During the first six weeks of this school year, extreme under- and over-enrollment in core classes impacted both Jackson-Reed students and teachers, leaving many students in courses they didn’t select, and creating a disproportionate number of notably small or large classes.
The DCPS and Washington Teacher’s Union Collective Bargaining Agreement dictates a maximum of 25 students per class. However, that maximum is void in specialized learning courses like AP classes. JR has struggled with overcrowding and large class sizes for many years. But at the same time, the newly opened MacArthur High School in Palisades, a feeder high school for students at Hardy Middle School, is likely to decrease incoming class sizes in the future.
12th grade Assistant Principal Camille Robinson explained that student course requests can contribute to course size. “Some classes are graduation requirements,” she said, listing DC History as one example. “Therefore we must accommodate all students. Our goal is to have class sizes that maximize instruction and learning.”
DC History and Principles of US Government teacher Michael Petillo experiences varied class sizes firsthand. Petillo previously taught large US History classes (both AP and on-level), but he notices a clear “discrepancy between [the size of some of his] senior requirement classes.” One of his US Government classes had over 40 students before scheduling changes were made and is still overcrowded at 38. However, one of his DC history classes is “much smaller” at only 11 students. “With nearly 40 desks and chairs in a room that is built for less than that, [my] ability to support students is inhibited,” Petillo added.
Lucy Getzinger, a senior in an overenrolled US Government class, echoed Petillo’s concerns. “It’s really hard to understand a topic when a teacher doesn’t even have time to get to your questions,” she said. Getzinger also experienced a scheduling issue that caused her Marine Science course to be dissolved due to lack of enrollment, which she said “seriously messed up [her] entire plan for the year.” She reflected that the issues “feel worse” than last year and thinks a similar trend might “continue for a while.”
Robinson maintained that “there will always be courses that are in higher demand.” She highlighted the work of the administration and counselors in seeking to alleviate these woes, and assured that the school has made “and will continue to make changes in course and teacher schedules as necessary,” in order to facilitate a comfortable academic environment for everyone.
