De Soto High School has now launched a new program open for seniors. It is a part-time student program. This program allows seniors to only come to the classes they need to graduate and then leave school to go to work or other classes.

This is an opportunity for seniors to be able to get a jump start on their future. If they so choose, they can come to DHS, take their required classes then leave to earn more money for college, or go to college itself.

It also frees seniors from being required to take the same electives they have already taken.

Christine Johns, guidance counselor at DHS, explained some of the reasons for the change. She stated, “if you passed eight classes over four year, you are going to have 32 credits when we only need 25 for graduation.”

She explains the many seniors go into their senior year only needed three out of eight credits. This meant that, before this program, seniors would need to sign for classes they might have taken before, or really do not need.

Clearing this extra schedule space allows other students, who are in more need of them, to take those classes.

There are some criteria a senior must meet to qualify for the program. They must have parent approval, all passing grade during first semester, not be enrolled in night courses to make up graduation credits, will obtain needed credits and have a valid reason.

There are also some conditions. The one that has been a deterrent among some has been the policy on extracurricular involvement. The condition is that the student must be enrolled in at least five courses to participate in activities or athletics.

Some feel this is a negative point to the program “if I only had to have two classes and I had to take five, I could still just go to my two classes then come back for my activities,” said senior Richelle Burns

Still, this condition does stop many from participating in the part time program.

With the rise of this new program, the long standing question of early graduation once again popped up.

When asked about this Johns explained that it has been in the district policy but has never been put to action and publicized. Students can apply to “graduate” early, but they do not technically get their diploma until May.

The biggest problem with the application process to graduate is that there is no actual application.

According to Johns, “this is something new that [the district] is looking into.”

Overall, Johns feels this is a positive change and believes it will help the school.

The deadline for this year has passed but seniors next year will have the opportunity to apply for part time for second semester next year.