More than half of Nation Ford High School students hold part-time jobs, according to a student newspaper survey that also linked the work to lower grades.
The Talon, Nation Ford's student newspaper, reported Monday, Sept. 14, that 51.9% of students at the Fort Mill school work part-time. Reporter Lilyn Deardorff surveyed students in September and found they are taking jobs to cover gas, insurance and college savings.
That rate outpaces the national picture. Only 35.5% of U.S. teens ages 16 to 19 held a paying job for at least part of summer 2026, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of federal employment data published Aug. 19. As recently as 2000, more than half of teens nationally worked during the summer. At Nation Ford, that level of employment appears to be the norm year-round.
The survey also found that 39.4% of Nation Ford students said it was difficult to find a job.
Junior Ava Desai told The Talon that employers are "really picky with who they choose." Desai, who does work, described the academic strain. She said she is too tired after early school mornings and evening shifts to finish homework, and that her grades have dropped as a result.
The College Board warns that students who work more than 15 to 20 hours per week often experience decreased school success, which can lead to dropping out entirely. The organization also notes that long hours can limit friendships and extracurricular exploration.
The Talon's survey did not specify how many hours per week Nation Ford's working students log, so it is unclear how many fall into that at-risk range.
Not every student sees downsides. Junior Elena Traverse told The Talon that her job helped her meet new friends and improve her social skills both in and outside school. The College Board acknowledges that part-time work can build confidence, time-management skills and real-world experience.
Nation Ford High enrolls 1,921 students in grades 9 through 12 in the Fort Mill School District. The Talon did not publish its survey's sample size or methodology.
