Analyzing the Constitution, women’s suffrage, the Three-Fifths Clause, and the Civil Rights Movement, juniors have been able to earn honors credit in the optional United States History Honors Program since 2015 by attaining what would translate to an A minus or above on two out of three papers. Next year, however, juniors will no longer have to participate in the program to earn honors credit, as all U.S. History classes will take on the honors designation. The History Department will pilot this change in its U.S. History program and plans to re-evaluate it at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

The shift in department policy was prompted by concerns over equity and the workload for teachers and students, Upper School (US) History Department Head Susan Glazer said. The History Department wanted to ensure that all students had the opportunity to engage with honors-level material, she said.

“The concept of equity was at the heart of our decision,” she said. “We wanted to ensure that all students can access our curriculum, and we aim to foster a community of belonging.”

The department made the decision during its annual one-day retreat in January, after considering feedback from a survey of current juniors and seniors, some of whom had participated in the program and some of whom had not. The results indicated the Honors Program was intellectually rewarding but required much extra work—the extra work being the primary reason students who did not participate in the program cited as influencing their decision, Dr. Glazer said. The department also considered the toll the Honors Program took on history teachers, as the preparation and grading involved significantly increased their workload, she said.

“We want to lighten the burden of our students and faculty, and we are working to create a classroom experience that is intellectually engaging and rooted in our school’s commitment to becoming an anti-racist institution,” Dr. Glazer said.

Next year, all U.S. History students will be completing honors-level coursework, Dr. Glazer said. However, Dr. Glazer believes the rigor won’t change drastically as the current U.S. History curriculum is already challenging, she said.

A multitude of elective opportunities will still exist for students interested in delving deeper into topics covered in their classes, she said.

“We are exploring a variety of pathways for students to showcase their interest and talent in the study of history,” Dr. Glazer said. “For example, we are designing a history conference or symposium for the spring of 2024 where outside speakers will share their experiences, and students can present their work and learn from each other.”

Ali Gonzalez ’24, said he enjoys writing and has an interest in history, but eventually had to opt out of the Honors Program due to his limited time to complete the assignments.

“There was an essay due the week right after spring break ended, but I didn’t have the opportunity to work on it during that time because I was very busy,” Ali said.

Another challenge was meeting the high standards of the Honors Program, Ali said.

Ali agrees that there should be an honors course, so students do not have to complete additional work outside of class to earn the designation, but he does not think it should be the only offering. He wishes that the History Department would follow the Math Department’s model of leveling its courses.

“I would say the best way to do leveling is to have your sophomore teacher recommend which level of class to go to, the same way you have it with any class like math that has levels,” Ali said.

Lucas Lesburg ’24 disagreed. For students who don’t have dedicated time to do the Honors Program but always felt at a disadvantage by not doing it, the new change will provide relief, he said.

“It’s not fair to have a separate honors program for students whose English is not their first language, or for students that have sports, or heavier workload than other students.”

In an honors class, all students will have the opportunity to prove their skills, Lucas said.

“I don’t think assigning more work is the way. This should be determined based on how well you understand history,” Lucas said.