by Collin Kelly ‘17
This year, big changes were made to the school’s curriculum. The changes affect a wide variety of subjects and every grade in the school.
One big change occurred in the physical education department. For physical education class, one semester accounts for one quarter of a credit, while, in all other courses, one semester accounts for half of a credit. Principal Bradesca, Vice Principal Gavin, and the curriculum board changed the structure of the physical education curriculum in order to meet state requirements. “In order to get half of a credit, the state minimum, you have to complete two semesters. So to satisfy the state requirements, we brought it back to freshman year and kept it at sophmore year,” Mr. Gavin said. But don’t worry, those who have already endured a semester of physical education with Mr. Michals won’t have to take physical education again. According to Mr. Gavin, “It is just going to affect sophomores and juniors. We are still weighing different options. Every kid is not going to have to take another P.E. class.”
Another change to the curriculum involves the fine arts department. Oral Interpretation will now be a junior course. Although the class was a freshman year staple, this change was made with the intent to make the course more comfortable and enjoyable for students. They will be more comfortable speaking in front of classmates who they have gotten to know over two years here.
Also, next year Environmental Science will be coming to Ignatius next year. The course will be available as fourth year option to seniors who would like to take a fourth year of science.
St. Ignatius has also been approved to begin an AP Capstone program, a major achievement for the school. The school was only one of eight schools in the state to be approved this year. The administration is looking into beginning this program in the upcoming school year. “The idea behind AP Capstone is two courses: One year of AP Seminar and one year of AP Research. It is a cross-curricular, collaborative course that can be paired with other AP courses. You do group work and you have to present and defend ideas,” Mr. Gavin noted.
Many of these changes will be implemented into the curriculum in the next few years. Keep an eye out for them while filling out your course request sheets this fall.
