Every student in the school has something in common; they are all required to take curtain classes to graduate. However, after adjustments were made to the graduation requirements in the state this year, beginning application with the class of 2029, students will have much more flexibility with the classes they choose to take. Some notable classes that students may choose not to take are Geometry, Algebra II and World History. With these classes no longer being required for graduation, students and teachers alike have expressed both concern and optimism over the possible loss of a complete education and a more flexible curriculum respectively. 

Geometry  

Geometry is often praised for its application to engineering and the real-world. However, now that it is no longer a class requirement, students may miss the opportunity to ignite an interest in this field. 

“Being the study of shapes and measurements,” Geometry teacher Keaton Squires said, “geometry is one of the more applicable math classes high schoolers can take. Whether you are building something or not, it’s usual to understand the possibilities in measurements of your environment.” 

Students also seem to recognize the class’s application outside of school. 

“Future students that want to go into the heavier geometry-based professions would be missing out if they chose not to take geometry because it would help introduce them to what they want to do later in life,” sophomore Aislin James, who has taken Honors Geometry, said.  

However, for students who are not interested in a career in engineering, not being required to take Geometry could give them an opportunity to take a different class that they are more interested in. 

“I didn’t really see the point in taking geometry because I knew it wouldn’t be useful to me in the future,” James said, “I would only really recommend this class to someone who has an interest in it.”  

Algebra II 

Algebra II is different from Geometry, in the sense that it is a necessary class to take if a student looks to take higher level math classes or attend college. 

“Students planning to attend college will still take Algebra II,” Algebra II teacher Mary Carson said “as most college degrees require some form of math. For instance, both IU and Purdue require students to have completed Pre-Calculus.” 

Additionally, students who have taken the class seem to appreciate the class as an indication of what they may want to do after high school. 

“If a student goes into [Algebra II], does great and the learning goes smoothly,” junior Jack Borzymowski, who has taken Algebra II, said “then I would judge a math related future is in store for them. On the contrary if a student starts struggling like never before, then it might be a sign that the student has reached the cutoff for math classes.” 

Although many fields require some sort of mathematics, there are some who may choose a different post-secondary avenue, which is why some teachers view these new requirements as beneficial for the flexibility of the school’s curriculum.
“In the last decade,” Carson said “we’ve recognized that the job market is evolving, and schools need to prepare students for more than just college. This approach specifically addresses students who do not intend to pursue a four-year college degree. It allows them to tailor their high school curriculum with the best set of classes to prepare for their future careers.” 

World History 

World History, unlike the other two classes, is not a math class that is directly applicable to a career field, other than a history teacher or historian. Due to this fact, the class could see the largest drop in enrollment. However, it still trains various skills that can be applied outside of the class. 

“Here at HSE,” world history teacher Annie Pucillo said “the Social Studies department has worked hard to use the content of World History to teach students valuable skills, such as understanding primary and secondary documents, making connections across time periods and regions, analyzing political cartoons, evidence-based writing, critical thinking, and more.” 

Students express similar satisfaction with the class and what it teaches you. 

“I think students will be missing out on a simple introduction to modern history,” junior Jonah Ragsdale, who has taken AP World History, said “which could hurt if you don’t know what has failed in the past.” 

Although World History is no longer required for students to take, that does not mean the class will be cut from the school’s curriculum, just like every other class removed from the graduation requirement. These classes have shown to enrich their students with knowledge within their subject area, and student will more than likely continue to seek out that knowledge. 

“I do believe that most of the students at HSE will continue to take World History because that class has proven to be successful,” Pucillo said, “HSE students are some of the best because of the classes HSE offers.”