As a freshman, I really value the high school credits I got in middle school. Entering high school with credits leads to fewer classes you’re required to complete, meaning less work and less late-night studying for tests. After three years of Chinese and AP Spanish in middle school, I see no reason why I should have to redo it in high school. 

DCPS doesn’t give us a lot of days off, but they do give us the chance to get ahead by accepting some middle school credits. In fact, many Jackson-Reed students have taken high school credits in middle school. While talking to current JR students, seven students from Deal confirmed that they had taken Algebra 1, two students from Oyster-Adams said they took Algebra 1, and one student from Hardy said they took Algebra 1.

Getting credits done in middle school gives you the chance to get ahead of your peers or take classes you’re actually interested in. Less credits that you’re required to do can free up your schedule and take off pressure.

By already having done my language requirements in middle school, I was able to fit two academies into my schedule. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone, as it depends on whether your middle school offered you the opportunity. Though getting credits in middle school is a great way to get ahead, for those who don’t have early credits, it can feel unfair. What everyone has to remember is that early credits are helpful, but in most cases, they don’t determine when you graduate (you’ll still be standing next to your peers in four years) or your high school experience. Early credits don’t completely change your schedule as everyone has to take art, music, gym, and health. In addition, if your schedule can’t fit in the electives you want, you can always apply for dual enrollment or take those electives in college. 

Middle school classes are different from high school in the sense that the course load is significantly harder. Doing your language or math classes in high school may give you a better learning and understanding of the class because of its intense rigor. Even though I had done my language credits in middle school, I still chose to take Italian high school. After six months of being in Italian 1, I have found that I like and prefer the teaching style in high school better than middle school. 

At the end of the day, being able to bring in your middle school credits into high school is a blessing, but completing required classes in high school can also be beneficial.