Next year’s course catalog is not just a list of classes. For many students, it feels like a preview of their future. With new options ranging from business and leadership to athletic training and advanced math, students are starting to see school less as a set path and more as a series of choices.
Freshman Zoe Cohen said, “Next year, I’m really looking into taking Entrepreneurship because I’ve seen all the projects they do, and I think it would be fun to try. I’m also interested in AI in Practice because I think understanding technology is important, no matter what career you go into. I’m still figuring out the rest of my schedule, but those are the main ones I want.” She is especially drawn to courses that feel hands-on: “Maybe like the Off-Campus Immersion class or Leadership, or something like that. I like the idea of hands-on activities instead of sitting in a classroom, and I think it would be some of the more interesting classes to take.”
Not every course appeals to Cohen, however. She said, “I’m not really interested in the Sustainability class and the Better by Design: Rethinking Upper School Spaces and Time. They just don’t sound very interesting to me, and I don’t think I would be happy in those classes. I know it’s great for people who are already interested in those topics, but it’s not really what I would prefer.” Cohen believes the new offerings are a step forward. “I think it’s definitely an improvement. It feels like the school is trying to make learning more connected to real life, especially with classes like Entrepreneurship and AI in Practice. Yeah, I think they’re needed because everyone has different interests. Having more options makes school feel less repetitive and more personalized.”
Junior Anju Green is approaching next year with a focus on her interests in health and sports science. “I’m sort of interested in AP Statistics, but I am kind of unsure about it because I don’t want to go overboard on my schedule. Otherwise, I don’t know what other new courses I plan to take next year since I don’t know how many more electives I can add to my schedule.” She is most drawn to classes that connect with her Challenge Project. “Athletic Training and Intro to Sports Medicine stand out the most to me because my Challenge Project is a concentration in Sports Medicine. These classes feel like they would build on what I’ve already learned in a hands-on way.”
Some courses do not align with Anju’s goals. “Entrepreneurship sounds interesting, but it’s just not related to what I want to pursue. I’m more focused on health and sports science. I also don’t really understand why there is a course about AI, but overall, I just think they’re not for me.” She would like to see more health-focused options: “I would love to see more health science classes, maybe something focused on physical therapy or sports psychology, or maybe even an AP Psychology class. I think there’s a lot of interest in those areas.” Overall, she sees the school moving in a positive direction: “I do think it’s an improvement, especially because the experiential courses seem more hands-on. It feels like the school is trying to prepare students for actual careers instead of just traditional classes. Yes, I think they’re needed. Not every student wants to take the same path, so having options in business, sustainability, athletics, and advanced academics makes it more balanced.”
Although their interests differ, both students agree that the new courses represent a shift toward preparing students for the future. With more hands-on experiences and a wider range of options, next year’s catalog allows students to shape their schedules and their futures around what truly interests them.
