When I was in ninth grade I realized public school wasn't working for me. My parents and I searched for a school with smaller classes and eventually we found a school, but the classes were much, much smaller. The next year, as I entered tenth grade, I joined a class of 12 students.

I was terrified, I had so many worries. "How could I make friends with only 4 other girls?" How would I get a date to prom with 8 boys?" "Even worse would there even be a prom?"

As I settled into my new school I learned that friendship was not confined to your grade or gender. My best friend was a guy who was a year older than me. He was different than the friends I had at public school but he also showed me unconditional friendship and support. Even to this day he remains one of my closest friends, though I'm in Ithaca and he's in Massachusetts. He's remained a constant in my life throughout all the changes that have occurred in these past few years. He's the one I want to text when I do well, but also when I fail. No matter whats going on in his life he always makes time to keep me in it. My small high school introduced me to a friend who has forever changed me.

My best school friend and I at my graduation Author's Photo

I also worried about being in such small classes. Through this, I learned that teachers could become friends and mentors. The teacher that impacted me the most was my history and psychology teacher. Throughout my three years, we got to know each other fairly well through three classes, many study halls, and countless life advice sessions. This teacher became not only a teacher but someone who knew me and wasn't afraid to call me out on things. She knew when I was sick the night before and didn't do my best work or if I was struggling and needed help. She knew when to push and when to hold back. She helped me grow not only as a student but as a person. The school's small classes allowed me to get to know her and develop this relationship.

Going to a small high school had its ups and downs, there were no secrets and no hiding, but the relationships I made with both teachers and students, make it all worth it. There were moments where I hated my "weird" school of 70 people, but I learned to deal with difficult people, and how to face a problem head-on. My high school experience was anything but conventional and I wouldn't have it any other way.