Sex Education at JFKS: Moving Toward a Better Understanding
By Emmeline Muschner
One of my earliest and most vivid memories of sex education at our school involves a teacher standing at the front of the room with a wooden model of a penis. It was an awkward lesson we all dreaded, where everyone kept their heads down, avoiding eye contact. A bunch of students, the more brave and popular ones, tried making jokes, but that just made the entire situation more uncomfortable for the rest of us. Our teacher then handed the wooden penis to one student and asked him to put on a condom, giving him tips as he did so. Once that student had finally succeeded, class was suddenly over and no one else got to try. We all left that class feeling like we had witnessed something strange and uncomfortable that we didn’t have time to discuss or process.
Looking back, that moment was telling of the overall approach to sex education at our school. The curriculum has often felt rushed and incomplete, focusing only on the technical aspects of reproduction, labeling body parts I’d never heard of before, and the dangers of STIs. While these are undeniably important topics, they leave out so much of what we need to know—about our bodies, relationships, consent, and even self-respect. The result? Students leave sex ed lessons with a lot of questions they are too uncomfortable to ask.
For example, when we’re taught about contraception, the discussion rarely goes beyond “use condoms.” But what about all the other options, like birth control pills, IUDs, or the morning-after pill? What about understanding the menstrual cycle and how it relates to fertility? Or what to do when someone feels unsure about the right choices for their health? The current curriculum excludes much of this, leaving students to turn to unreliable sources like the internet, friends who may be equally misinformed, or parents who may not be trained to teach sex ed comfortably.
According to the IDEAS survey (197 students, 26% of the grade 7-12 student body), over 60% of students reported disagreeing that sex education at JFKS adequately covered topics like consent, healthy relationships, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Furthermore, only 20% of respondents felt comfortable to ask questions in their sex education classes. This is troubling, especially when nearly half of the surveyed students would rate sex ed at JFKS as mediocre, with only 2.7% describing it as excellent.
Despite these gaps, there are signs of progress. There are more open conversations happening among students, and some attempts at introducing topics like consent and respectful relationships. These discussions are important, but they’re often too brief and lack the depth needed to truly inform students. This is where student-led initiatives are filling the gap.
As the co-leader of the JFKS Feminist Initiative, I’ve had challenging conversations with fellow students—mostly girls—about what’s missing from our sex ed program. A common theme has emerged: while we’ve been taught the basics of sex, many of us still feel unclear about our reproductive health. There’s a real need for more information about topics like menstrual health, birth control options, and general gynecological care. Many of my peers have expressed that they don’t fully understand their bodies, and they don’t know where to turn for reliable answers.
That’s why we are taking action. In response to these conversations, the Feminist Initiative is organizing an event that we hope will begin to fill these gaps. We have invited a gynecologist to come to our school and speak directly to students about the topics that matter most to us. This isn’t just another lecture—it’s a chance for students to ask the questions they’ve been too embarrassed or unsure to bring up in a classroom setting. We want to create a space where students can learn about their bodies and their health in a way that feels supportive, informative, and nonjudgmental.
This event is just the beginning. It represents a step toward a more comprehensive approach to sex education—one that goes beyond the basics of preventing pregnancy and STIs. It’s about giving students the tools to make informed decisions about their bodies, to understand their rights, and to feel empowered in their relationships. We know there’s still a long way to go before our school’s sex ed program is where it needs to be, but we’re hopeful that with student initiatives like this, we can help to move the sex ed program in the right direction.
In the long run, we hope this event will spark more conversations, not just within the Feminist Initiative, but across the entire student body. We want to continue pushing for a more inclusive, thorough, and compassionate approach to sex education at our school—one that addresses the full spectrum of sexual health and relationships. We believe that every student deserves access to this kind of education, and we are committed to making it happen.
It is important to acknowledge that progress in this area is not just about one-time events. It is about creating a culture where students feel comfortable discussing their health, asking questions, and advocating for themselves while supporting one another. One of the IDEAS survey respondents wrote, “Mental health at JFKS is an evolving conversation that deserves constant attention, as it is intrinsically linked to our overall understanding of relationships and self-care.” We must engage in this “evolving conversation” even when it seems uncomfortable
There is no denying that our school’s sex ed program has its shortcomings. However, with every step we take—whether it’s organizing an event with a gynecologist, advocating for better lessons, or simply talking openly with our peers—we’re working toward a future where students are equipped with the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed decisions about their bodies and their lives. It’s a small step, but it’s an important one, and we’re excited to be part of the change.
