In classrooms across the country, detentions are a commonplace disciplinary tactic to address student misbehavior. At WCHS, whether it is for tardiness or disruptive behaviour, students are now starting to face consequences in the form of lunch detentions. While detentions are meant to correct behavior, educators and students alike are beginning to ask the question: do they actually work?
“This is a WCHS-specific system, but it aligns with MCPS expectations around improving attendance and student accountability,” WCHS Assistant Principal Dr. Ericka Mbachu said. “Schools have flexibility in how they implement those goals. Since we launched the system in early September, around 240 students have served detention.”
The new detention policy at WCHS aims to eliminate student tardiness through a five-strike policy. There has been an upward trend of students coming late to class which disrupts instruction. After five cumulative tardies, students receive a pink detention slip and an additional one for every tardy afterwards. Students who receive these passes must spend their lunches in detention, spending time reflecting on their actions. Coordinating staff to ensure detentions are assigned and served, Mbachu believes that enforcing consequences is a crucial aspect of reforming student behaviour.
“We needed a consistent system that holds students accountable while helping them rebuild routines around being on time,” Mbachu said. “The detention policy is working. The structure makes expectations clear and gives us a predictable way to respond. It is not about punishment; it is about restoring time and routines for learning.”
The idea behind detention is simple– present a consequence to rule-breaking as a way for students to consider their actions, potentially leading to growth and behavioral change. But to WCHS senior Evelyn Johns, detentions are not producing these desired results.
“These detentions are meant to deter students from being late, but in reality they serve as little more than an inconvenience,” Johns said. “Most students just sit on their phones or do homework. I have not noticed much impact on student behavior. The people at lunch detention appear to be the same people each time.”
While some students remain skeptics concerning the new detention policy, there has been an undeniable decrease in WCHS rankings last year, which might justify this new policy. As part of WCHS’ initiative to regain its ranking in The Maryland State Department of Education’s list of the best schools in Maryland, detentions may be a viable route for improving student conduct, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“We have seen a steady drop in late arrivals and more students making it to class before the bell,” Mbachu said. “Students are realizing the system is consistent and that follow-up happens every week. The plan is to continue refining the policy through the year based on data. The long-term goal is fewer detentions because students have developed better habits, not to keep the system running indefinitely.”
