Why Do Students Choose to Attend School? Uncovering the Motivations Behind Education

by Guest Contributors Mariana Segura Hurtado and Vistabreeze Ufeitugo

''Why do you come to school?'' We interviewed numerous members of the Bayside High School faculty to get a variety of answers.

We Interviewed:

Samantha Wilson, Biology teacher

Jason Harrington, Physical Education

Gabriela Blanco, Senior at Bayside High School

Chelssy Mejia, Senior at Bayside High School

Reyna Perla, Junior at Bayside High School

The Bayside Beacon: Do you feel you learn important things for life in school?

Ms. Wilsonl: "I come to school because I believe in what I do. Helping students is incredibly rewarding. They may not see the importance of what they are learning at first, but then they do. I remember once a student said to me, 'I didn't know that learning biology helps you understand and create cures for diseases.'"

Mr. Harrington: "I come to school because children need support. For some students, it is a place where they can express themselves, and my job is also to help them understand their emotions.''

BB: ''Do you think school is fundamental to the development of successful people?''

Harrington: "School does not guarantee that someone will be successful, but it is crucial to develop skills like communication, teamwork, and other skills that prepare you for anything in life."

BB: "Do you come to school to see friends? Do you come to school to become someone in the future?"

Blanco: "I come to school because I want to go to college, I also have a lot of friends and sometimes that's the only thing that motivates me to come." [She also mentioned that coming to school does not fully prepare you for the future and that it depended on what you wanted to be].

BB: "What is your favorite thing to learn in school? Do you think school is important?"

Chelssy: "I come to school because I have to, but I think there are only a few important things I learn here, like my economics class." [highlighting the importance of her class because it taught her how to pay taxes, manage finances, and other things that are useful and will help in real life].

Reyna said she could [be herself when she came to school, something she couldn't do at home]. Her favorite class is art because she finds it [easy] and feels she can [express herself and relieve some stress when attending]. In these responses, we notice that school represents something different for each person, for some, it's academic preparation, and for others, it's a space for social growth. However, school continues to be an important part of their lives.