By Megan Bartlett & Mary Husser
staff writers
A total of 20 students and five teachers who spend a portion of their day at DHS also spend half of it at MHS.
For students, this is because each school offers programs the other doesn’t. For instance, DHS has computer aided design [CAD] and the Auto Lab, while MHS offers welding and woodshop classes.
Junior Nathan Berger attends DHS for the first three hours of his day, and then travels to MHS for welding. Berger considers himself more a part of DHS.
“I like Dow High’s teachers better,” Berger said.
Overall, he feels that he is benefitting from attending both schools.
Junior Brady Harbron comes to DHS for the first half of his day, where he takes car care, an opportunity not provided at MHS. Although Harbron spends an equal amount of time at both schools, he thinks of himself as more of an MHS student because he knows more people. He is slowly getting to know more people at Dow. Overall, he thinks attending both of MPS’ two high schools is a good experience.
“I feel like I’m benefitting, because it’s a different experience for me,” Harbron said.
Sophomore Roan Woodruff also attends DHS for three hours, where he takes CAD, and then moves to MHS for welding.
“It gives me a chance to experience what both schools have to offer,” Woodruff said.
The downfall of having a schedule split in half is the time for lunch. Their lunch hour is spent on the bus traveling between the two schools.
“You either eat on the bus or you don’t eat at all,” Woodruff said.
Some teachers even split their day between DHS and MHS. Eric Mohr spends four hours teaching math at MHS, and two hours teaching geoscience at DHS.
“I feel like I get to work with a wider range of students and a wider range of staff members, and get to know everybody,” Mohr said.
Mohr also sees the benefits of working at both schools.
“I’ve taught so much at each school that I appreciate what they do for their students. They both do a really good job,” Mohr said.
In regards to the MHS/DHS rivalry, Mohr tries to remain neutral.
“If I had to pick one, I guess I’d identify myself more with Midland, simply because I graduated from there” Mohr said. “I’ve got a little bit more history with Midland High than Dow, but I’ve coached here and taught here, and consider myself a Charger as well.”
The classes offered at the differing schools give students a wide range of opportunities.
