Desmond Keuper
As we all know, Approbation was held a few weeks ago during advisory. It is the first approbation that Class IV has attended. At approbation, students received awards for their high grade point averages, the highest awards being presented to discipuli with a 4.0 and the lowest being presented to discipuli with a 3.5. In addition to awards for grades, there were awards presented to discipuli for their achievements in certain areas like seminar and declamation. There were even awards for involvement in extracurricular activities and contribution to the community.
In the weeks that followed, it’s been talked about quite a bit among the school. Talking with other students has left me curious, why do so few discipuli seem to like it?
Why, the next day, did people complain about it to me? Why in previous years have students come away from approbation with feelings of resentment? Despite the school’s attempts to broaden approbation to a celebration of student achievements apart from grade point averages, why does the focus feel so firmly planted on grades?
For the senior class, grade point averages have become a source of stress. Each college has their grade requirements easily accessible on Naviance, and most seniors and juniors have spent many a stress-filled evening comparing GPAs with the averages listed. All TBLS Discipuli have spent nearly every evening working to bring our averages up. Grades may be a source of pride for some discipuli, but for many they are a source of stress.
And a bi-yearly reminder of that source of stress is a source of annoyance for most students.
I recognize the importance of recognizing student achievements. I think the other aspects of approbation should remain: awards for participation in extracurricular activities and interactions with the rest of the community. I believe these awards should be kept. But I don’t see the importance of giving awards based on our grade point averages. Approbation could be a point in the year where students are recognized for achievements outside of the classroom, achievements that are often forgotten.
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