A new late policy went into practice going into Flint Hill’s 2025-2026 school year, reducing the number of tardies before a detention from five to three. To some, including me, the change seemed unnecessary.

Fortunately, I was able to interview Upper School Dean of Students, Mr. Jeremiah Shepherd, about the Upper School’s reasoning for the change, and after talking with him, I understood the changes a lot more.

“Having it [the amount of lates you can get] at five didn’t really display the importance or the respect that we have for time,” Mr. Shepherd said.

I agree with this idea, but also hope that they will keep a “grace period” to new students at the start of the year. I’ve seen it firsthand: freshman and transfers rushing from class to class at the start of the year, and throwing a late on top of that can be stressful when you only have three before a detention.

Similarly, when asked if there was a standard the Upper School was trying to set by implementing this rule, Mr. Shepherd had this to say:

“It’s a standard of accountability. Not just on the part of students, but also on the part of our understanding about what we need to provide for you.”

I fully understand and agree with this. Going through high school, there is a certain level of independence and responsibility you take on. The downside to this is being ready to face the consequences if you abuse that freedom you are given.

Additionally, a main fear of students regarding this change is how easy it is to accidentally be late to class throughout the year, facing a detention even if you tried your best to show up to class on time. After asking Mr. Shepherd about this worry, he had this to say,

“I don’t want students to feel as if any changes made to our policies are intended to get students in trouble. There is some empathy here. If somebody is late to class one time in September, one time in January, and then they are late to class one time in April, I’m not gonna make them serve detention for that.”

This grace given to students who might be late only when they have no control over it is a great clear up. Only 3 lates seems daunting, but as long as you are on time unless the one off time where you can’t really control it, you aren’t likely to face punishment.

All in all, the Upper School’s change to the “Late to Class” policy threw a couple of people off, including me. After interviewing Mr. Shepherd, in which he cleared up some big fears of students being tardy, I have realized that the change is nothing to worry about, and just a way of putting Flint Hill’s core values into practice.