This year Mariemont High School is changing it up a bit. Rather than having first semester exams after winter break, they will be held before students are released for the holidays.

     Modeled after a schedule similar to that of Madeira and Wyoming, Mariemont Principal Dr. Renner says, “Schools in the area have had exams before break and students and parents have come to me and asked, ‘Why don’t we do this?’”

      Renner says, “Mr. Imhoff (Mariemont school district’s superintendent) also received some of the same inquiries. So after talking it over with the PTO, teachers, Student Council and everyone, we decided it could potentially be a good thing.”

     However, this year will just be a pilot run for Mariemont. After trying this new schedule, the results will be discussed and plans for the future will be developed.

     Renner says, “Personally, I was not in favor of this change ahead of time. I think the time leading up to the holidays can be very stressful for people with family stuff, holiday concerts, and different school events. It’s just an extremely busy time. There’s a potential risk in changing the schedule and I thought, ‘why fix what’s not broken’?”

     He says, “I didn’t want teachers to have to grade exams over break. But we got that worked out so they’re not expected to have them graded by the time break is over.”

     Due to the many inquiries it received in favor of this change the school decided it would be a risk worth taking.

     Mariemont history teacher, Mike Hanley agrees saying, “I think it’s definitely worth the trial because this could be a very good thing for students.”

     One concern developed with this new schedule revolves around the last two weeks of the second quarter occurring after first semester exams have already been held.

     Sophomore Robbie Troller states, “I think this is a bad idea because it’s really hard to know what you have to get on the exam in order to get the semester grade you want.”

     Junior, Meggie Keiser confirms saying, “At first I liked the idea because we wouldn’t have to study over break, but now it seems silly because we’re going to have what seems like an extra two weeks after exams.”

     As a result, what students will do for the two weeks remaining in the semester after break is a widely discussed topic.

     Renner says, “I would expect that students will still have a test or project due at the end of those two weeks. You don’t know your exam grade yet, so I don’t expect a student to come back January 3^rd and say, ‘Well I’ve got a B so I don’t have to try as hard on this test’.”

     Hanley says, “I think it’s cool for teachers because we can use this time to maybe do a project that we wouldn’t typically have the time or opportunity to do.”

     “Also, I kind of like exams before the holiday break because it makes student have to try even harder because you still do have those two weeks to get through,” Hanley continues.

     The school’s main goal is to find which schedule will benefit Mariemont students and staff as a whole.

     Renner says, “We plan on talking to people as everything is taking place and afterwards as well to get their views and opinions on how this is going and what kind of effect it is having on them personally.”

     On December 14^th through 17^th this test run exam schedule will be put to the test and with it, Mariemont’s students and faculty as well.