Scheduling conflicts for students at Costa

Students this year have faced a series of scheduling challenges, including difficulties in securing appointments with counselors, issues with leveling up or down, and even enrolling in essential classes. While some may be quick to blame school counselors, the real issue stems from the administration’s decision to cut sections of core classes.

For the 2024-2025 school year, Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) reduced the number of classes offered, which has led to fewer course options, larger class sizes, and less flexibility in student schedules. This reduction has significantly limited students’ choices, making it harder for them to switch between classes or adjust their academic levels in both honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. As a result, counselors are left struggling to navigate an increasingly constrained system, unable to fully meet students’ needs. The administration’s decision has inadvertently placed an undue burden on counselors and created a scheduling environment that is less responsive to student needs.

The reduction in class sections has significantly disrupted advanced programs and extracurricular activities. Students who were once on track for specific academic or extracurricular goals are now encountering obstacles, with some being forced to take essential classes online or during the summer. 16% of survey respondents reported they had to take a class through another school or online because their schedule could not accommodate it.

While the administration declined to comment, several counselors who wish to be anonymous have indicated that the issues are largely beyond their control, stemming from the reduced number of classes and the challenge of managing larger class sizes. The elimination of certain courses has had a disproportionate impact on specific grades and subjects. To address these imbalances, some classes, such as Creative Writing, have been cut, and others are offered less.

Despite the administration’s refusal to comment, it is clear that the cutbacks have significantly impacted students, leaving them with fewer choices and forcing some to seek alternative solutions. As the school navigates these constraints, it is crucial to address the issue rooted in administrative decisions rather than the efforts of individual counselors.

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