At this school, Wednesday, March 11, looked a little different. Because it was SAT Day, juniors took the SAT while other students followed a modified schedule. Even if students did not take the SAT, the day included wellness blocks with time for students to relax, study or participate in activities.
The day began with the SAT testing block from 7:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., when students arrived for the exam that they took the test in assigned rooms around the school. For juniors, the test is provided for free as part of the school day so that all students have the opportunity to take it. Freshmen, sophomores and seniors also had the option to register to take the SAT on this day, but they needed to pay a fee in order to participate. “This was my first SAT so it was nice to do it in a place that I know pretty well and have a free opportunity to take it,” junior Ashley McGuinness said.
During the testing period, the building was quiet since the SAT requires focused areas and minimal interruptions. Students who were not testing may have arrived later or followed directions from teachers and administrators about where they should report during the morning hours. This structure helped ensure students who were testing could concentrate. “I was able to focus with minimal distractions in the hallway since a lot of people weren’t at school,” junior Jolie Ginsburg said.
After testing ended, lunch ran from 11:15 a.m. to 11:55 a.m., giving everyone a chance to recharge after the long morning. Students who took the SAT would be ready for lunch, since the exam involves hours of reading, writing and math questions. It also gave students time to meet up with friends and relax before having to go to wellness blocks. “I left after the SAT since we didn’t have instructional learning today. I was able to go hang out with friends after a stressful testing day,” junior Noa Lucas said.
Following lunch, students attended period 1 from 12 p.m. to 12:10 p.m., mainly used for announcements and attendance. After the first period, the day transitioned into the first Wellness Block from 12:20 p.m. to 1:20 p.m., where students could choose from activities happening around the school. These wellness blocks were designed to give students time to unwind, socialize and participate in activities that supported both mental and physical well-being.
Multiple activity options were available during the wellness blocks depending on what students feel like doing that afternoon. The auditorium showed a movie, the media center hosted board games, and Room 183 was open as a study hall for students who wanted a quiet place to work. For students who preferred something more active, the main gym had basketball while the lower-level gym offered soccer and other net sports.
The second Wellness Block ran from 1:25 p.m. to 2:25 p.m., continuing the same activities and giving students another opportunity to move around or spend time with friends. This flexible schedule helped balance the stress of SAT testing with a more relaxed afternoon designed to support students’ overall well-being. By mixing academics with fun activities, the school hoped SAT Day felt productive while still being an enjoyable experience for everyone. “Studying for the SAT was very stressful so after it was done I felt a little more relaxed. Having many activities to choose from allowed me to catch up on school work or just hangout with my friends around the school,” Ginsburg said.
