To test, or not to test, that is the question.

The decision to change the schedule catalyzed discussions among faculty about the value of midterms and their place in the new schedule. Naturally, many students have their own opinions about the controversial subject.

Some students agree with the school’s midterm policy, or don’t feel strongly about wanting to change it. “I’m kind of indifferent, if the school really thinks that they’re important… Once it’s expected of you, it becomes something that you just do,” junior Sonja Mischke said.

Mixed feelings about the midterm exam system are not uncommon. Sophomore Lia Orey is unsure about if they should continue. “Yes and no. They show where you’re at, but there’s also the stress of taking them,” Orey said.

Upper School Principal Chris Hughes exhibits these same mixed feelings. “If we’re going to ask students to do school in different ways [in reference to the new schedule], we’re going to need to tweak the way we do assessments,” Hughes said. However, he continues, “I think what makes it difficult is that a lot of classes look at the midterm exams very differently. For semester classes, it’s not a midterm, it’s a real final exam.”

Upper School history teacher Nan Dreher supports the midterm exam system. “As a history teacher, it’s nice to see students pull together information from different units and make connections,” Dreher said. “If there’s not a midterm, it creates a lot of stress for the end of year exam. The midterms give students a chance to practice with that format.”

For some students, more experience taking midterms means less stress. “I think the math exam is a lot less daunting now,” junior Evan LeDuc said.

On the other hand, stress levels vary by student and by class. Senior Steven Go-Rosenberg has found that more experience with midterms doesn’t necessarily translate to less stress. “It depends on the exam. Normally I’m nervous for Chinese and Physics,” Go-Rosenberg said. “I’m in favor of less testing.”

“It’s never going to mean going away from tests, because we wouldn’t be serving you well… There’s a balance, and we are working our way toward it,” Hughes said.