As the first semester comes to a close, Schreiber students and faculty have begun the course selection process for next year. With the new year come significant changes to the timeline, offerings, and class tracks.
As many students have noticed, class selection has been moved earlier in the year than in previous years, largely due to an effort to better align the process with the district’s budget cycle.
“Dr. Passi encouraged us to move the process up so that there is course-request driven budgeting. Rather than having a set budget and then figuring out the courses, we will try to use the course requests to drive the budget. This will absolutely benefit the students — students will have greater chances of getting the courses they want,” said Director of Guidance Mr. Justin Arini.
To accommodate this shift, several temporary adjustments have been made to the course selection process. For this year only, guidance counselors have been meeting with students in their English classes in order to share and gather information about course offerings.
According to Mr. Arini, this will yield the same outcome as any other year, since much of the information doesn’t require individualized discussion. However, counselors are still available to meet with students one-on-one to address personal questions, concerns, or specific scheduling requests.
During these meetings, students have learned about several new course opportunities. One major addition is AP Seminar, which is notably the first AP open to all grade levels, including freshmen. AP Seminar, along with AP Research, which is not yet offered, make up the AP Capstone program, a diploma or certificate focused on research, analysis, and communication skills.
This class is not meant to compete with Schreiber’s existing research programs, but rather to provide an option for students who want to build research skills without committing to a multi-year research track.
“We believe that every student at Schreiber benefits from understanding how to conduct research and inquiry, how to review journals, and how to cite properly. These are fundamental concepts of academics, whether you’re in high school and especially in college. I really think this will expand opportunities for all students,” said Mr. Arini.
Schreiber is also introducing multiple new “on-ramps” — courses designed to expand access to higher level classes for students who have not always been on the most accelerated track.
One such course is Algebra II/Precalculus, intended for students who were not on the accelerated track in middle school but still want the opportunity to reach advanced math courses. Typically taken during a student’s junior year, this course condenses multiple years of content into one, allowing students to move on to the new Precalculus/AP Calculus AB class afterwards. As a result, decisions made in middle school will no longer limit access to AP math courses in senior year.
The math department is also introducing Foundations of Geometry, a support course for students who struggled in Algebra I and need additional help transitioning to geometry. Topics in Precalculus and Differentials in Calculus will be offered as a dual enrollment course, allowing students to earn college credit while taking on increased academic rigor.
Several new electives are being added as well. The technology department will introduce Computer Based Woodworking and 3D Printing and Design, while the Social Studies Department will offer Advanced Podcasting and Media Production.
“We’re making some good moves. Dr. Behr and I agree that students will see expanded access and opportunities. Every student in our school deserves the chance to be challenged and take classes they enjoy, whether it is a foundations course, an on-ramp, or the highest level AP class. We want to dismantle all of the barriers that prevent students from accessing what they need to,” said Mr. Arini
Schreiber is not the only school in the district experiencing changes to course offerings. Just a few hundred feet down Campus Drive, Weber Middle School is planning to eliminate Latin from its foreign language department. With this year marking the final year before the program’s sole Latin teacher, Mr. Arthur Cooke, retires. With enrollment steadily declining, the district has decided to discontinue the course.
Despite these changes at Weber, Schreiber has no plans of changing the Latin program here other than to accommodate incoming freshmen who haven’t had the opportunity to learn. Currently, Schreiber offers approximately one section of Latin per grade level, with varying rigor options to support the program’s small but diverse student population.
“The languages at Schreiber go through cycles of being more popular and less popular, and Latin is just in a lull right now. Latin is the basis, the foundation, especially in a time where literacy is so important yet literacy rates are declining. It’s essential to know root words and parts of speech and various things that Latin can teach to help students succeed,” said Schreiber World Language Department Chair Ms. Carol Ferrante.
Many supporters argue that Latin is particularly valuable for students who are more mathematically inclined, as it allows them to approach a language in a structured, analytical way.
In response to Weber’s decision, Schreiber students have begun advocating to preserve Latin at the middle school by creating a presentation for the Board of Education and recording videos sharing their experiences with the language. Some students are also planning to attend the Board of Education meeting in February.
“Latin has provided a very stable learning environment, an advanced understanding of grammar and comprehension, and support with APs and ACT/SAT preparation,” said senior Bella Ertel, an active member of the Latin Club.