Competition Culture at MHS: Motivating or Toxic? A Real, Relatable Conversation

By: London Peterson

Millburn High School is known for many things: state-recognized academics, award-winning extracurriculars, and a student body that strives for excellence. With that reputation comes something we all feel daily: competition.

From experience, it’s clear how motivated students are to succeed, and it is normalized that among the student body, over majority of MHS students have the PowerSchool app downloaded on their phones or at easy access. PowerSchool is the platform Millburn High School uses to release grades and GPAs for students. Many are even checking grades the second a new assignment is posted. It’s a small detail that speaks volumes. In Millburn, excellence isn’t just encouraged, it's part of the culture. Millburn’s prestigious academic reputation didn’t happen by accident. Students work hard, teachers push us to our highest potential, and the town invests heavily in education. Parents move here because they know Millburn opens doors and opportunities. For many students like myself, the competition is a positive force.

When talking to Sophomore Yana Mehta, I got some good insight. She says“… .it makes me personally want to thrive and work to the best of my potential, but sometimes it can be so academically draining.”

This drive fuels results: Honors and AP classes fill quickly, and clubs are packed with passionate students. Still, constantly striving for more can feel intense. Late nights studying. Overloaded schedules and comparing grades. In some conversations, it feels like anything less than perfection is a mistake.

“Your general surroundings can be a really significant external stressor, and in some cases,”shares a sophomore.“It can be good and bad depending on how you're able to manage and cope with it” (Yana Mehta, Grade 10)

But here’s the part that often gets overlooked: A little competition can bring out the best in us. Other students agree that the pressure helps them stay focused, work towards what they’re capable of.

And as overwhelming as the culture can feel at times, students also recognize the long-term payoff. Competition at MHS isn’t perfect, but it’s powerful because it fuels ambition. And builds resilience. It prepares students like me for the intensity of the real world, and importantly, it reminds us that we’re surrounded by peers who are just as driven, talented, and passionate. Maybe the real story isn’t whether Millburn’s culture is motivating or toxic, but how we can continue to push each other while remembering that success doesn’t look the same for everyone.

Because at the end of the day, Millburn’s greatest strength isn’t the pressure, it's the people who rise to meet it.