Seasonal change. Some love it, others hate it. It usually affects you and others one way or another, but what about your grades? Do the introductions of the 2021 fall season, having to wear a comfy hoodie, fearing from the cold, and having seasonal depression affect our student performance here at Morton East?

According to Dr. Michael Parrie, the percentages for an ABC grade in the 2020 fall semester were between 65 and 75 percent. On December 18, students peaked the ABC grades at a 77%, while on  November 11, we had we had the ABC grades at a low of 66%. Now keep in mind this was the first semester of the 2020 year. In the second semester of spring 2021, things changes drastically.

During our 2021 spring semester, our ABC percentages were at its lowest:  58% on April 13.  They peaked at 73% on May 26. So, why did our ABC percentages drop so much in the spring season? Was it because of the seasonal change and the way people take it in? Or is it something else?

“Based on the data, students in the fall semester average 67.83% ABC success, versus the spring semesters 60.66% success rate,” assistant principal Dr. Michael Parrie said.

However, why does the ABC percentage rate drop so much in the second semester — weather, personal reasons, school work getting harder or just the change in scenery?

“You stay indoors more and do more work in the winter.  But, our performance drops in the fall and especially the spring since we are out more,” One senior said.

Is it true that us going out more during the nicer weather affects our performance, or is it something other than that?

“I don’t think the seasons have anything to do with it. I think it’s more personal than the seasons. You don’t do your work because it’s too hot or too cold, you might have already made plans or just choose not to do your work,” math teacher Mr. Nate Moore said.

Some may disagree with what others say when they talk about their opinions about the topic. They may know someone or they themselves do better depending on the seasons and weather.

“It definitely has an effect. There are some students who better during the spring and summer. But it’s funny because some students do less homework because there out. When its cold students stay in and do more work. However, January, February, and March have the most failing grades. For sure 2^nd semester in the end of May, there are less incompletes compared to the first. If I could change students schedule that need the help, I would change their supervision to one of the labs. I wish students would use the extra help time to help themselves,” principal Mr. Jose Gamboa said.

After hearing this we surveyed 92 students. We first surveyed 72 students ranging from sophomores to juniors. We asked them to raise their hand if they performed better in the fall, winter, or spring. 34 said they did their best in the fall, 23 for winter, and 15 for spring. The reaming 20 students were seniors. When asked their answers differ greatly compared to the sophomores and juniors. 6 said they do best in the fall, 12 for the winter, and 2 for spring. Although the seniors we surveyed were greatly outnumbered, there should be a clear indication that for their last 3 years, a senior student’s academics changes throughout the year depending on the season. They may have been like the sophomores or juniors, doing better in the fall

“Towards the beginning , things get easy, while towards the end, things get harder because of student energy level change,” student Rachel A. said.

There you have it. After hearing and seeing how students perform throughout the season, there is a clear indication that there is inconsistency in grades.  Whether it be weather, personal reason, or the amounts of work, who knows?