Switching Schools

Kyla Schuler

            Chattering lunch tables, sticky and humid classrooms, teachers overloading kids on homework, a vast array of unique children; all of these describe a typical day at school. School is a place where children are educated and it should be a safe and warm welcoming feeling right? This statement can sometimes be proven wrong. Some schools are just the opposite of that, and that is why my family and I decided to switch schools.

            My parents decided that my sisters and I were going to change school the year before I entered eight grade. My former school (Yellow Medicine East) was not the proper place for education. The teachers there were not friendly and welcoming at all which made it hard for me to get help on stuff that I didn’t understand. My grades 7^th grade year started to really slip and I began not to care at all about my studies. Another thing that gave my parents the extra little shove to transfer schools was the student body. Kids where getting caught sneaking drinks to school in water bottles, drug trades, and more pregnant teens then you can count with your fingers.

            Changing schools in the middle of junior high was a big challenge. I was not equipped with the study skills that the rest of the class had received in 7^th grade and the grading scale was more intense that I had been used too. But there are many more positive to the changing schools. The biggest and most excellent was being able to be open about my faith. It was hard to adjust to being able to talk openly about Christ. It was strange to be able to pray during class, but I soon got used to it and now I can’t see it being any other way! I also love the size of the classes switching from a big public school to a private school. It is awesome to have a small class because there is more one on one time with teachers so you understand more of what is happening.

            When I transferred to Central I was deathly afraid that I was not going to fit in or have any friends at all, but once I stepped into that class room on the first day of school all of my nerves were calmed. Everybody was so welcoming and friendly. They made me feel like I had been there forever. Now I couldn’t see myself having any other classmates. I am so grateful that God placed me in this class, I couldn’t ask for a better one!

            The change from YME to Central was an immense decision that took a lot of thought and prayer. But I am so thankful that God chose to put me where I am now. It was an enormous change going from a public school to a Christ-Centered private school.  It was a battle to keep up my grades and learn to apply myself to a new length that I had never attempted before. But it was so, so, so worth it. I know that I am now getting a high education along with strengthening my faith with Christ. I wouldn’t want to be at any other school then where I am now!