Party Culture (HRS vs Other Schools)

The Bay Area’s high school party culture varies widely, depending on the school. Many have commented on the lack of the School’s social life outside the classroom, compared to different schools in the Bay Area. The School has a relatively relaxed party scene, while other schools, like Oakland Technical School and Bishop O’Dowd, have large and rowdy parties. 

The School’s party culture has been favored by some students for its less hectic and chaotic nature, while others prefer other schools’ parties for their zeal. Junior Bryce Clepper enjoys the School’s parties for its “homie feel.” In other words, because the School has a fairly small student body, everyone knows everyone else. This leads to more comfortability and self-authenticity in a social scene. Additionally, Clepper states that “students can identify with the party better.” In the Bay Area, known for students’ reckless behavior, the School’s parties provide a socially safe environment where nothing dangerous or abnormal will occur. Students know what they are expecting before going, including who is attending, which food and drinks are being served, and how long it will last. This creates a far safer environment, where authorities will likely never be involved and students will avoid medical emergencies. On the other hand, many have criticized the School’s party culture for being too boring, predictable, and repetitive. Clepper calls the School’s parties “not as exciting or extravagant.” The downside to having the same format of a party is that it could eventually become too habitual and therefore, less fun. This ruins the chaotic nature of parties, to the point that it becomes a “kickback”– that is, a small group of friends that socialize–and not a party. Other schools with larger student bodies like Oakland Technical School, which has over 2,000 students, have unique parties that never repeat, with different people who attend each time. In fact, these parties draw not only Oakland Tech kids but students across the Bay. Thus, not only can students socialize with Oakland Tech kids, but they can also interact with San Francisco, San Jose, and even Marin kids.

Furthermore, senior Tara Pabla says other schools’ parties are “more frequent with a lot more people, causing them to be much more exciting.” The frequency of parties gives students something to look forward to each weekend, whereas students at the School must wait much longer for social events. Because of the large number of people that attend other schools, it creates a mysterious aura of asking, “Who will attend?” and “What will happen?”, instead of knowing exactly who will be there and what will happen beforehand. Therefore, the uncertainty of events leads to more anticipation, causing more excitement and engagement at the party. 

Ultimately, opinions about the party culture among schools vary. However, not one opinion is objectively correct: one’s preference for parties is entirely subjective. On the one hand, if one enjoys going out often and having an unpredictable night, which can lead to more excitement, they may prefer other schools’ parties. On the other hand, students who favor consistency and context about the party beforehand might appreciate the School’s parties more. While both perspectives are valid and subject to personal preference, trying something different can sometimes open up a new door.