Starting in middle school, students are given the choice of which classes they want to take the following year. At the cores of most schedules are four main classes – English, math, social studies and science – leaving electives to fill the rest. In high school, traditional electives are just the beginning. Students also have the opportunity to explore career academies or even earn college credit by taking classes at Metro Community College. These options provide students with unique pathways to explore interests and start shaping their academic and career journeys early on.
High school elective courses are classes that students can simply choose to take in addition to the required core subjects. These courses allow students to explore personal interests, develop new skills. Electives can cover a wide range of subjects, including art, music, foreign languages, technology, physical education, and even career-focused topics such as business or health care. Taking electives can help students discover their passions and prepare for future college or career paths. Guidance counselor Mr. Kyle Kruse said those offerings are shaped by enrollment numbers. “It’s a lot on the students and what they are wanting,” Kruse said. “I would say – especially when we’re kind of looking at, ‘Do we want to continue this elective?’ – it definitely is the number of students that are signing up for it.” This in mind centers on the point of students being key drivers in shaping the curriculum.
Not to be confused with Advanced Placement classes, which also can provide college credit through dual enrollment or high scores on national tests, the Metro Jump Start Career Academy provides focus on intricate subjects in which students might want to eventually pursue a degree. Senior Eliana Cook chose to go into cinematography at Metro this year. “I was originally going to do the architecture one,” Cook said. “But then we got a sheet that had all of [the options listed], … I was like, you know what, might as well do this one, because it’s cool and I’ve always wanted to do that.”
Cook starts her day at Papio South but then drives out to the Metro campus and attends classes there. “We just did a live video broadcast, and that’s so cool,” Cook explained. “Kind of like SNL, you switch back and forth between the cameras.” Being able to put it all together was Cook’s favorite part.
Academies are made for specific pathways that include real-world experiences, such as Zoo Academy, where students work alongside professionals at Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, or Health Academy, where students gain medical training at CHI Health Midlands hospital. Another example, which takes place at the school, is Athletic Training Academy, which prepares students to serve the physical needs of athletes from the sidelines or in the training room. “It’s a really good time,” senior Caden Nimmo said. “First year you have a class, and then afterwards you get to go to the training room and learn how to tape and do all the wraps and rehab.” Along with others in the academy for multiple years, Nimmo implements his learning on the field.
“We work a ton of games outside of the academy so you can get your hours in, which is most of your grade,” Nimmo said. “And you get to go to football games and visit injuries.” What Nimmo loves most is the ability to get out there and be active, even in an academic setting.
