At Archer, Growing Up Is Measured in Trips Across Sunset

Across the street are coffee, burritos and sandwiches. In September 2021, according to the student paper, The Oracle, "across the street privileges" returned after the pandemic, and for the first time they included sophomores.

The privileges come in layers. Sophomores could cross only at lunch. Juniors could cross before and after school, at lunch and during a flex period. Seniors could cross any time they did not have class or a commitment. Everyone had to check out and back in with security using their ID card.

Independence is a specific address. At Archer, it is across Sunset, and you earn it a few hours at a time.

The dean of student life explained why sophomores were added. "Tenth graders really didn't have a ninth grade experience on campus last year," she said. Deans and student leaders had asked what would make the year special for them. The answer was permission to leave for lunch.

A sophomore, having just made her first trip, gave the paper a one-line review: "It is really cool." A junior said that getting coffee across the street felt like a little normal life after a year and a half of online school. A senior said a drink from the coffee shop was a nice way to start the day.

It is a very particular happiness, crossing the street to buy a sandwich you could get on campus. The food is not the point. The crossing is the point.

The eldest, a junior, is allowed to walk to the coffee shop four blocks from our house. Alone. On weekends. She asked for this right for about a year, presenting arguments of increasing sophistication, and when we finally said yes she seemed almost disappointed that the campaign was over.

She went on the first Saturday. She was gone twenty minutes. She came back with an iced drink and an expression of great calm.

The youngest asked when she could go. I said when she's sixteen. She said that was "across the street from now." I have no idea what that means, but I have a feeling she does.