For students at Scituate High School who struggle to find a quiet place to work during WIN Block, a new pilot program may provide a solution. The “Quiet Car” WIN Block space in the Gates Cafeteria provides SHS students with a completely silent study environment designed to help them stay focused and productive.
Between jobs, athletic practices, and everyday responsibilities, many students find it difficult to fully concentrate during WIN Block. The “Quiet Car” space is intended to provide a calm environment where students can use their time effectively and complete their work.
Recently added to MyFlex scheduling options, the “Quiet Car” will be available from 1:15 to 1:39 during WIN Block and will operate under strict guidelines to maintain a distraction-free environment. Inspired by the quiet cars on trains, the space will be completely silent, with no talking permitted. Headphones are permitted to help with concentration, meaning phones may be used quietly only for academic purposes. Doors close promptly at 1:15, and there’s a maximum capacity of 15 students, making it extremely selective. Once inside, students must remain within the cafeteria boundaries, and each student is given their own table as a large working space. This program is currently a pilot, meaning it is being tested to see the popularity among students and whether it proves to be beneficial or not.
The idea for the “Quiet Car” was promoted by SHS English teacher Catherine Hall, who has been advocating for a silent study space at SHS for years. According to Hall, since the introduction of WIN Block, there has never been a designated area where students could work in complete silence. Her frustration grew as she noticed students with packed schedules–balancing academics, sports, and jobs–who lacked the opportunity to use WIN Block productively. Hall explained that the “Quiet Car” was created to fill this “absence of opportunity” and provide students with 25 uninterrupted minutes to focus.
Gates Middle School Principal Ryan Beattie approved the pilot program and emphasized that the decision reflects a broader goal of collaboration across the school campus. Hall praised Beattie’s willingness to collaborate, describing him as an administrator who “brings people together and doesn’t shut doors.” The program creates a unique partnership between Scituate High School and Gates Middle School, as the Gates Cafeteria offers a physically separate space from the high school environment.
Hall explained that even a small number of participants would justify the space. “If we have two kids a day, that’s good enough for me,” she said. If successful, the “Quiet Car” could become a permanent option for students seeking focus, calm, and productivity during the school day.