Wakeland High School, part of the Frisco Independent School District, follows a structured set of rules to create a focused, respectful, and safe environment for its students. These guidelines cover everything from student behavior and dress code to technology usage and safety measures, helping the school maintain a positive atmosphere that supports learning and community engagement. However, recently Wakeland has drawn attention for its growing list of regulations, with students noticing an increase in both the number and specificity of the rules.
These changes significantly impact students’ daily routines. The school now restricts lunch gathering locations, and the dress code is being enforced with even more passion. Many students argue that these rules stifle personal expression and create a tense atmosphere. Wakeland has recently implemented a new bathroom pass rule, requiring students to complete a form to use the bathroom.
Brody Yocum, a student at Wakeland expresses his frustration with this rule by saying, “I bet we’ll go back to bathroom passes… because it’s annoying to fill out [a form].”
While students might perceive Wakeland as becoming stricter over the years, Assistant Principal Mr. Durand reveals that the rules were even more rigid when he joined the school in 2006.
“When I came to Wakeland, the rules then were probably more strict, especially concerning dress code,” he recalls. Mr. Durand also clarifies that many regulations apply district-wide, adding, “[it is] not necessarily a Wakeland thing, because that kind of [rule] is set by the district.”
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that up to 17,000 or 18% of public schools enforce a strict dress code. This trend has sparked nationwide debates about balancing school discipline and students’ rights. The cost of uniforms can strain some families’ budgets. However, Frisco ISD, including Wakeland HS, does not mandate a unique uniform for its students.
Despite the recent feedback from the students at Wakeland, campus rules play a crucial role in maintaining a structured and fair learning environment.
Assistant Principal Mr. Durand highlights this goal, explaining, “We try to do what’s best for kids”. When discussing how rules are implemented, he said, “We aim for everybody to have a good experience in high school” highlighting that student comfort is most important to decision-making.
Looking ahead, school administrators like Mr. Durand consider different ways to adapt or even change the current rules while supporting a good learning environment and maintaining peace. The assistant principal also mentioned that there are ongoing conversations with students.
“We are open for feedback”, he said.
Despite recent fluctuations, students are still choosing to stay with Wakeland. That means that the directing team is still able to find a perfect balance between freedom and discipline. However, as Wakeland continues to adopt new policies, questions arise; Do students still feel comfortable in the school, and how can the administration further support their positive experience?