1A here

8-12 high school band

The recent addition of CTE classes that we are pushing on 8th grade has resulted in a drop in 8th grade participation the last two years. Before that we kept 80-90% of our students.

I believe next year the options for 8th grade are spanish or high school band. This gives us an 'option' for students that are not interested at all in participating in the hs band. It also isn't a 'fun' enough option for them to try something new and get out of band when it is an option.

Usually if they stay their first year of high school band in 8th grade we keep them for a while. It's that 'freedom' they get when courses open up that really hurts you.

Check what sort of courses 8th grade will be offered. If they have welding, art, underwater basket weaving, nurse programs, computer science, and band the same period it can be detrimental.

Admin need to limit their options for it to work.



Student's should NEVER be forced into a varsity performing group. It can really do damage with students that do not want to be there.