Jayden Baibus, a senior at Arrowhead, is planning to graduate in January, after the first semester ends, instead of in June, where most seniors officially graduate. Graduating early requires all of what graduating at the normal time does, but it does take more work, according to Baibus.

“I just talked to my counselor, had them adjust my schedule to get all the credits I need, and we had a meeting with the principal to confirm the plans,” he says.

According to the official Arrowhead website, Arrowhead high school requires 50 credits to graduate, so as long as a student has those credits by the end of first semester in senior year, they are allowed to graduate.

Baibus plans to use the extra semester as a break. “I have a plan to try and go to college during fall of 2022,” he says. But there are other options as well. “I may take a leap year to save enough money for college and get mentally better.”

“I have applied to college and I have been accepted to a college, Minnesota State University,” he says. “My guidance counselor is fine with me graduating. She’s relieved that I have some kind of plan for after school is over.”

He also expresses mixed feelings about graduation, no matter how early. “I am excited to finally have some time off to focus on how to continue my life.” Since he plans to go to college in the fall, graduating early opens up an entire semester to him.

“At the same time,” he adds, “I’m sad because I won’t be able to see the people I have become friends with over the years.” 

Despite discontinuing school in January, Baibus still gets to attend the graduation ceremony in spring and graduate with the rest of the class of 2022. 

“I will not be missing graduation,” he says. “I had to miss out on a lot of things in my senior year, but one thing that I know I will do will be graduating.”

Events like prom, however, are not as solid. “Unfortunately, I’m not sure if I can attend prom,” Baibus says. “I know I can walk with the rest of the graduating class, but things like prom are less defined.”