Mandatory midterms resurface at Cape

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, Cape High reinstituted structured midterm and final exams into the core curriculum for all classes. From Jan. 20-23, students faced two midterms each morning, with other classes following in the afternoon; these exams were worth 10% of students’ semester grades.

The idea to integrate structured midterms and finals into Cape was brought to the attention of the School Improvement Instruction Team, comprising administration, department heads and other staff, following an alumni panel. Several graduates spoke about their experiences and claimed they wish they had the ability to have larger tests in high school to develop their studying skills. 

Class of 2025 alumna and valedictorian Anna Beck furthered her education at the University of Delaware Honors College. As the valedictorian, Beck was motivated at school and prioritized academics; however, she went to college and discovered she was not fully prepared for the testing environment. Studying abroad for the duration of the first semester in Athens, Greece, Beck took midterms and finals that were worth 40% of her overall grade.

“A big challenge for me was learning how to study properly, which I think I could have figured out earlier if I had more midterms [in high school],” she said.

“It is a great opportunity for students to prepare for the next level,” said Principal Kristin DeGregory. “Whether they go trade, military or college, there is going to be that need to study material, sit for an exam. This provides excellent practice.”

While midterms are new to the Cape school district this year, some students have already been exposed to common assessments that were informally considered as midterms.

Priscilla Coolbaugh, a physics teacher at Cape, has given a midterm to her students since the pandemic.

“For senior classes, I really think it helps prepare them for college since some universities only have two grades for their course: a midterm and final exam,” she said.

To minimize the stress of a heavily weighted midterm exam, she permitted an answer sheet where students used resources, such as previous notes, quizzes and assignments, to benefit them for the test.

Even though the midterm exams are beneficial to recap and retain information from the first semester, students still have mixed feelings.

“They were definitely harder to study for since they were cumulative exams, but at least I could develop my study skills early on,” said senior Allaire Burton.

She said she appreciated the exams because she felt they helped prepare her for college.

A majority of students dislike the midterm exams because they are a larger percentage of their grade compared to typical common assessments.

“It was a lot of pressure to take eight tests that covered so much information, especially when they were worth such a large portion of my grade,” said sophomore Marshall Keys. 

Keys said he wishes midterms were weighted the same as common assessments.

Despite controversy, DeGregory is hopeful the midterms will be beneficial to students.

“I see it as a win for our students to help them prepare for the future,” she said.