A Glimpse Into The Different Generations At Highland

Highland has been around for more than 65 years and has become the source of education for many generations and a home for students and staff alike.
The school has been through the rise of rock and roll music, the second women’s right movement, different fashion trends like bell bottom jeans in the 70’s or neon colors in the 90’s, and the emergence of technology into society. The constant flow of students and culture will continue to flow through the Highland community, even when the building becomes rubble.
As of 2025, there are five generations represented at Highland: Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and now Gen Alpha. Each generation is defined with specific characteristics that make them unique – and often stereotyped.
When Highland first opened its doors, the first students to enroll were Baby Boomers. Baby Boomers were born between the years 1946-1964 and are known to be independent, confident, and have a strong work ethic. They value tradition and question authority if it conflicts with their values. Some negative stereotypes of their generation are being resistant to change and being too competitive.
Some important events during this generation were the Civil Rights Movement, The Vietnam War, the Cold War and the first moon landing. They were raised by parents who lived through The Great Depression and World War II, which meant their parents were used to hard times and raised their kids to work hard. A few of the teachers at Highland are Baby Boomers.
The next generation at Highland was Gen X. Gen Xers were born between 1965-1980. They are known for being independent, adaptable, and resourceful.
Another term for Gen X is the “sandwich generation,” or the “forgotten generation,” because it is in between two of the most influential generations (Baby Boomers and Millennials) and it is often overlooked, leading to a more independent way of navigating life. Gen X is the most known for bridging the gap between new and old technology (analog vs. digital). A lot of the teachers at Highland are Gen X.
After Gen X, Millennials were born. Millennials were born in 1980-1996. They are known to be socially conscious, constantly seeking purpose, and are motivated by their desire to make an impact. Some negative stereotypes of their generation are career impatience, dependent on feedback, and acting entitled. They are often the butt of jokes, usually from Gen Xers.
Millennials are the most known for being the first generation to grow up with technology. They are also known for the increased safety efforts after the September 11 attacks. There are a few Millennials who teach at Highland.
Following Millennials is Gen Z, people born between 1996 and 2010. Most of the current students at Highland were born in this generation. They are known to have a deep connection to technology; they care deeply about social issues, and care about being inclusive and diverse. They are known as digital natives.
The final generation at Highland this year is Gen Alpha. Gen Alpha is born between the years 2010-2024. They are the most technologically advanced and have experienced events like the Covid Pandemic. Some of the freshman classes this year belong to Gen Alpha.
This year, the Highland Rambler will be covering the interaction and differences between all these generations at Highland. The Rambler will be comparing the different generations because every generation is different in their ability to work, communicate, and collaborate.
Every generation has had a different impact and influence on the world; they are all trying to improve what the previous generation did wrong.
The Rambler will be observing how students have changed over time in education along with how social trends and cultural aspects have changed. It will show how students learn in the classroom, how much they participate in extracurriculars, changes in school spirit, and how students interact with each other.
The Rambler will also be noticing how teachers are adapting to the different types of students in each generation. This will show how teachers have had to change their classrooms based on technology and the behavior of students in the classroom.
The different generations show how everything intersects in a school. Highland has a diverse enough faculty and study body to provide multiple perspectives and opportunities to learn from each other.