13 years. 2,340 days. 15,210 hours.
As someone who has been through the New Jersey school system for the past 13 years, I feel like somewhat of an expert on school. I’ve had my share of great teachers and less-than-great ones, A+’s and a few failures along the way. However, now that I am on the brink of being a high school graduate, I’m looking back at what was good and what was in need of some improvement.
Here’s one thing I’ve realized: high schools have been lacking the necessary ingredients for creating an exceptional student.\
It isn’t the teachers or the students, or even the environment that affects the student negatively, but the problems are the subjects that matter for the student.
Students are constantly thinking about their future and what awaits for them. And for those who know where they’re headed already, now’s the time to act.
What direction is senior Jimmy Austin headed? He wants to be a welder.
“I wish that a course was offered on how to become a welder,” he said. “I know that without experience, though, I’m at a disadvantage.”
Sergiy Dovgopol, a senior Advanced Placement student, is interested in pursing computers.
“I would really like some type of computer coding class,” he said. “The problem is all of our computer classes are art-related and college prep. I would like an honors or A.P. coding class to help me for a future career.”
Not all students have their future plans mapped out, though, such as senior Nina Cavallaro.
“I wish that a class was there that helped me decide on a career I want and how to plan for my future,” she said.
Faculty members agree that offering more career-specific courses would benefit the student body as much as classes that are based on the core curriculum.

“I absolutely think that students would be happier with a broader selection of classes to chose from,” said history and sociology teacher Mr. Dan O’Malley.

“More exposure will benefit students better than wasting time and money during college when someone can’t figure out what they would like to do for the rest of their life.”

Adding a new course to the list of offerings involves more steps than one might think.

Mr. Brad Groatman, who teaches the 3D Character Animation elective since 2011, actively worked to get the class.

“In order to get a class such as this created, you must first sit down and get organized,” he said. “First, you write the curriculum. Then, you go through the ‘chain of command’ and offer your idea. You must explain the curriculum, explain it’s purpose and it’s practical application, explain it’s usefulness and how it can progress the students knowledge, and how that knowledge that is learned can be useful in real life.”

There are some factors that contribute to whether or not courses are offered. Student interest must be there to justify the class, along with whether or not any current teachers have expertise in that area. If interest is high, money must be available to hire a teacher.

In the meantime, VHS class are offered, but as most students know, you learn more with an actual teacher. I believe that with more classes that go more in depth into a specific field that students will, in the long run, become more successful and discover what they really want to do in life.