When elective scheduling feels oxymoronic

Picture this: you’re sitting in your kitchen, scrolling through Infinite Campus as you contemplate which classes to pick for your schedule for the following school year. After choosing your core classes, you have three slots left per semester, so you pick the level of physical education you want. With two slots left, you may take a Spanish class, knowing it looks good on college applications. Finally! You have one slot left to pick any elective that your heart desires, but you weren’t exposed to a large percentage of what this school has to offer, and the ever-tempting study hall steals your final spot and what’s left of your heart. This could describe the typical process of any new freshman or sophomore working on their schedule since the word “elective” rings hollow in the restricted world of scheduling.

Every student at West is aware of the day, once a year, where their teacher may stand in front of the board and flip through a slideshow of the classes students can take the following year. Although each department describes electives, they are limited to the classes within their subject. If a student has yet to try an art class, there’s a tiny chance that they will be exposed to the options they have when coming to West, and the cycle continues. When the time for scheduling comes around at our school, it is evident that academics are given much more publicity and emphasis than electives as a whole, including art. If West had teachers describe just a few electives, whether they are art, music, agriculture, culinary, and so on, students would have a better idea of the opportunities they have to be creative outside of their academics. It is inarguable that the “core classes” are pushed over art electives. This is understandable in the light of graduation requirements and applying for college, but because of this, art is pushed to the sidelines.

Not only are students missing out on exposure to the art electives at West, but they are also missing out on the atmosphere, family of teachers, creativity, and self-expression that can be attained when choosing an art elective. The art department is a wonderful part of West with charismatic and understanding teachers and many supportive peers to connect with. Taking an art elective can give students many social and hands-on skills that might not be found in the academic classes. Just taking a glance in the course guide, there are up to nine different types of art classes to take, not including further levels. From getting hands-on with ceramics or learning about computers with Adobe Photoshop, there is an in-depth description of each art class that is never exposed to students when it comes time to schedule. Unless a student is already familiar with art classes, it becomes harder to get involved with the plethora of electives as the school simply doesn’t give them the push they need, and deserve. Sure, there are the promotional videos (which sometimes are just a ‘bit’ dated), but that relies on homeroom teachers remembering to play them, and students being quiet and respectful enough to watch and listen.  So, unless you’re a senior, the next time you schedule for the following year, consider the possibilities outside of the required academic courses pushed at West. Delve instead into art courses that can unlock creativity you may not otherwise have discovered, before it’s too late.

Paige Helfrich

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue VI

March 25th, 2021