From left, seniors Brooke Milkiewicz, Kasey Buchmiller and Mahwish Sajid work on chemistry school work in one of two labs at the Escanaba Area High School. Principals and teachers are currently working on a new lab to accommodate the large number of chem students next year due to the requirements of the Michigan Merit Curriculum. (Daily Press photo by Audrey LaFave)

ESCANABA — Local schools are working hard to keep kids graduating under the new Michigan Merit Curriculum that applies to students who are freshmen and sophomores this year. Escanaba Area High School Doug Leisenring said some effects have not been realized yet. Next year, all juniors, nearly 300 students at EAHS, will take chemistry, a school first. The school’s current two labs cannot handle that capacity. “We have never had that many kids take chem,” he said. “I have to come up with a way to create a third lab for next year, with the availability of the water and gas lines you need to have a robust chemistry program.” Leisenring and the science teachers are working on creating the third lab for next school year. Looking at the future of education in Michigan, every student is now required to take the college preparatory classes, like chemistry, whereas before maybe 40 percent took them.