Should We Limit Electives for Freshmen?

Clarkstown High School North has various electives, but only a limited number of them are offered to freshmen. Is it that freshmen are not at the level to understand the concepts of these elective classes? Is it because freshmen are not mature enough to handle such fun in school? Or is it because freshmen are simply overlooked when it comes to their futures and choices? Let’s take a look at why restricting certain electives can become a problem. 

The graduating class of 2026, who are now freshmen in high school, are required to take an elective. They are given the basic choices of orchestra, band, a tech class, or an art class. A few examples of elective subjects that are only offered to those in higher grades are cooking, drama studies, and architecture. While some of these classes do require a prerequisite, making it understandable that they are not available to freshmen, other classes like gourmet cooking and photography do not require such prior courses. Logically, a freshman student is just as capable as a senior or junior to take an intro level photography class. So why are such classes still being withheld from freshmen?

Should freshmen have more electives offered to them? Well, having access to more choices as a freshman helps guide them to be more responsible and conscientious. They will start to develop an independent mind, boldly branching out into an area that they are truly passionate about, rather than having an outline of certain classes that confine them. Being able to have a broad array of elective choices as an underclassman will prepare and encourage freshmen to think more diligently about the academic decisions they are making and how they impact their future. 

Despite these reasons, it is arguable that putting too many courses on a freshman’s plate can be overwhelming. However, by restraining these students' abilities to work-harder, it only puts them at a disadvantage for real-life obstacles. Without these courses, it can hold students back from their full potential, confining them to a limited creative bubble. 

Ultimately, giving freshman students more opportunities to choose an elective will only benefit their education, not hurt it. The freshman class should have the same electives to choose from as grades of higher levels have.