A house system was adopted at ICSA in the 2019-2020 school year by a group of six juniors as a CAS project in order to promote school spirit and encourage belonging among upper school students.
The tradition of house teams is an integral part of school culture worldwide. This concept, tracing its origins to the 19th-century British boarding school system, has transformed over time to encompass not just athletics, but also academics, the arts, and a general sense of community.
This tradition was originally established as a means to support and encourage students in their academic and social lives while apart from their families. These houses, commonly recognized by their house colors or mascots, engage in a wide range of competitions. This enduring tradition fosters a sense of unity, instills discipline, and nurtures a shared identity that often extends far beyond graduation day.
The Luck of the Draw
The house system started off great at ICSA, but this year during the 2023-24 launch, students started complaining about how the houses were sorted. How were these teams formed? Why did some students end up with a dream team while others found themselves in the exact opposite situation?
Fairness is a bit like the golden rule: treat others as you want to be treated. In schools, it’s about giving every student a fair shot, no matter their background, skills, or interests. When things are fair, it’s a win-win for everyone. When students feel that they are being treated fairly, they are more likely to be engaged and participate in house activities and school. But when it’s not, well, that’s when people start to complain.
“When creating the teams, we could immediately see that some were unfair. But we just stuck with it.”
—Lydia Solares, High School House Team Committee Leader
After having already been feeling as if they were sorted unfairly, students felt uneasy after the orange team had won the most points on the first day and felt as if the judging was biased.
Ensuring Fair Team Formation
In an exclusive interview with Tridev Kar, our middle school house committee leader (and person responsible for house team formation), we gained valuable insights into the process. Tridev revealed that the teams were assembled using a “randomization method,” emphasizing that the list of names was left untouched by anyone with access to it. However, acknowledging one significant oversight, they expressed regret over not factoring in the diverse strengths of individual students when creating the teams.
Addressing concerns about the fairness of the house teams, Both Lydia and Tridev appeared to validate the comments made by those who had raised the issue. Lydia even recognized the amount of people who have complained about the teams.
Comments are being made by many students about how unfair the sorting actually was. Even Lydia says, “Stepping back and looking at it, I’m like oh my goodness we’re gonna win everything… a lot of people feel like they do not have the advantage we have.”
Yet, they also emphasized the practical challenges involved in relaunching the houses, suggesting that such a move may not be feasible at this stage after the launch.
“I do feel that the comments are justified, but at this stage, it wouldn’t work to relaunch the houses.”
—Middle School House Committee Leader, Tridev Kar
When asked about potential solutions to the situation, Tridev and Lydia indicated that the path forward would depend on the extent of dissatisfaction among the students, indicating a willingness to consider adjustments if a substantial number of students felt unfairly treated.
The sorting system is supposed to be inclusive. The hope is that it will reflect the diversity of our student body. But, are we really getting a diverse mix in our teams, or are certain groups dominating the scene?
Are all the house teams getting the same resources, attention, and opportunities? You know how some teams get the committee leaders while others have to make do without?
We are looking forward to seeing what changes will be made in the future, if any. Fairness means everyone should have a shot at the top, right?
