Florida high school segregates students by grades at lunch

HUDSON, Fla. – A Florida high school is making news for its policy of segregating its students during lunch by their grade point average.

Hudson High School in Pasco County began the program at the beginning of the school year in hopes of giving students incentives to do better in the classroom.

WTVT reports the policy has drawn criticism from those who believe splitting the students only ruins moral and divides rather than inspires.

According to a junior at the school, students who qualify with their GPA and good attendance receive a wristband that allows them special privileges such as being allowed to eat outside the cafeteria.

Students need a 2.0 GPA with no F's and less than four excused or unexcused absences to qualify.

Those who do not have wristbands are labeled "off-track" and forced to eat inside the lunchroom where, students say, some are forced to stand due to overcrowding. In addition, students are not allowed to leave the cafeteria, even to meet with teachers.

Off-track students are so upset, some protested the policy and walked out of lunch on Thursday. School officials claim there are plenty of seats in the cafeteria.