As midterm season approaches, one thing is clear: the exam exemption policy for seniors does not fully reflect the effort students pour into their classes. The current system is a start, but fairness demands a second look.
According to page 30 of the 2025-2026 Student Handbook, “Seniors with an A or A [minus] for a semester grade are exempt from the SEA in January…” This policy is designed to reward consistent effort, and in many ways, it does, however, it leaves out a significant group of hardworking students.
Seniors who maintain a strong A average throughout the semester may still be required to take the midterm. One low score near the finish line can push a student just below the cutoff, forcing them into the exam despite months of steady, solid performance. That one setback does not reflect their overall understanding or sustained commitment.
This is especially true for students in Advanced Placement and honors classes. These courses are more rigorous, so earning a B in them is a notable achievement and often reflects the same level of mastery as an A in a College Prep class. Yet under the current policy, seniors in these higher-level classes still have to take the midterm if they end with a B, while CP students with an A are exempt. This creates an unfair imbalance for students who challenge themselves with harder coursework.
Seniors have been taking the SEA for years at this point, and many are simultaneously applying to and visiting colleges and submitting scholarship applications. Students who work hard should not have to worry about the midterm while planning for the next chapter of their lives.
A more equitable policy is straightforward: any senior with an A or a B as their final semester grade should be exempt from the Semester End Assessment. This approach prioritizes consistency over isolated setbacks and recognizes the comprehensive impact of a student’s hard work.
If the goal of the exemption policy is to reward dedication, then it should do so fairly. It’s time to update this rule to match the reality of student effort.
