Credit: Caroline Kiernan

With the 2025-2026 school year in full swing, here are seven changes to be on the lookout for.

The 2025-2026 school year will welcome some new changes at Wayland High School — here they are.

Phones will no longer be permitted within the library

Starting this school year, phones will not be permitted in the library. This is part of the current effort to eliminate phones from learning spaces all across WHS. This action was taken in response to the Cell Phone Policy Working Group, who recommended a more expansive policy regarding cell phones in learning spaces.

Along with this change, restrictions from last year, such as placing cell phones in holders during class periods, still apply. Cell phones will only be allowed during lunch, passing periods and free blocks in the commons, courtyards or field house.

Powerschool has replaced Home Access Center (HAC) and eSchool

Powerschool will now be the student information system where students will be able to check their records regarding academics, attendance and disciplinary action. This website will also serve as the place for course selection  as well as viewing quarter, semester and final grades.

School attendance will now be tied to course credits

Student absences will now have an effect on the credits received from classes. If a student misses 20% or more of the classes in a quarter, they will not receive credit for that course. This 20% is equal to missing eight days per quarter for core academic classes, but for classes that do not meet six times per cycle, the number of days will be lower. The exact number of days for each course can be found within the course’s syllabus.

There is also an appeal system where students who miss 20% of classes within a term can still receive credit. If the reasons for the absences are medical, religious, legal, due to a family emergency, such as a funeral or terminal illness, or college visit, an appeal can be made in order to receive credit for the term. Medical and legal absences must have documentation with details regarding dates and conditions to be eligible. College visits must have a note from said college to be eligible.

Advisory will now meet on Wednesdays

Advisory will meet on Wednesday as well. It will be at 10:17-10:24 and still be the full seven minutes.

Sophomores will no longer be allowed to park on campus

10th graders will not be able to park on campus anymore. This new mandate includes the student parking lots and the parking lots to the swimming pool and tennis courts.

The Sophomore Semi-formal will be held in the spring

The Sophomore Semiformal, which traditionally has been held in the fall, will now be held in the spring instead. This was decided by a class wide vote where the Class of 2028 voted whether they preferred the spring or fall season for the semiformal.

Changes to the Computer Science program

The computer science program will now have three entry level classes: Exploring Computer Science (grades 9+), Python Programming (grades 9+) and Java programming (grades 10+).

Both the Python and Java Programming course will allow students grades 10 or higher to take AP Computer Science Principles which offers a broad overview of real world applications for computer science and features a multiple choice AP exam in May along with an independent “create task” project.

Java Programming also opens up AP Computer Science A, which deepens and enhances students’ skills with Java programming and prepares them for the AP exam in May with multiple choice and open response questions.

AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles and Java Programming allow students to also take Game Development, which uses game engine software to mix creativity and programming skills.