High School Graduation: 2009

"Go as far as you can, and get there when it suits you"

Three hundred fourteen Commonplace High School (CHS) students completed their education today, culminating in a non-celebratory observance that was less embellished than in years past. The pupils had attended their classes as required throughout the year, and will now, should they choose --- though no individual was coerced in any manner --- begin lives as members of the community-at-large.

"We came to class and now we don't have to," proclaimed Jarrod Grayson, a learner who has no record of performing either better or more poorly than his peers. CHS did not track his grades nor those of his fellow persons actively involved in learning, so as not to diminish any of the learners' individual selves. "As we were in school, we continue to be equals, and each of us has the same opportunity as the other to obtain whatever non-competitive goals we do or don't feel like."

Throughout their educational tenure, some of the students chose to participate in ancillary community-based directives and others did not. But no one brought attention to those who did, and CHS recognized every pupil in a balanced manner for making their relative personal decisions.

Some of these learners will attend colleges or universities, but that information will not be made available to the public, as all the students need to be respected for who they are individually. The school district leaves the decision whether or not to reveal their after-secondary school plans up to the students. Those who do so have been instructed to divulge the datum in a manner that does not upset or call attention to anyone else who did or did not select the same course in life.

In past years, Commonplace High celebrated the ritual "graduation" with traditional pompous fanfare. However, students and more importantly parents have become distressed by the attention paid to one student over another. Some "graduates" were being singled out for academic or philanthropic achievement for example, while others were forced to observe those congratulatory festivities in embarrassment.

"It was horrific, watchin' our children squirm while the school systematically ignored the kids who worked less or had less enthusiasm than others," said one non-gender specific parent who asked not to be identified. "There was a real silliness about it. Just 'cause 'Johnny' wasn't as "motivated" as or chose to participate less than 'Sally', doesn't mean Sally should get extra recognition. Intending to get a good education is no less important than actually doing it," the parent concluded. Johnny and Sally were unavailable for comment.

The unidentified parent, as well as several other parents and school board members agreed, successfully petitioning to "generalize" school, focusing more on a student's intent than content. CHS no longer uses grades at as a barometer to measure achievement, and all students are regarded as equals. The system has adopted without commitment the term "Balanced Viability."

William Tress, a community member with a non-religious background and with no declared socio-economic status, provided the pleasant, non-binding commencement address. In it, he told the academics, "From this point on, there remains no obligation and no need to commit to the conformity of society. You may go as far as you desire in life should you choose that path, but there is no reason to commit to the accepted definition of success. 'There's happiness in homelessness'," he was heard to say.

Immediately following the non-ceremonious gathering, attendees were given the opportunity --- without threat or fear of reprisals --- to participate in an ice cream social. Plain, gluten-free sponge cake and unflavored soy ice cream were served.