Maria Paloka, a Junior attending Waterford High school, immigrated to America from Rhodes, an island in Greece, about three years ago during the summer. She shares how there was a change between schooling here, and back in Greece.
Schools in Greece are a centralized system governed by the Hellenic Ministry of Education, free and compulsory between the age group of 6 to 15 years as indicated by MFA Greece, and secondary divided into a lower three year cycle (Gymnasio) and an upper three year cycle (Lykeio) with state wide examinations leading to entry to university (Eurydice).
“School in Greece was peaceful. I would have a seven-hour day of school. It would be more difficult than school here but more fun. We had a lot of assignments and we carried 20 bucks every day in our bags. We didn’t have computers or fancy equipment. We also didn’t do sports”
She states, here at Waterford she has a less stressful schedule with the elective courses, sports teams, smaller classes, and a block day schedule.
“I also like schools in America because there are so many more opportunities and hobbies like sports … kids really care about their education in America. In Greece people don’t really care and I’ve seen a huge development from going to school in Greece and going to school here.” She added.
In the US, high schools are controlled by locally elected school districts, attendances are from ages 14 through age 18, and advance by earning credits through courses of varying levels: APS, Honors, and regular, rather than a centralized test.
Greek education is centered on standardized national curriculum and exams. Not only that, but the school’s scenery differs from Waterford High School. She recalls, “it was all open and had trees inside and it was all white. We don’t have a lunch room or tables or anything like that. We had this small school store and got food from there or we went out and bought food because we could leave and come back.”
Though, she added a difference is Waterford High School’s leave policy. This policy only applies to seniors, where they are permitted to leave five minutes early before the school day ends or leave if their study hall was the first or last block. “We didn’t have to call out. We just go. And if we didn’t come back they didn’t care.”
