According to Vocabulary.com, an elective in education is “something that’s…optional — you can choose to do it, or not. An elective course in school is one you take because you want to rather than to fill a particular requirement.”
In high school, electives give students an opportunity to explore other careers and what they may want to achieve after high school. Elective classes reveal the skills of students that you might not see in other classes; it also gives people an opportunity to meet other students with the same likes and dislikes. They also go towards your high school credits to graduate or something to put on your college resume.
In addition, electives give students a break during the nine period day. It gives them a chance to relax and work on something they are maybe interested in.
“Electives give me a sense of freedom when I pick and choose my classes,” said Norwin sophomore Aislin Maizer. “Sure, I’m able to pick what kind of direction my main courses go, but electives are, in my opinion, a representation of your interests. I like to do any kind of art, so I like taking electives like Clay, 3d Art, drawing and painting, and digital drawing and painting. They also tend to make me look forward to going to school for those classes.”
Elective classes at Norwin High School are a major part of the required classes to graduate. Norwin requires 5.0 ELECTIVE credits to graduate according to the Norwin Guidance website.
Sometimes people question the value of electives over the core classes. Some students find electives to be their favorite classes of the day and others believe the core classes are the most important ones.
“They [elective classes] will help me very much in high school,” said sophomore Julia Choby, “to have fun in my classes and give me a break from my cores and to provide even more elaborated education.”
Electives give students a chance to explore a new career path. According to edutopia.org, researcher Robert Marzano says elective “choice has also been linked to increase in student effort, task performance, and subsequent learning.”
In addition, some students find more interest in electives and tend to focus more on electives than the core classes.
“Many electives specialize in specific areas that often pertain to specific career paths giving students more insight into what they may wish to do in the future,” said art teacher Mrs. Anders. “They also more naturally encourage creative thinking, socialization, critical thinking, and being able to take constructive criticism, which is sometimes hard for students to hear.”
According to a recent journalism poll, 71 percent of Norwin students think elective classes will have an effect on their careers and 15 percent don’t think they will have an effect after high school. 
“I am a creative person and find that art can be relaxing during a stressful day and can be used as a break from educational classes,” said senior Brianna Weaver in a journalism poll. “I find that when I write I get a lot of stress off my chest as well.”
Furthermore, electives can be a relaxing part of the seven hour school day.
“Norwin should increase the number of electives to provide more choices for students,” said family & consumer science teacher Mrs. Greene. “Norwin should also increase the number of teachers, so classes can be smaller and students can get the help they need. In today’s rapidly changing society teachers also need more training to implement new technology and time to adapt curriculum to align with new technology and current trends.”
Elective classes gives students the freedom from the core classes to wind down, step out of their comfort zone, and learn something new. It gives them more options and opportunities for their future.
Norwin School District curriculum is aligned with its the Pennsylvania Academic Standards and Assessment Anchors. At Norwin, elective classes like core classes, are aligned with state curriculum standards to ensure academic rigor and age appropriate courses.
Electives matter to lots of individuals, they boost your credits to graduate. They prepare us for tomorrow. Elective classes should have as much priority as core classes because electives matter.
