Category Archives: Academics

360º – Enrollment on the rise as freshman class swells

Students hard at work in the Swamp’s library – Photo by Kaden Bagwell

By Kaden Bagwell – August 30, 2017

Approximately 475 freshmen are enrolled at Captain Shreve for the 2017-2018 school year, a notable increase from previous years.

This number is significant to the overall size of the school. In recent years Captain Shreve’s enrollment has continued to increase. It is one of the largest schools in the district in enrollment, but it has not always been so.

“It is the largest freshman class in the nine years I have been here,” freshman counselor Lori Dye said.

Captain Shreve High School was founded in the fall of 1967. This year is the 50th anniversary.

“I feel really special to be a part of this class,” freshman Jolee Anderson said. “I think if more people knew about it, they, too, would feel special.”

Dye attributes the increase in enrollment to “the great academic and extracurricular opportunities.” She said the increase in enrollment of the 2017-2018 freshman class shows that it is a great time to be a Gator.

This increase in enrollment has sparked Captain Shreve’s school spirit around campus.

“I love everything about this school and want to see it prosper,” senior Nathan Rowley said. “Seeing so many students excited about my school gets me excited for the future of Captain Shreve High School.”

Nobody can know for certain why the sudden increase occurred, but there are many assumptions that can be made. Some might attribute it to the recent athletic success that has come the Gators’ way, such as the Lady Gator victory in their first district soccer championship and district basketball championship. Others might attribute the increase to the diverse clubs and organizations Captain Shreve has to offer.

Whatever the case may be, the freshman class is historic in size on Captain Shreve’s 50th anniversary.

360º – Counselors and students give advice to freshmen

By Jada Wiggins – August 30, 2017

As freshmen begin their high school journey, they will face a lot of new challenges, but there are people on campus who are willing to give life-saving advice to make the transition easier.

Freshman counselor Lori Dye said that if students stay organized it will help them become successful.

“Study habits and organization is a major area of concern for them, and a solution to this would be them just getting organized,” Dye said. “Also, getting a planner because seven classes is a lot to keep up with, and it will help them remember what’s due when and what they need to be prepared for.”

Dye also recommended that freshmen visit with their teachers during their tutoring times if they need additional help in class. The tutoring times should be posted either in the teacher’s Google Classroom or in the classroom. She suggested that they connect with their teachers and build a good student-teacher relationship.

“My main advice for students when they register is to get involved here,” Dye said. “We will be having our club fair again this year. It is a great way for students to see what all we have to offer. It allows them to see what they want to do and start signing up for it because being involved correlates to better academics.”

Student Council President and BESE Representative Javin Bowman also recommended that students become involved in the school.

“If I  could change one thing about my freshman year, it would be getting involved,” Bowman said, “because I wasn’t as involved, and I really didn’t get involved until my sophomore year. And that was when I started making more friends.”

Bowman suggested getting involved in Student Council and other clubs.To get involved in Student Council, students can sign up from now until Sept. 1. He said it is how to build good relationships. With the state Student Council convention being held at Captain Shreve this year, students will get to be a part of a big event.

360º – Principal and senior counselor give tips to Senior Class

Google classroom code for the senior class – Photo by Kelsey Harlow

By Kelsey Harlow – August 30, 2017

Some students say junior year is the most difficult year of high school, but to others senior year is really the time to buckle down and start preparing for life after Shreve.

“It’s easier to get behind than you think,” recent Shreve graduate Hunter Moreau said.

To students, studying is very important. It is crucial to stay on top of class work.

“It’s very important to be plugged in to extracurriculars,” Principal Ginger Gustavson said. “High school is important for fine-tuning time management.”

Academics are very important during a student’s last year of school, and fitting clubs, sports and organizations into a schedule is not always easy.

“Stay close to your senior counselor,” Gustavson said.

Senior counselor Meagan Mills has many resources to assist students, including information about college applications and ACT test dates and preparation material.

“There are many resources on the Senior News Google Classroom,” Mills said.

The Google Classroom offers student questionnaires, scholarship information and deadlines, sources for financial aid, ACT prep and more.

“Don’t get senioritis,” Mills said.

Seniors may feel that they can just slide by this year and stay under the radar, but Mills and Gustavson both emphasized how important it is for them to stay on track with their classes.

“Take the ACT again,” Gustavson said. “Try to make your very highest score.”

The school offers all types of ACT prep, including different bootcamps and classes. There are also all kinds of books available in the library or for purchase in bookstores.

Seniors interested in joining the Senior News Google Classroom can join online using the code 5glwxl.