Change Brings Dynamic New Classes to the Academy
When students were brought into the theater for their yearly class selection assembly last spring, there were talks about new classes and a new schedule. When we were introduced to many new classes and changes to all the educational departments, there was shock and confusion among students and teachers. So as the Academy opened its doors again on September 6, we saw how this new schedule affects all students alike.
There are over 25 new classes spread out into six different elective options: business, engineering, digital media, technology, performing arts and fine arts.
Business and technology have improved drastically, adding four new classes each, creating more options for students who might have not connected with the standard computer science classes in the old curriculum.
Furthermore, engineering, digital media and performing arts all became a part of the curriculum to give more leeway to students who are interested in these areas, as opposed to taking the period zero classes that were held previously.
Finally, the addition of fine arts gives students, interested in putting their creative talents to use, a more structured class.
As a senior, I have seen the schedule change in many different ways. Thinking back as a freshman, there was a standard schedule, where we had every class every day and the class times would just switch. During sophomore and junior years, we had an updated version of that schedule, with the biggest difference being that certain classes would cycle in with others.
Now we have a more dynamic schedule, one filled with flex periods, varying times for periods, and more days in the cycle.
When I heard about this schedule for the first time, I was enthusiastic because there are more opportunities to take classes that interest me. Both the digital media and the business and technology disciplines had many different courses that I looked forward to taking, including Broadcast Journalism, Bloomberg Certification and Digital Marketing Strategies.
With all these new classes, we see so much improvement and growth for every type of Academy student. Underclassmen now have a variety of courses they can choose from, allowing them to pique interests early, while upperclassmen can get better prepared for what they may study in college.
