The class of 2017 and beyond will have more opportunities to create a school schedule that fits their interests and future career goals. In addition to the new graduation requirements for the class of 2017 and beyond to gain three Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) credits, Freedom is also adding more schedule flexibility to all students in high school.

By adding this requirement, Freedom has allowed students to take more classes within their field of interest. This will prepare them more for what kind of classes they will be taking in college and for the career path that they will be pursuing. It has been shown that STEM-related work prepares and inspires students to strive for innovation and success in the world, leading to the addition of this STEM requirement here at FHS.

With only three courses for Math, Social Studies and Science being required, any Math or Science class taken after receiving the three credits will be counted as a STEM course. Besides Math and Science classes, Technology courses such as Fortune 500, App Land, Robotics, Print Media Workshop, Computer Assisted Design (CAD), Computer Gaming Studio, Accounting/Business Math, Multimedia with Marketing, Broadcast Media Workshop and all programs from the Beaver County Career and Technical Center (BCCTC) will also count as credits within the STEM requirement.

Another graduation requirement that has been changed is the need to take two courses of Arts/Humanities throughout the four years in high school instead of taking a World Language or computer class. All Spanish and Art classes, Chorus, Band or Band Units, Woodworking, Print Media Workshop, Integrated Performing Arts, AP Psychology, Broadcast Media Workshop, formerly known as Music Television with Imagery, and Home Repair also count as courses for Arts/Humanities.

“My biggest relief in the graduation requirement changing was removing World Language because that was tough for a lot of students,” Guidance Counselor Chris Bennett said. “And same with making Chemistry and Physics mandatory; it was difficult for a lot of students to work into their schedule because some were interested in taking other classes.”

Both one year of Chemistry and one year of Physics is no longer required for 2017 graduates and beyond. Instead, students are to be taking electives or STEM classes to replace that space.

With Communications being brought back after a one-year hiatus, the class of 2018 was the first to have this course mandatory again, along with five other electives. For the class of 2017, six elective credits are required to graduate instead five with one year of Communications. They were not offered this class; however, a CCBC Public Speaking class will be available for them to take their senior year, which is very similar to a Communications class, but on a harder level since it is a college course. Public Speaking is only available during the second semester, and CCBC American Literature is a prerequisite for it which is to be taken during the first semester.

A few classes have been added, updated and changed for the next school year. Robotics II is one of the classes that is being added to the science and technology courses available. It is currently a club and class, but a second year of it will be available to be taken by any student who took the first year of Robotics. Also, AP Chemistry is being added for anyone interested in expanding their science education. Accounting/Business Math and CAD are two more courses that Freedom will be teaching in the upcoming year.

Not only have classes been added, but some have been removed from Freedom. Web Design, Intro to Accounting, Integrated Entrepreneurship and Intro to Business are the classes that are no longer being offered.

With all the new changes being made to Freedom, FHS is looking to improve the school and its students’ education by preparing them for the world and rigorous workforce.