As course registration for the 2022-2023 school year begins, students are presented with a tough choice: choosing their electives. In addition to core classes required for graduation, St. Pius X offers a wide variety of electives from every academic department. 

Some upper-level Fine Arts electives require auditions and they tend to fill up quickly. Most electives, however, do not require any sort of pre-requisites and are open to most of the student body. These open electives can easily run out of slots, but “…the [administration has] done a good job [with managing this issue]. It used to be a bigger problem than it is now,” said Counselor Jenniffer Kapp. 

With so many choices and so little room in a student’s schedule, it can be challenging to figure out what to take that will align with your interests and future goals. While some students would enjoy a more laid-back elective like study hall that doesn’t offer course credit, others take interest in more academically challenging classes or those that are focused on possible career choices. 

Mrs. Kapp and fellow counselors Mrs. Arline Umpierre and Mrs. Jennifer Gibbs gave their advice based upon their years of experience with course registration guidance both at St. Pius and at other schools. Many students believe that they should take certain electives to impress colleges, but Mrs. Kapp explained that there are more factors to consider. 

“It’s a combination of [personal] interest, and then also what people need [to qualify] for HOPE scholarships,” she explained.

For example, electives such as Introduction to Journalism or Current Issues and Political Speech might be appropriate choices for those who want to pursue a career in journalism or political science. Other options such as Genocide and the Holocaust or Film as Literature might appeal to students who are simply curious to learn more about a topic. For those who plan on majoring in business in college, the Social Studies Department is offering two new electives next year: Intro to Business and Personal Finance.

Regardless of personal motivations for taking a particular elective, almost all of them offer curriculums that will benefit students as adults in the real world.

“I think Sociology is very useful, just because you learn about society as a whole and how people function. Even AP Psychology, it helps you understand others,” Mrs. Umpierre said. 

Mrs. Kapp said, ”Honestly, one that I promote a lot is AP Computer Science principles because it’s the very basics of coding, and I just think that is going to be useful for everyone.”

The deadline for electives that require applications has passed as well as the ability to request a level change, and course registration officially begins online April 2 and ends April 20. The Academics Office will build master schedules over the summer, and student schedules will not be visible in PowerSchool until July.

For more detailed information, reference the email sent on February 10 from Dean of Academics Mr. Jason Eaglen, or email Mr. Eaglen or the Registrar Mrs. Karen Travers.