Revere High School (RHS) has introduced multiple new elective and academic courses and has made some scheduling changes for the 2017-2018 school year.

RHS Guidance Counselor Jenny Kirchner explained which changes will be made.

“There are more elective, experiential classes. Additions [include] Robotics 2 [and] Civil Engineering. In art, the teachers added Cartooning [and] Water Coloring. They [are] one-trimester classes, so if someone needs to fill a spot on their schedule, they can experience a cool class. We also added AP Psychology, which [Ellen] Friery will teach. We also added College Credit Plus [CCP] Courses in-house in English and Social Studies and Science. Students can take advantage of CCP and not have to leave our building. CCP is state-oriented to give students options, and we want to give students options as well,” Kirchner said.

Kirchner also elaborated on how staff members at RHS help propose such changes based on what inspires them.

“The staff is encouraged to propose new courses based on their passions about learning. Mr. Silvestri is really passionate about his STEM classes, and Ms. Friery is passionate about psychology. Mr. King does a great job of getting people to branch out,” Kirchner said.

In the 2018-2019 school year, Government, which is currently a senior-only class, will become a junior-only class; AP United States History (APUSH), a junior-only class, will thus become a senior-only class. RHS AP United States History teacher Jeff Fry explained how this transition, which has already been made widely across the state, will work during the 2017-2018 school year.

“AP United States History will remain an elective course at RHS, but it will be less accessible to juniors due to the Government requirement.  Students may take the course as juniors or seniors.  The number of students taking the course in 2017-18 will most likely be greatly reduced,” Fry said.

Fry explained that the decision for this switch was made at the administration level with input from the Social Studies department. He also elaborated on changes made in history classes.

“Students taking end of course exams must graduate with a minimum number of points, some of which may be earned from the Government class. If the Government end of course exam is taken in May, much like the AP Exam, scores will not be accessible prior to graduation. Thus, moving the course to 11th grade will allow students to earn and utilize points from Government to apply toward graduation. The problem really relates to students taking Government in the 2nd or 3rd trimester, since the end of course exam would be taken in May,” Fry said.

Fry could not comment upon which classes he or his colleagues will teach next year, as teachers will not know exactly which classes they will teach until after 8th graders have registered for their classes and the guidance staff has decided which courses will be necessary.