January 8-10 is finals week for students in grades 9-12 and marks the end of the first semester for the 2024-25 school year. ADM High School holds finals in a unique way. While other schools take finals before winter break, ADM students take their finals after returning from break to the end first semester. Some students may be required to take tests whereas others have the option of just reassessing to improve their grade, if necessary. Finals can be a stressful time for everyone whether you are fresh into high school, or know every single in and out of getting through finals week. Depending on the classes you take, and your current grades, may determine your finals week schedule as a student at ADM. But the question is; does your grade level play into how many finals you have to take? 

Freshman Davin Deitrick said, “I only have to come in to take the mandatory finals; choir and Spanish. I will go in at around 11:00 am and be at school for only 90 minutes to take my test.” 

Riley Ostrem, senior, only has to come in for two finals as well; English and Financial Literacy. “I feel pretty confident in both of the tests, one is an English test and the other is my retake for financial literacy. I haven’t had to study that much,” said Ostrem.

When asked about her prior feelings about finals, freshman Madison Gelhaar said, “The only test I need to take is my French speaking final. I am not so sure how that will go, but hopefully, it will be fine.” Many foreign language students are required to come in and take their end-of-unit tests during the finals period.

After finals week has ended, students and staff will get a fresh start at the beginning of second semester.