By Salma Zaghari, Staff Writer
In an effort to improve academic performance and create a more conducive learning environment, teachers at River Hill High School have started monitoring students’ Spotify playlists during school hours. The new policy aims to ensure that students are only listening to piano music, which is believed to enhance concentration and memory retention.
According to the school administration, several teachers have reported hearing “distracting” music coming from students’ earphones during class, such as rap, rock, and pop. “We cannot allow students to listen to music that has lyrics, beats, or any other elements that may interfere with their ability to learn,” said Principal John Smith. “Piano music, on the other hand, has been scientifically proven to stimulate the brain and promote learning.”
To enforce the new policy, teachers have been trained to spot-check students’ Spotify playlists and ask them to switch to piano music if they are caught listening to anything else. “We have a responsibility to ensure that our students are not only learning, but also doing so in a distraction-free environment,” said English teacher Ms. Johnson. “If that means confiscating their phones and playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata on repeat, so be it.”
Some students have expressed frustration and disbelief at the new policy. “I can’t believe they’re monitoring what we listen to on our own devices,” said junior Jack Harlows. “What’s next, banning all music except classical? What about students who prefer other genres or find piano music boring?” Others, however, have embraced the new rule and even started creating their own piano playlists. “I actually like piano music, so I don’t mind switching to it during class,” said sophomore Emily Juan, “It helps me focus and stay calm.”
Whether the new policy will have any significant impact on academic performance remains to be seen. In the meantime, River Hill High School students can expect to hear more of Chopin, Debussy, and Mozart during class, and less of Lil Nas X, BTS, and Billie Eilish.