school years. Rye Country Day has refined the syllabus for 13th graders, in which the word “rigor” will be redefined to prepare students for the real world. The challenges of this year will go beyond SAT prep, AP scores, and somehow Honors Seminars– which many assumed to be the highest possible levels. If you thought your first four years were challenging, you’re in for a treat. 

One controversial aspect of the syllabus was deemed an impossible task by its critics, one even harder than the AB calc exam. What could be harder than linear algebra equations, you may ask? Organizing the club system. Students will implement knowledge they learned through their four years and apply it to make the club system somehow understandable for students.

Additionally, rising 13th graders will be tasked with increasing the amount of pizza sales at school, extending spirit weeks, and scheduling more advisory time and special schedules; all essentials Rye Country Day desperately needs more of. The administration wants to focus on real life problem solving, not just theoretical problems from a textbook.

Students are especially excited about one specific aspect of the extended high school experience: their romantic relationships (or situationships) just received an extended expiration date. Seniors who have too much time on their hands can say goodbye to that weird two month gray area before college. There is now no need to break it off the day after prom… the situation just got a lot brighter.

The academic and social benefits of Rye Country Day’s fifth year option are endless. However, spots are limited; the administration will only accept the best and brightest. Criteria will include submission of your common application, a supplement on busy work, and a recommendation letter from at least three fictional characters from classic literature.

We need to challenge our students more, and this is the way to do it.

See you next year Seniors.