Every day as we step onto the DVHS campus, iron gates shut behind us, turning our school into a locked enclosure. Hall monitors patrol the corridors, enforcing the Closed Campus Rule, ensuring no student ventures beyond school grounds during school hours. With this strict policy in place, DVHS starts to feel less like a campus and more like a prison—one we’re held in until the day’s “release” bell rings.
This overbearing policy doesn’t teach discipline or focus; rather, it only intensifies our desire to break free. As famous English contemporary writer John Fowles once said, “We all want things we can’t have.” By barring access to the outside world, the school inadvertently fuels our craving for it, making the allure of “escaping” even stronger.
The Closed Campus Rule, in practice, is ineffective. No matter how many restrictions or monitors the school imposes, students are resourceful and persistent. Some leave during access; others find their way through the back gates during lunch. Regardless of their methods, students manage to avoid the guards and push past the iron gates to obtain their freedom. Enforcing a policy that simply invites circumvention serves little purpose. It’s time to recognize that the Closed Campus Rule does more harm than good, placing unnecessary strain on students and staff alike.
Opening our campus, on the other hand, would create a healthier and more positive environment. Being able to drive down Bollinger Canyon Road, enjoy a meal at McDonald’s, or grab a snack at Safeway with friends offers a refreshing break from the intense academic setting. This opportunity for a mental reset eases the pressure students feel, helping them approach their studies with renewed energy and motivation. Furthermore, these brief escapes foster stronger social connections as students gather in a relaxed, off-campus environment, building friendships that can’t be nurtured within the restrictive school walls. Such experiences boost student morale, making school a place where students feel both empowered and supported, knowing they have the freedom to take care of their well-being throughout the day.
Allowing students the option to leave benefits not only us but also our teachers. A quick off-campus lunch can do wonders for resetting our minds and boosting engagement during afternoon classes. Returning with full stomachs and refreshed spirits, students would be better able to participate, making lessons more enjoyable for everyone involved. This, in turn, improves the experience for teachers, reducing the need to constantly re-engage distracted or fatigued students. With students refreshed and ready to learn, teachers can focus more on delivering their lessons effectively, ultimately enhancing the learning experience for everyone involved.
An open campus isn’t simply about food but freedom and respect. High school is meant to prepare us for the responsibilities and choices of adulthood, yet policies like the Closed Campus Rule convey the opposite, restricting our growth into independent thinkers and responsible individuals. Giving students the freedom to make small decisions can foster a sense of maturity, empowering us to manage our time and choices more effectively. Students are more likely to respect and engage with environments that grant them some autonomy, leading to a more positive and cooperative school culture overall. Respect garners respect; when students feel trusted, they respond with greater responsibility, appreciation, and pride in their school environment.
Every day, decisions that shape our academic futures are forced upon us. We balance heavy workloads, manage crammed schedules, and plan for life beyond high school. In comparison, the choice to leave campus during break seems like a small request, yet we are not given the freedom to do so. DVHS, it’s time to open the gates and let us learn and thrive without unnecessary restrictions. We’re old enough to make responsible choices—including where we spend our lunch.
