Arrowhead High School has drawn attention after the public high school switched to a new bathroom pass system for the 2025 school year.
In an attempt to cut down on the frequency and length of time during which students were asking to use the restroom during class periods, the school began using a new E-pass system.
The E-pass is an electronic hall pass required for students to take a restroom break. It has a limited use: Students may only use it up to three times per day and only seven times per week during class periods.
Arrowhead has made it clear to parents that children are allowed unlimited access to use the restroom during passing periods.
The high school’s passing periods between classes are lengthy- exactly eight minutes long- but many students and parents have criticized this excuse due to the size of the school’s campus. According to student body advocates, they may not have time to stop during passing periods and also make it between classrooms on time.
Other students groups such as young women and athletes have stated that extenuating circumstances have made it difficult to comply with these limitations.
Arrowhead Superintendent Conrad Garner defended the school’s position, stating:
“[The E-pass] is an excellent way for us to ensure safety, maximize student learning, encourage responsibility and minimize inappropriate behavior. The system enables us to respond to concerning behavior in the most timely manner and it gives us the ability to know where students are in the event of an emergency. Those are all incredibly beneficial aspects to the system and it is already proving to be tremendously beneficial.”
The E-pass system is also in use in nearby public schools including Pewaukee High School and certain Waukesha schools.
However, their circumstances are very different: These schools do not restrict kids from using the restroom after a certain number of times.
The digital system was intended to help ensure safety and limit the need for traditional paper passes.
Arrowhead’s decision to limit bathroom use has drawn national attention, with posts on TikTok drawing millions of views as students and teachers across the country voice their opinions over the school’s restrictive policy.
