Classes are what shapes students’ futures and lead to their future careers with the help of school counselors. So, it comes as a surprise when there are classes hidden away from the eyes of students. Hidden classes are scattered everywhere in Benson, many of which are being introduced this year, like Sociology, Anthropology and Pharm Tech.
One of those being the new AP Comparative Government class taught by Joshua Jablonski that seniors can take second semester for free college credit. It is a class that unfortunately does not have many students signing up for due to scheduling conflicts with it landing on a block; seniors have a required credit needed to graduate.
“It is unfortunate students are denied taking the class to earn free college credit,” said Jablonski.
Recruitment had started but unfortunately many of the students that were interested were unable to add it to their schedules.
“Students who are interested aren’t able to take that class due to required classes taking up that block,” Jablonski said. “I can’t build the program up and students can’t get that free college credit due to it.”
Recruitment did not come fully empty-handed. There have been seven seniors who were able to take the class for next semester.
“Jablonski told us about it and said that we can also take it for dual enrollment,” said senior Alma Quinonez.
Despite telling students about the free college credits, not a lot of students showed interest.
“I think a lot of people didn’t want to take another history class after the first semester,” said Quinonez. “Even so, it still comes to a shock hearing how small the class is despite knowing that fact.”
With most hidden classes being senior only, a lot of the lower grades are unable to get an opportunity to take those classes until the later years and causes the issue of smaller rosters.
“I feel like depending on the classes it could be a good thing or a bad thing,” said sophomore Ronal Sierra. “It would be a nice option to allow people who aren’t seniors to experience some of the classes so they can have more experience, and it not solely be a single year thing.”
New classes continue to be added each year without the students’ knowledge until either a teacher does recruitment, or it is too late to make schedule changes.
“It feels a bit confusing. You should get the choice to see the classes that are being added, especially if there are students who do not have any idea on what career they would like to pursue,” said Sierra. “Some of the hidden classes should have details of what they have instead of being not know in the school until you get to a certain point where it’s too late.”
