If you ask any middle school student their favorite subject, they will likely respond, “Recess!” However, as students mature into high school and the rigorous classes that accompany them, their favorite time of day disappears. This raises the question: Should we still have recess in the upper school?

Junior Grayson Barrett thinks so, arguing that more moving opportunities would be excellent. 

“Classes are filled with stress, and teenagers need time to decompress. I believe this would result in students focusing more in their classes rather than being overstimulated,” she explains.

Educators seem open to this idea as well. 

“I don’t think it would be a terrible idea. I think it would be good to get fresh air and move around if the kids needed to,” explains art teacher Hope Steele.

Multiple students echo those ideas, emphasizing the importance of breaks to balance the stress of high school. 

“I think kids, no matter what age you are, should be able to have a brain break and get fresh air. Especially since high school is much harder than middle school, we need it even more,” says Junior Gabi Andrin.

Professional research also supports these claims. A study by the Institute of Medicine shows that physically active students tend to have better grades, school attendance, cognitive performance, and classroom behaviors. Recess helps to improve their memory, attention, concentration, productivity, and social and emotional development.

With many students in favor and the research present to back it up, should the upper school reconsider its schedule? It may be time to take a new look at how students learn best.