What does it mean to help the world, and how do you know that you have done enough?  University Academy Charter High School’s slogan is “educating tomorrow’s leaders today,” but many of us never stop to consider what that means. Our high school years quickly fly by, at times without a chance for us to actually think about what happened and why. 

A schoolwide survey of students asked, “What is the purpose of education at UACHS?” The results raised many question marks around what students view the school as and what it is doing for them.  

Many responses from all grade levels were a big “I do not know.” Along with countless “I think that;” explanations when it comes to our purpose. It shows that something we are supposed to be completely sure about when coming to this school is something that is not really discussed and poorly identified.  

One of the comments that stood out from the survey was one made by a senior that eluded to students having no interest in education. What is shocking here is that this is coming from a person that is about to leave this building and either go into the workforce or go into a higher education setting. 

The survey also highlights the fact that many of this year’s graduates are unsure of whether or not UACHS prepared them for their future career path. 

With similar responses and mass confusion, it raises the question: aside from graduation requirements, what is actually getting implemented inside of the minds of our students?  

In thinking about the school slogan, “educating tomorrow’s leaders today” are we the leaders of tomorrow? How can we be prepared for what comes next when many of us cannot grasp the here and the now? 

Collectively, the students that responded to the survey could not determine whether or not our slogan fit the school. It is something that gives further food for thought. Who determines whose name is added to the lottery? Is it just the parents or do the students have some input? 

The idea here is that maybe if it came down to the student then there would be a clear idea of what their purpose is here. A sense of what their reason for being here is and what they want to achieve. 

With so much at stake, it is time to focus more on why we chose to come to UACHS in the first place. Why did your parents feel this was the best place for us? 

Maybe it is as simple as saying that our purpose for being here is to grow, learn, and be a leader some day.