Grant Community High School has shown excitement around the increase in AP and dual credit enrollment this school year. Although it’s great that the advanced classes are increasing participation, the registration for art electives has fallen in registration, which changed the perspective on how people think about electives.
American for the Arts explains how the arts are essential because people can learn many important lessons through the arts. “The arts teach students innumerable lessons. Practice makes perfect, small differences can have large effects, and collaboration leads to creativity.” Most art classes are decreasing due to low enrollment and tight schedule spots. However, AP and dual-credit classes have newly shown higher registration. The AP Central – College Board explains why students want to take these classes and how it may benefit their future, “AP students learn essential time management and study skills needed for college and career success; they dig deeper into subjects that interest them and learn to tap their creativity and problem-solving skills to address course challenges.”
Many teachers, as well as students, have opinions about how the high AP registration is beneficial for students, but the regrettable news is the arts are falling behind in enrollment, as history teacher Mr. Robinson explains, “I think it’s good that students are stepping up to the challenge of taking more rigorous classes like AP and dual credit courses because it can open up many opportunities for their future. However, I wish the AP classes would have less of an impact on the unfortunate drop in the art elective enrollment.” Junior Cayden Zeller explains how she is glad students want to get ahead by taking these college-level classes. However, she describes how important art classes are and how upsetting it is that students aren’t taking as many fun electives to get a fun break during the day. “I think it is great that students want to get a head start to their future life, and that they are motivated to take the higher level classes; Sadly, the higher level classes are taking over the classes where people can express themselves because it’s important to be able to get a break to do something fun throughout the day.”. Choir Director Ms. Koske shows how she is glad AP and dual credit numbers are up, but sad that other classes are declining due to limited schedule spots and admission for other electives. “Not having enough students registered for music and art courses is disappointing, and it’s great that students who are determined to succeed are up to the challenge of AP and dual credit classes [however], I’m hopeful we will be able to make a recovery for art courses soon.”
While it’s upsetting that art class registration is decreasing, Ms. Koske mentioned the arts are planning to recover in the coming years and maintain steady participation. As exciting as it is that the arts are making a comeback soon, it’s also great that AP students have the confidence to take many rigorous classes for their future, despite the lack of enrollment in the current art classes.
