You get your subject selection sheet, you look for the classes you like, but you don’t find any. Now you start to think, “Why don’t they have this class or that class.” Some MHS students wish MH’s curriculum offered different classes.

Senior Brandon Chappoten would have included Intro to Engineering because he says, “People can see if they’re interested and learn about it and maybe even consider it as their career.”

Senior Brenda Sanchez misses not having a real driver’s ed class, one where you actually learn how to drive, not a virtual one.

Senior Maykel Torrez would like to see some type of stress relief class. “One where we can have time to relax and take a break from our other stressful classes,” he said.

Seniors Michael Acosta and Adrian Perez both would like a class about adult life, to teach students how to open bank accounts and pay taxes.

Senior Lourdes Aguila recommends a general dance class, where students can have fun and learn how to dance.

Adding a class to the curriculum

   Assistant principal for curriculum Ms. Leal says that to add a class to the curriculum, she has to speak to the department chairs. “In November, I speak to them, who then speak to the teachers in their departments, who then say what classes should be added or removed from the curriculum,” she said.

Recently added classes include AP Human Geography for sophomores, a college prep class for the college application process for seniors, and a Dual Enrollment class called Freshman Experience for seniors, which is mandatory in college. For next year, there are currently no classes in the process of being added.

Classes don’t only get added though, Ms. Leal said, “We drop classes if students don’t pick the class. If a class doesn’t get enough students, we remove it.”

For a class to be in the curriculum, the class needs to be able to benefit the students in some way. All classes in the school benefit students, some teach you a new language, others teach you how to better write the language you already know. So how would students’ suggestions for new classes benefit them?

Why students would like new classes

Brandon Chapoten believes that an Intro to Engineering class could be popular with students. “If they are interested in a future in engineering, they could take this class, or it could be for people who are undecided and need options to explore,” he said.

Brenda Sanchez believes a driver’s ed class would show students how to properly drive. “The class should show the students how to follow driving laws and get them ready to take the test for their license,” she said.

A stress relief class, according to Maykel Torrez, should be all about “getting students’ minds off their classes and relaxing for once.”

Michael Acosta believes that students should know what comes in adult life, such as how to do their taxes and apply for credit cards. Adrian Perez adds, “This class should prepare students for life after high school and college, giving students information that they won’t need to learn the hard way.”

According to Lourdes Aguila, a dance class would appeal to different kinds of students. “It could be for the student who wants to learn how to dance or for those who already enjoy dancing. Students should come with the idea of wanting to learn how to dance and have fun while doing it.”

Imagine Subject Selection Forms with these classes:

Student Signature:                                                      Parent Signature:                                                 Date:  _________________