Bringing Back the Five-Year High School ProgramFor many teenagers, four years of high school was a memorable and transformative experience, but for others, high school was just another brick building to keep them from the real world. But what if another year of education was added to the four-year program and aided students in their high school experience? Since 2003, Toronto high schools have removed the fifth year of the high school curriculum, but there is talk of bringing back the extra year to help students with course averages, stress and decrease the dropout rate. Returning to the five-year program can be beneficial in helping high school students with academic achievement, post-secondary planning, and stress. Another year of instruction will give students time to repeat courses and improve their overall GPA. This will also affect post-secondary options and the variety of choices. A fifth year will provide more time to space out courses and other priorities to reduce the stress and pressure placed on students. Reinstating the five-year high school curriculum in Toronto will help students achieve academic success and post-secondary outcomes. Reinstating the five-year high school curriculum will help students with grades and course selection. This extra year of secondary education gives them more time to focus on the courses provided to them by their high schools and the courses they have taken. Students who may not have performed to the best of their ability in a course the previous year/semester will have the opportunity to repeat a course and get additional assistance from teachers to improve their grade point average. For example, a student who has completed Calculus and Vect...... middle of paper ......gram will prepare students for their post-high school plans. Ultimately, returning to the five-year high school program will help students in multiple areas of their school life. The additional year of high school gives students time to repeat courses or improve their overall grades thanks to increased study time and extra help. It will also provide them with the opportunity to take a course of interest or participate in after-school activities to reduce their workload and stress. Students can prepare financially and academically for college/university and have more time to explore their options and interests. Reinstating the five-year high school curriculum will positively impact students throughout their academic success and future high school planning, therefore it should be considered by the school board and possibly even applied to the high school curriculum.