John Schafer’s Election 2024 history elective has had no shortage of discussion topics this semester. In fact, the class was originally developed on the premise of a highly contentious Biden-Trump rematch. A lot has happened since then, and through a non-partisan lens, students have closely followed the presidential race while exploring the mechanics of American elections. “Rather than take sides, we present sides,” says John Schafer on teaching the course. “We lay it all out there for the students to make their own decisions and to become educated citizens.”

From campaign rhetoric, strategies, and coverage to advertising, polling, and political parties, the class examined the issues, the stakes, and the impact of the outcome on the future of our democracy and the world. “Our job is to help students think critically, weigh the arguments, listen respectfully, understand the other side, and come to conclusions for themselves,” adds Schafer.

At an Upper School Assembly on October 22, it was time for students to share what they had learned with their peers. As she created her presentation, Jordana ’25 found it most challenging to figure out what was necessary for the student body to know about the election and what could be left out, noting, “I think we all did a good job highlighting the most important parts, ensuring that the student body did not get overwhelmed.”

Eleven students volunteered to present, covering the state of the race, the candidates’ strategies, polarization, key issues, and the multitude of dynamics at play in determining who will be our next president. They included a clip from Jimmy Kimmel featuring stereotypical views of voters across party lines. They incorporated a mini trivia competition between classes. They displayed various poll results, electoral college maps, and swing states’ predictions within the margin of error, too close to call. Two students from Katherine Hanson’s Modern Middle East class outlined Harris’ and Trump’s views on the current conflict in the region and its impact on voter sentiment.

“Researching for today’s assembly emphasized the importance of educating myself on both candidates’ policies and their impacts,” reflected Miraal ’25. “It’s easy to become fixated on the policies’ temporary effects on our community, but considering the broader influences on all people’s lives is crucial.”

From abortion and the economy to immigration and the middle class, the student-led assembly was informative and even-handed, empowering the audience to become more educated consumers of the news leading up to Election Day. In preparing his talking points, Kayan ’25 was struck by “the extent to which both candidates have to posture themselves and define their opponents in order to gain votes, rather than displaying their actual thoughts or policies.”

As for the election outcome? “We don’t know,” said Hunter ’25. “That’s what makes it so fascinating to learn about each candidate’s strategies, how they attack their voter bases, how they try to galvanize them to vote, and how they try to diminish the other side…Both candidates have real viable paths to victory so don’t be surprised who wins.”

Following the presentation, cast members from the upcoming Menlo Upper School Musical Urinetown were invited to perform (see a clip here) a number from the show, portraying the parallels between the complexities of American politics and the show’s themes of corporate greed, environmental crisis, and corruption. The gospel-style “Run, Freedom, Run!” provided a much-needed dose of hope, reconciliation, and harmony after a talk about a nation deeply divided, as Sadie ’26 invited the audience to “Come to the river flowing for justice, all for the people, me and you.”

Check out photos from the Assembly here.