Everyone knows the core five — Math, Science, English, History, and Language — but if students were the teachers, the subject lineup would significantly change.
Many students, if they could, would substitute Math or English with a class they know they would love. Williston, however, only offers a specific selection of elective and main courses, and cannot, of course, accommodate every interest of each individual student. Still, it does not mean that Williston cannot add to their selection, or consider some of these student-inspired subjects.
Education has focused on these main subjects — Math, Science, English, History, and Language — for centuries. With time, “elective” courses have gained traction, a small educational evolution that has only made way for more creativity. At Williston, students are required to receive a certain number of credits in each subject, a collegiate reality that potentially limits the amount of electives a single student can take. So, if students had the privilege to add a new subject in school, it is interesting to see what students would create.
From “how to solve a Rubik’s Cube class” posed by Olivia Ferebee, a senior boarder, to a “cooking class” mentioned by Francesca Gionfriddo, a junior boarder, the ideas are certainly creative. Even from a teacher perspective, English teacher Sarah Levine suggested a “napping class,” which is safe to say many students would support. More student ideas are listed as follows:
Morgan Dulude: “A student-athlete mental health class.”
Mei Gazama: “A Pilates class.”
Clara d’Amuri: “A time management class.”
Alice Brashares: “A fashion design class.”
Tate Cowperthwait: “A how to play basketball class.”
Rylan Shibley: “A class about the study of movement.”
Brendan Capshaw: “A carpentry class” or “A Lego-themed architecture class.” Williston does offer an architecture class.
Annika Song “A class about preparing to be an adult … like taxes.”
Riley McDonald: “A car repair class.”
Jack Mettey: “A mock trial class.”
The 8th grade at Williston holds a mock trial every year in Mr. Syfu’s civics class and Easthampton High holds a “We The People” event every year as well, and has won the National Championship.
Chloe Raker: “A cosmetology class.”
Addie Eakin: “A class promoting body positivity and the effect of social media on girls.”
Kim Polin, Williston’s Dean of Academics, claims that adding a course at Williston is “very feasible” and that the Academic Standards committee, with Polin as the chairperson, adds “new or changed courses almost every year!” She, years ago, proposed an elective course on Video Game Programming, which math teacher Jessi Johnson currently teaches.
Polin explains that in order to add a class or elective it must be “philosophically appropriate topic for a high school education” and must support the “education goals of the school.” Though this could be limiting for some of the more “fun” ideas, Polin emphasizes that Williston Scholars exists so that “students can execute a project based on their unique interests.”
