The nine-minute drive between Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South has become routine for Torch editors Joyce Ng and Molly Nicoll. As students who take classes at GBN and GBS, Joyce and Molly engage in a conversation to offer their opinions about distinctions between the schools. Students may travel between schools for programs like the Academy, languages not offered at their school, scheduling limitations and more.
Joyce: We are both students in the Academy of International Studies, so we spend a semester each year taking Academy courses at GBS. But Molly, I know you spend a little more time of your day over there.
Molly: Yes, because of scheduling issues, I also take some of my other classes at GBS, like math and science.
Joyce: Do you feel like there is a difference in class rigor between GBN and GBS?
Molly: I think the way in which the classes are structured are fairly different between the two schools. At GBS, science classes do a lot more projects, formal labs and discussions than what I was used to at GBN, but it is not necessarily more difficult. But, I can pretty confidently say that math at GBN is discernibly harder.
Joyce: Outside of class, there are definitely noticeable differences as well, especially given the difference in student body size.
Molly: GBS definitely has a lot more security with stricter and more specific rules. On my first day of school, I went to have lunch with some friends in one of GBS’ cafeterias. I said that I wanted to leave early to try and find my next class, and I was told that I would not be able to because the hallways would be blocked off. At designated times of the day, you can only walk through certain hallways when they are opened for the passing period.
Joyce: It is so weird to be policed around so much because at GBN, it is almost the complete opposite. It is very normal to see people walking around in the hallways, even when class is going on.
Molly: How do you think certain spaces differ at GBN and GBS?
Joyce: GBS has a secondary cafeteria area that is solely dedicated to freshmen because of the larger student population. It is like a sectioned-off area that offers more seating for students. Also, their café is not in the cafeteria but rather a walk-up window. It is reminiscent of a concession stand, and they even sometimes decorate it during the holidays.
Molly: GBS has two common areas, the Old Pit and the New Pit, where students tend to socialize, sort of like the SAC at GBN. Similar to the Blocks at GBN, GBS also has the Link, where students can sit, talk and do homework.
Joyce: GBS also has the Titan Learning Center, which is essentially a combination of the various resource centers we have at GBN.
Molly: Do you feel like there are differences in diversity between GBN and GBS?
Joyce: For sure. When I am walking through the GBS halls, I see a lot more students from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Molly: I feel like that also lends itself to how they structure clubs and activities at GBS.
Joyce: Exactly. Sophomore year, I helped out at a freshman club event at GBS. I remember thinking there were so many more extracurricular activities than there were at GBN, and that definitely has to do with their larger student body and diversity. For example, GBN has Pan-Asian Student Society and South Asian Student Association, while GBS has more specific clubs like Korean American Student Association, Japanese Club and Muslim Student Association.
Molly: When I attended the GBS fall sports assembly, different groups of students performed as they do at GBN, but clubs were also able to speak and provide basic information to encourage student involvement. There actually had to be two different assemblies during the afternoon at GBS, mainly due to the large student body size.
Joyce: Having classes at both schools is such a unique learning experience because some of my closest friends go to GBS. Without the Academy, I probably would have never gotten the chance to meet them. Being at the intersection of two communities has been an integral part of my high school experience.
Molly: I completely agree. Being a student at both GBN and GBS has been such a unique experience. I have met a lot more people, gained new perspectives and learned how to fit into different communities.