Saja Amrati, Grade 10, Staff Writer     At the High School of American Studies (HSAS) learning does not stop in the classroom. Common Sense  takes a look at our classmates’ field trip experiences so far.      According to Votes for Schools , over 90 percent of primary and secondary students agreed that schools should provide field trips. At HSAS, students have one to two grade-wide field trips per year, and some clubs offer additional field trips.      Frosh students go to St

Ela Oksoy, Grade 11, News Editor National Honors Society (NHS) is a nationwide organization dedicated to student leadership and service. However, too often, a local chapter is merely a surface-level confirmation of strong academics and some volunteer hours. Common Sense  investigates the recent NHS chapter revival at the High School of American Studies (HSAS).     The fresh renewal has steered the club in the direction it was pointed at for many years. Mr. Elinson, facult

Camille Dillon-Eirich, Grade 10, Staff Writer and Veronica Mollod, Grade 11, Current Events Editor  The New York Times  has reported that 500,000 individuals have been deported by President Donald Trump in his second term. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity has been a concern for many, such as immigrant individuals from the High School of American Studies (HSAS) community, this past year.     Tsulaneyah Himes (‘28) says she does not believe T

Theo Bonin, Grade 9, Staff Writer The many four-day weeks that students experienced over the first few months of school benefit them both mentally and academically. During October and November, six of the nine weeks of school had at least one day off, not including the half day for Fall Fest. Common Sense  looks into the specific effects that one-day-breaks, and sometimes extended weekends, have on students.     These partial weeks provide students with much needed days o

By Lilly Eyal and Olivia Goldman, Grade 11, Staff Writers The High School of American Studies has a high percentage of LGBTQ+ students, and according to the student body, it is a safer environment than most. Common Sense   interviewed students, and teachers to gain a better understanding of the LGBTQ+ experience at HSAS. Most participants in this article share that HSAS is more accepting compared to other places.      "It's definitely made me feel more open about myself,"

Dahlia Lief, Grade 10, Staff Writer After pressure from Congress to release the investigative files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, about 30,000 pages of files were released by the Justice Department. As public speculation about the files runs rampant, Common Sense investigates how High School of American Studies (HSAS) students feel about what information was released, what may have been suppressed, and why.      The released material contained photos, interview notes,

Alexa Stone and Isabel Lindner, 11th Grade, Staff Writers  Since 2020, Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) cutoff scores for six out of the eight Specialized High Schools have decreased. Common Sense investigates possible causes for this drop in scores. Throughout the city, thousands of students annually prepare for the test, using different resources like private tutors, group prep classes, and workbooks, or they go into it blind.  Although many people value t

Ela Oksoy, Grade 11, News Editor & Veronica Mollod, Grade 11, Current Events Editor HSAS requires students to keep their phones in their lockers following the statewide phone ban.   Education Law §2803 states that all phones and other devices connected to the internet are no longer allowed in New York state schools. Common Sense investigates whether the phone ban is essential to foster social connection, or merely an unsustainable hindrance. Since its implementation in the

Syeda Ahmed Grade 10, Staff Writer and Theo Bonin, Grade 9, Staff Writer HSAS has seen fluctuating yet notable demographic shifts over the past decade, emerging as one of the more inclusive and diverse specialized high schools in New York City, with White, Asian, and Hispanic students compromising more than 20% of the student body each. Common Sense  looks at the progress made and what remains for HSAS to be on the right track.  Our school hasn’t always been the “melting po

Sebastian Kopp, Grade 9, Staff Writer Dinosaurs. Potentially the most famous and adored group of animals to ever exist. Two hundred years...