Why Health Class Should Be a Graduation Requirement

What do you think is the most important life skill? Is it writing a good essay, knowing how to do algebra, or learning how to save a person’s life? Every student in Deerfield should leave knowing how to save a life, manage stress, and make informed choices about their well-being. Yet, despite this importance, health education is not a graduation requirement. Currently, only ninth and tenth graders taking five graded classes are required to take Health Seminar I and II. Others can graduate from Deerfield without ever taking a health class. It is a gap that feels inconsistent. When only some students receive basic health edu- cation and others don’t, it creates a skills and knowledge gap that everyone, regardless of academic background, will need one day.

For some students, taking the Health class is simply a scheduling outcome. Because of conflicts or the number of graded classes a student takes, some students end up with Health in their schedules, while others may never have the opportunity. This means that learning how to be a healthy person, something that is universal, becomes a matter of chance. The lessons covered in Health are foundational tools that relate to every student, no matter what they plan to do during and after Deerfield.

During the Health Seminar classes, students discuss everything from CPR training and nutrition to addiction, relationships, and mental health. Deerfield’s CPR training is certified through the American Heart Association with instructors from the Institute of Wild Med. Students learn how to perform compressions, use an AED, and respond to emergencies. Those couple of hours could one day make the difference between life and death, something few other high school courses can guarantee.

Other parts of the course have an equally enduring impact. One recent unit included watching Ten Dollar Death Trip: Inside the Fentanyl Crisis, a documentary that exposed how addiction ravages communities and individuals. It helped students see how a single, seemingly small decision could turn into a domino effect, reshaping the rest of people’s lives. These lessons teach empathy, responsibility, and an understanding of how health decisions mold both individual lives and society.

Health also puts much emphasis on mental well-being, which is rarely discussed in academic life. Students are reminded about the resources at the D.S. Chen Health and Wellness Center, which has both professional medical and counseling support 24/7. While those resources exist, they often feel distant from daily student life; Health class bridges that gap, normalizing conversations about stress, balance, and seeking help. By reinforcing that mental health is a vital part of overall wellness and not an afterthought, Health class helps break the stigma around it. Students learn that asking for help isn’t a weakness but a representation of self-awareness and maturity.

Some would argue that taking Health would interfere with taking other electives or a sixth course. But two one-term courses out of a total of twelve terms is not asking a lot. The benefits of universal health education, such as increased awareness, safety, and emotional resilience, far outweigh the minor scheduling inconvenience. Even from an institutional perspective, requiring Health ensures that every Deerfield graduate leaves with the same preparation for life beyond school, not just academic readiness.

Deerfield students take pride in being prepared for college and life beyond. However, life rarely tests us on visual arts or photography; it tests us on how we react under pressure, how we care for our- selves, and how we support others. A well-rounded education should teach more than academic skills; it should teach us how to stay healthy, steady, and compassionate when it matters most. Perhaps it’s time Deerfield ensures that every student has the tools to do so.