Although Patriot High School was opened last year with the intention of relieving overcrowding in high schools in western Prince William County, Patriot in its second year is now facing an overcrowding problem of its own.
With 2,300 students currently enrolled, the student population has already exceeded the maximum building capacity of 2,053, even without a full senior class.
"Unfortunately, class sizes have increased," said Principal Dr. Michael Bishop. "But that has happened across Prince William County with tight budgets and less money as a result of the last five years of economic uncertainty."
Patriot students feel the squeeze, too, and some students in the first few weeks of school were without seats in classrooms.
"There aren't enough desks [in each classroom]," says freshman Brett Shiflet.
Shiflet is not the only one whose classes did not have a desk for every student.
"There's not enough furniture [in each classroom]," said sophomore Ashley Martin.
These issues have since been fixed, but that still does not spare students from traffic in the hallways or in the parking lot.
"It's hard to move through the halls," said Shiflet. "It's even harder because I don't know where my classes are."
Although students face challenges in traveling from one class to another, it has not increased the overall tardy count at school every block. Instead, the number has actually decreased.
"Initially it did, because students are creatures of habit and many used the same path they had last year," said Bishop. "As the school year has progressed though, we have seen the traffic patterns change. We actually have fewer tardies per block this year than last."
However there is little that can be done about the daily afternoon traffic jams in the student parking lot.
"I don't leave until 20 minutes after school lets out because there's a line backed up into the parking lot," said Raksnis.
Even though a larger student body may inconvenience some students and faculty, some admit there are positives to a surplus of students when it comes to extracurricular participation.
"The band is bigger," said Martin.
Bishop has seen this increase overall as well.
"There are more students playing sports and participating in extracurricular activities like band and chorus," said Bishop.
Now with more students, Patriot also has a larger talent pool supplying its activities. Thus, the school is now more competitive in sports, music, and other activities.
Despite the possible increase in sport victories, Patriot will still have to deal with the imminent overcrowding situation to come in the next school year.
Patriot will only graduate about 300 seniors come spring, and will take in about another 700 freshmen in the fall of 2013, putting the student population at 2,700. With about 700 students per full class, numbers for the 2014-2015 school year (when the freshmen from the first year, the first four-year class, are seniors) will increase to about 2,800, well over the building's capacity of 2,053.
Unfortunately, there is little than be done to fix the problem at the school level.
"That is a decision for our school board to make," said Bishop.
However, the issue has not hampered the spirit of students and Bishop is pleased with how the school year began.
"Many have understood that this is a problem that is out of their control and have made the best of it," said Bishop. "Everyone here seems to be very positive and happy as a student at Patriot. We have had a great start to the school year!"
Support Bristow Beat - Donate Today!