With Burroughs High School adjusting its local graduation requirements, World Geography has become an optional course, opening the door for several new elective offerings.
“We were looking for classes that students might be interested in that also help prepare students for career and college after high school,” said Principal Carrie Cope.
With that in mind, several new college-preparatory electives received approval from the Sierra Sands Unified School District Board of Education at its April 17 meeting.
All of the courses have gone through the a-g course approval process, meaning they meet the “G” elective requirement used for admission eligibility to the University of California and California State University systems.
The Introduction to Speech and Debate course will introduce ninth-grade students to informational, impromptu, and persuasive speaking. Students will analyze professional speakers, deliver presentations, and provide feedback to classmates as they develop communication skills.
Junior Alexis Zwierzchowski said the course could help students gain confidence.
“Taking debate would’ve had a lot of benefits for shy students coming into high school, giving them a chance to practice public speaking and presentations,” Zwierzchowski said.
Another proposed elective emphasizes career readiness and workplace technology skills. Computer Business Applications will give students foundational experience using Google Workspace while applying math and language arts skills to real-world business tasks.
The project-based course focuses on planning, designing, and presenting information in professional formats. Students who meet the course criteria may earn a Certificate of Completion, with an optional G Suite Certification available for advanced proficiency.
Senior Stephen Lormand believes the course reflects skills students increasingly need.
“I feel like Computer Applications for Business is a great addition to the Burroughs elective list because these skills are necessary in our dominantly online world,” Lormand said.
Students interested in technology and design may also be drawn to Introduction to Game Development, which explores the fundamentals of three-dimensional modeling and video game production.
Teacher Kevin Burch said the course is designed to make game creation accessible to students.
“This course is designed to be code-free, meaning I will write the code, and it will use free programs like Unity and Blender,” Burch said. “If students can imagine a fun game, they can create it without worrying about expensive software.”
Burch added that the class highlights the connections between mathematics, programming, and digital art.
“This course will help students see the importance of geometry and mathematics in programming and how math and art work together when building digital worlds,” Burch said. He said he designed the course based on one he took in high school that introduced him to the joys of programming and game development.
“I’ve been programming with different languages and exploring different programs for the past 22 years, and it all started with that Computer Programming course (with QBasic and Visual Basic),” he said. “I want to instill that same excitement and joy that I found into the next generation of game developers.”
Additional electives could expand opportunities in academic exploration. College and Career Readiness will help students research postsecondary options, analyze informational texts, and develop evidence-based writing and presentation skills.
Another proposed offering, History of American Sports, will examine how athletics have intersected with major social, cultural, and political developments throughout U.S. history. Students will analyze readings, primary sources, and media while exploring how factors such as race, gender, and social class have shaped participation in sports.
The electives will become part of the Burroughs course catalog for the upcoming school year, giving students new opportunities to explore interests while developing skills that extend beyond the classroom.
