When you walk through the halls of Middletown High School North today, it’s easy to take things like Chromebooks, smartboards, and even casual dress codes for granted. But imagine stepping back 50 years to 1975 — the world of high school looked very different. The Lion’s Roar decided to explore how the high school experience has changed over the decades — and what has surprisingly stayed the same.
Technology: Chalkboards to Laptops
In 1975, students jotted notes in spiral-bound notebooks while teachers scribbled lessons across green chalkboards. If you needed information for a research paper, you headed to the library and flipped through a massive card catalog. Phones were attached to walls, and “cutting-edge” technology meant a calculator the size of a brick.
Fast forward to 2025, and every student at Middletown High School North carries a laptop or tablet. Research happens instantly with just a few keystrokes, some lessons even incorporate virtual reality to make history and science come alive.
Biggest Difference:
In 1975, learning meant searching. Today, it means filtering through an ocean of information.
Fashion: Bell-Bottoms to Athleisure
Fashion was a huge deal in 1975 — think bell-bottom jeans, tie-dye shirts, and platform shoes. Dress codes were stricter too: boys were expected to tuck in their shirts, and girls often faced rules about skirt length.
Today, Middletown High School North students wear sneakers, hoodies, leggings, and graphic tees without a second thought. Athleisure — clothing that’s sporty yet casual — dominates. While dress codes still exist, they are generally more relaxed, focusing more on appropriateness than strict styles.
Biggest Difference:
Fashion today emphasizes comfort and individuality, while in 1975, trends were followed more closely — and rules were enforced more strictly.
Social Life: Friday Night Lights, Then and Now
In 1975, social life revolved around Friday night football games, dances in the gym, and hanging out at the local diner. Friendships were made in person, and if you wanted to talk to someone, you had to call their house phone — and maybe talk to their parents first!
In 2025, students still love football games as North Nation really gets the crowd going, but much of the social scene also happens online. Group chats, Instagram stories, and TikTok trends play a huge role in how students connect. Yet at its core, the need for friendship, belonging, and fun hasn’t changed.
Biggest Difference:
The tools are different, but the friendships are just as important.
Education: Memorization to Critical Thinking
In 1975, education was mostly about memorizing facts and figures. Lectures were common, and students were expected to sit quietly and take notes. College was encouraged, but there was also a strong emphasis on trades and hands-on skills.
Today, education at Middletown High School North focuses more on critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. Students are often asked to work in groups, think independently, and apply knowledge to real-world problems. Programs like STEM, coding classes, and career-readiness courses prepare students for a fast-changing future.
Biggest Difference:
In 1975, education prepared students for stability. In 2025, it prepares students for change.
School Spirit: Still Going Strong
Whether it’s 1975 or 2025, one thing that hasn’t changed is school pride. Middletown High School North students have always packed the stands at games, painted their faces in school colors, and cheered loud for their teams. Pep rallies, spirit weeks, and senior traditions continue to unite students across generations.
Biggest Similarity:
School spirit never goes out of style.
Final Thoughts
While the tools, trends, and expectations of high school have changed dramatically over the past 50 years, some things stay the same: students still chase dreams, build friendships, and work toward their futures. Whether you’re carrying a backpack full of textbooks in 1975 or a laptop in 2025, the journey through high school remains one of the most memorable times of life.