Open Campus Only For Eligible Seniors

School administrators are curbing Swampscott High's open campus privilege, allowing only seniors who qualify to leave school and its grounds when they have no scheduled class. 

Interim Superintendent Garry Murphy said open campus is typically in place at schools out of economic necessity — because they have no place for the kids to go to — not to increase student achievement.

Swampscott High School's overall goal is to have students engaged in learning for the entire day.

Eligibility for the open campus privilege will be determined Tuesday, Oct. 15, pending progress report reviews. Until then there will be no open campus.

Eligibility rides on seniors being caring citizens who model the school's values and meet the following criteria:

• Maintain a 70 average or above
• Pass all classes each quarter. An F will make a student ineligible until the next progress report shows improvement
• No more than four unexcused absences in a quarter
• No more than four unexcused tardies in a quarter
• No disciplinary referrals resulting in suspension each quarter
• No class cuts
• Have the signed consent of a parent/guardian

The senior privilege may be revoked by the administration for any reason and any time, according to the regulations.

Seniors will have to wear their ID on a lanyard when signing in and out, according to the open campus rules.

Open campus was originally intended for seniors but, over the years, extended to other classes, school administrators said.

The decision to curb the privilege was an operations decision and did not require the approval of the School Committee, the interim superintendent said.

The changes are open to review and the administration will seek feedback.