High Schools & Usability

So, today is the day my daughter starts her first day of high school! Now, as a proud papa I’m excited for her, and can’t believe how much time has gone by, seems like only yesterday she was heading off to 1st grade with a pony-tail and ribbons in her hair.

However, as a usability geek I’m noting how the high school handled getting a whole class of hundreds and hundreds of new students into the mix and informed as to where to go, and when, and what the “rules” are for being a good High School Citizen.

There were several introductory meetings, one which was parents only, just to inform the new incoming class’ parents on how things work. Maps were provided, and overviews of what the kids could expect on their first day were communicated. The school also takes advantage of the internet and has large amounts of content available as well. From a usability standpoint the communication was clear, consistent and importantly repeated several times over several weeks.

Later, registration was handled in a user-friendly way by bringing in the freshmen in groups, divided by their last names. Since my daughter was a “T” she went in with one of the later groups. Again, the school communicated how things worked, what classes each student had (by providing handouts of each student’s schedule) and provided maps and books the student would be required to bring on the first day. Again, information was repeated, and the communication was clear and consistent, making it a user-friendly experience.

This organization style and methodology is probably very similiar across the various U.S. high schools, in terms of getting large populations instructed in a usable way. I just noted that the routine at my daughter’s school seemed extremely well organized.

So, there you go, my daughter is staring four years of high school squarely in the face, starting today! And I was rather impressed with how the high school administration made the instruction of parents and students a user-friendly process.
If you have, or had, a child in high school, how did your school do from a usability perspective in providing the freshman information and instruction?