She was able to make $16,000 in one year as a senior in high school. He was able to leave after third period everyday. These students were only able to do this because of work release.
The work release program for Atholton High School seniors offers numerous advantages such as gaining real-world work experience while still in school and giving students an idea of the professional world before they graduate.
Seniors who participate in work release find that it helps them build essential life skills, earn money for the future, and even explore potential career paths.
It’s an opportunity to spend time working on your mental health and leads students from the classroom to the workforce, making the transition from high school to adulthood easier and more manageable.
The work release program is typically available to seniors as they’re closer to graduating and can manage a job. Students participating in work release split their school day, spending part of it working at a real job in their community.
To join the program, students must meet certain requirements, such as maintaining good grades and regular school attendance. Many students at Atholton thrive in the work release program for a multitude of reasons.
Work release offers a special chance for students to learn important skills for life while also making some money. When they work at a real job, students pick up useful skills like managing their time, communicating with others, solving problems, and working in a team.
According to an article from Walden University, “It can teach the relationship between earnings and education. Most high school students work low-income jobs that require little to no education. This can help make it clear that, to earn a good living, schooling is essential.”
These skills are not only helpful at their current job but also for any future jobs they might have. Plus, they get paid for the work they do, which can be saved for college, transportation, or other important things. Learning to manage their own money helps students become responsible and knowledgeable with finances, setting them on a path to a more secure future.
As well as developing life skills, work release can be great for the mental health of high school students. These programs give students a break from regular classes, which can be refreshing. Senior Parker Semmont works at the LifeTime Cafe during his time off from school.
“I take naps and workout before my shift,” said Semmont. Students are able to get some downtime from school and during this time they can prioritize things like their personal health which can make them feel less stressed and anxious about schoolwork.
Another senior doing work release, Amber Floyd, mentioned that she either gets off of school and goes to work or can go home and just decompress. Also, having a job can make students feel proud and responsible, which boosts their confidence and overall happiness.
It gives them a sense of purpose and helps them balance work and life, which can reduce some of the mental health problems that high school students often face.
Work release can be really helpful in preparing students for adulthood. When high school students work at a real job, they start learning about what it’s like to be an adult with more responsibilities. They pick up important skills like time management, communication skills, and financing, which are super important for their future jobs.
Plus, the experience they get can help them figure out what they want to do for work and what they want to study in the future. It can help students transition from high school, where things are structured, to adulthood, where students will have more independence. Work release makes the transition to adulthood easier for these students.
For some students choosing not to be in the work release program can be a smart choice in preparation for college. By dedicating more time to their academic studies, students can focus on building a strong academic foundation, which is crucial for college admission and success.
A Senior at Atholton, Maddie Joy, is a student that decided against work release so she can look better for colleges. She said, “The pros of not being in work lease is that it shows colleges you want to be in school and are trying to still learn.”
A full day of high school provides opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities, advanced courses, and access to additional support resources, all of which can help student’s college applications.
Being in school all day also can benefit your social life. Being in a learning environment with other students all day makes it more likely for students to be able to socialize and make friends.
Another senior not doing work release, Alex Brown, said, ”The only pro I see of not having work release is getting to spend more time with school friends who I typically wouldn’t see otherwise. Already, this year has helped me get closer with a lot of people in the classes I have with them.”
Making friends and keeping relationships is a big part of life and is another crucial factor students may take into consideration when considering work release.
So, while looking at scheduling options for next year, work release would be a great thing to explore for future seniors at Atholton High School.