As we enter the 2025-26 school year, we say goodbye to the beloved seniors of last year and welcome a new group to ETHS. That’s right: the freshmen.
Being a freshman has its many perks. You get to meet new people, hang out with others, and explore lots of sports, clubs, or activities. But while freshman year can be exciting, the change from middle school to high school can be daunting.
This summer, hundreds of incoming freshmen flooded the halls of ETHS in hopes of easing this transition by taking Prep to ETHS. Prep to ETHS is a summer school class offered to incoming freshmen to make their high school experience a little easier.
On paper, this class seems like a fantastic idea, but is it worth it? Freshman Emily Berger, who took the class this summer, believes it is.
“I didn’t know my way around the school very well at the beginning of the year, and prep definitely helped with that,” said Berger. “You get to meet some new people, see how classes work, and how the school runs.”
The course can also be lots of fun. Jake Maxwell, a Junior, fondly remembers the fight song competition.
“Each class records their own version of the ETHS fight song, the staff votes, and the best class wins a bunch of candy,” explained Maxwell.
While Prep to ETHS has its upsides, there are some things that students want to change.
“I thought the class was a little bit long, like I’m not sure if we need to stay for lunch and recess,” stated Berger.
She explained that lunch and recess came at the very end of the class, giving them lots of free time up until the bell rang.
“I think instead of being one of the 8:00 am to 1:30 pm classes, I think it should be like an 8:00 am to 10:30 am class, because I don’t think it’s necessary for it to be any longer than that, if the goal is just to learn about the school,” argued Maxwell, who had a similar opinion on the length of the classes.
While this class is by no means perfect, it can offer a lot to the incoming freshman, making them feel confident when they enter the halls in the fall. Both Berger and Maxwell said they would recommend it to future Wildkits.
