The News Archive

High school isn’t one-size-fits-all—and for some students, four years can be too much. Early graduation gives students the freedom to shape their futures, whether that means saving for college, gaining work experience, or just escaping senioritis. This piece explores how districts are making flexible paths more accessible, and why they matter.

The Green Dot program aims to reduce bullying and violence by training students to call out harmful behavior—but at Paul Laurence Dunbar High, it risks being dismissed as a joke. Sophomore Zoë Jenkins dives into the challenge of turning a well-intended initiative into real cultural change, urging peers to take the program—and each other—more seriously.

America’s “English bubble” is holding students back. Sanaa Kahloon argues that early, immersive language education builds smarter, more empathetic kids—and it's time our schools treated it like the global priority it is.

Sadie Bograd highlights a key issue: many schools lack free menstrual products, causing stress, embarrassment, and missed class time for girls—especially those in low-income households. She calls for simple, stigma-busting fixes like pad dispensers and donation baskets to make schools more supportive and inclusive.

Parker Smith explores how equity and academic excellence can coexist—challenging Fayette County’s approach to gifted education. As resources shift toward struggling students, Parker argues that gifted programs like GAP shouldn’t be sacrificed, and calls for collaborative solutions that uplift all learners, not just those below the benchmark.

A Conversation with Refugee and Immigrant Students

In this personal essay, Henry Clay senior Sarah Kent shares how working through high school taught her grit, financial discipline, and the true cost of chasing dreams. From restaurant shifts to late-night homework, she’s determined to build a future where struggle doesn’t define her—or her family

A Muslim student in Kentucky shares her brave journey of choosing to wear the hijab in a town where her family is the only Muslim one. Despite facing ignorance, bullying, and isolation, she found strength in her faith, support from her mother, and eventually greater confidence. Her experience reveals the need for schools to teach cultural awareness—so all students feel seen, safe, and respected.

Senior Rachel Bradley explores how meaningful learning—not just test prep—can boost engagement, graduation rates, and long-term success. When students see their education as connected to their future, school becomes more than a chore—it becomes a launchpad.

When Lindsey was five, her mother, who had a stable job at the time, spiraled into drug addiction.

If we don’t talk about it, we can pretend it doesn’t happen.

A Discussion of the Kavanaugh Hearings and Student News Engagement

Testimony Before the School Safety Working Group

In distilling so much of the high school experience to standardized testing and decreased rigor, I believe we are selling students — and Kentucky’s entire education enterprise — short.

There is no possible justification for what he did. There is no way to comfort the families or the students or the teachers. But there is also no justification for planting the seed that autism is the reason for this guy’s actions.

In Kentucky, the average counselor had a 453 student caseload in the 2014–2015 academic year, 203 students above the national recommendation.

One of the most engaging issues we explored was what it means to have an effective teacher.

The impact of incarceration on Kentucky students

A Classroom of Ghosts - How community violence takes a silent toll on students in school.

Our school is located in a semi-rural area in Central Kentucky. With about 950 students and 53 teachers, West Jessamine Middle is considered large for a Kentucky middle school.