By Saffia Tiba
Pioneer High School has seen a drastic increase in the student count in the 2017 school year, causing a large difference compared to Huron High School and Skyline High School.
“Right now in PowerSchool we have listed 1,828 students… is it larger than last year? Yes,” said Jason Skiba, Pioneer class principal.
According to the Student Enrollment Summary, the number of students went up to 1,828 students compared to 1,776 students from the 2016 school year. Pioneer has a significantly higher number of students in relation to Huron High School and Skyline High School. PHS has 201 more students than HHS and 347 more students than SHS, which is close to the number of students in one overall class.
When more students go to a school, it becomes harder for the staff to accommodate their needs. This year PHS provided additional support for the students. A seventh counselor was hired, along with a fifth administrator, Mr. Hyliard, freshmen dean of students.
“The district has done a really good job at providing resources and support as we increase our numbers,” said Skiba.
The increase in students has affected book needs, according to Kathy Robenalt in the Book Depository. “A couple of classes got bigger. For Environmental Science, I had to order more books,” she said.
Sophomore Olivia Smith has personally experienced the large class sizes. “In my English class there is a major shortage of desks so people have to sit on the ground, on the couch, or the heater,” she said.
Although Smith said the class sizes are bigger, according to Skiba class sizes are decreasing. Along with the difference in class sizes, the eating situation has changed. The annex has been closed down during lunch to provide a place for tutoring.
“We have more students and because we have fewer classes, there are some teachers who are actually using the annex for instruction,” said Skiba.
In the past, Pioneer has used portable trailers to act as classrooms. Even though there are many teachers who travel from classroom to classroom, it seems that we won’t be using them anytime soon.
“We aren’t at that point yet,” said Skiba.
Pioneer High School has seen a drastic increase in the student count in the 2017 school year, causing a large difference compared to Huron High School and Skyline High School.
“Right now in PowerSchool we have listed 1,828 students… is it larger than last year? Yes,” said Jason Skiba, Pioneer class principal.
According to the Student Enrollment Summary, the number of students went up to 1,828 students compared to 1,776 students from the 2016 school year. Pioneer has a significantly higher number of students in relation to Huron High School and Skyline High School. PHS has 201 more students than HHS and 347 more students than SHS, which is close to the number of students in one overall class.
When more students go to a school, it becomes harder for the staff to accommodate their needs. This year PHS provided additional support for the students. A seventh counselor was hired, along with a fifth administrator, Mr. Hyliard, freshmen dean of students.
“The district has done a really good job at providing resources and support as we increase our numbers,” said Skiba.
The increase in students has affected book needs, according to Kathy Robenalt in the Book Depository. “A couple of classes got bigger. For Environmental Science, I had to order more books,” she said.
Sophomore Olivia Smith has personally experienced the large class sizes. “In my English class there is a major shortage of desks so people have to sit on the ground, on the couch, or the heater,” she said.
Although Smith said the class sizes are bigger, according to Skiba class sizes are decreasing. Along with the difference in class sizes, the eating situation has changed. The annex has been closed down during lunch to provide a place for tutoring.
“We have more students and because we have fewer classes, there are some teachers who are actually using the annex for instruction,” said Skiba.
In the past, Pioneer has used portable trailers to act as classrooms. Even though there are many teachers who travel from classroom to classroom, it seems that we won’t be using them anytime soon.
“We aren’t at that point yet,” said Skiba.