At Webb, classes vary in difficulty. From regular, to Honors, to AP and Advanced Studies courses, students attempt to balance requirements and lean into their passions during their course requests. However, to Andrew Hamilton, science department faculty, higher level classes shouldn’t exist.  

“The bigger reason is the equity issue,” Mr. Hamilton said. “You see a lot of underrepresentation of certain groups in [higher level] classes. Generally, wealthier families have the resources to get their students into these classes, which leaves some students behind.” 

Mr. Hamilton thinks the pressure to take higher-level classes prevents students from taking unique classes that actually interest them. In his opinion, Webb classes should not differ in level and should all be described as challenging, as they all ultimately lead to the same diploma.  

“Students end up not taking classes like Astrophysics, Neuroscience or other interesting classes because people tell them they won’t help you get into university,” said Mr. Hamilton. “If you’re taking Webb classes to graduate, then shouldn’t [all classes] be challenging to a certain standard?” 

Outside of formal occasions, Webb permits its students to dress freely — so long as they stay within the confines of the dress code. Thea Do (‘24), however, would embrace extra wardrobe regulation: a daily school uniform. 

“As someone who went to a school that required a uniform, I prefer it,” Thea said. “It would just save so much time in the morning, especially for people who are very fashionable, to just wear a uniform. You don’t have to worry about what you’re going to wear every day.” 

Thea thinks that a daily uniform would solve a plethora of problems, from obsessing over your appearance to unintentionally breaking the dress code. To her, solutions to these issues are worth giving up fashion as a form of self-expression. 

“I’m happy to go to a school [where we are] able to wear whatever we want, but the amount of times that I’ve gotten dress-coded is so annoying,” Thea said. “I totally understand the lack of individuality and self-expression aspect, but I do believe that uniforms will help bring the school together as a tighter community.”