Over the last four years U-32 has seen a quantity of changes. U-32 prides itself on the extensive program of studies, although in recent years these changes have been impacting the courses that U-32 offers. Classes have been cut for a multitude of reasons. Much of this has been due to budget cuts, but also because of low enrollment numbers in courses, especially with the amount of U-32 students pursuing a different path, such as tech and early college. However, class cuts leave younger students wondering if they will be able to have the same opportunities as those above them.
Geoff Green, social studies teacher stated, “There’s a lot of things we have to consider when we’re talking about what is fair for the students… I support offering classes that students want to take.” When asked about the possible cut of his World History class he answered, “As long as there are students who are interested in taking World History I would be happy to teach the class.” This seems to be a common theme amongst the U-32 staff.
Kara Rosenberg, who is currently teaching ninth and tenth grade English, recently experienced her upper level class, Advanced World Authors, being cut for the 2025-26 school year. She believes, “It’s a little sad because I think it’s a different kind of advanced class. A lot of people take American [Writers], a lot of people take Advanced Expository Writing, and I think the people who have taken World Authors have really liked it, because it does a lot of different kinds of stuff.” She added, “I’m hoping that in the future maybe we can offer it every other year with American [Writers] so more students will get the opportunity to take it.”
Aida Coffey, a senior at U-32, took World Authors last year. “It was a great class, it was really different from other English classes… It really built up my on-demand writing skills and reading skills. I think they should bring it back,” said Aida.
Many students have noticed that it is advanced classes that seem to be making their way out of the offering pool at U-32. Sophia Giammusso, senior and former World Authors student shared, “I feel like in general our school does not have many advanced options, and I feel like the very strong ones are being cut. I feel like that class, even though it was small, [the class] brought a community of strong thinkers together. Smaller classes can bring just bring deeper conversation, in World Authors I felt like I always had a chance to express my opinions.”
Although many classes are under threat of being cut, whether it is because of budget or enrollment dilemmas, there is a solution for this problem to allow students to be able to take the classes they want and keep enrollment numbers high.
Lei DeGroot, a senior active in the school board explained, “It is often that we have courses that go every other year or every two years.” This format was intended to keep classes available for students to take. Lisa LaPlante, guidance counselor, stated, “The only classes alternating are AP Chemistry and AP Biology.”
Some students, particularly seniors, question how this solution will play into effect. Sophia stated, “I took AP Biology my junior year and as a student who is looking to pursue a science career in the future I was looking forward to taking AP Chemistry.” Due to the new alternating schedule this year she was unable to take AP Chemistry, since it is not being offered her senior year, “I was disappointed. I was hoping it could prepare me for college courses in the future and possibly give me credits for college,” said Sophia.
Lately, there have been fewer courses offered at U-32. Lei stated, “The reduced number of classes this year has challenged [students] in planning for how they want to get their credits and reach their academic goals.”
Lei created a survey to share with the school board on students’ beliefs on the severity of course cuts in relation to the school budget. “People are very frustrated,” Lei said. His survey found that, “People believe there is limited recognition of courses that are not traditional.”
The results of the survey also found that students are concerned about the amount of AP classes that are no longer offered in recent years. 77.8% of students responded, “yes,” in response to a survey question that asked if AP courses were important to academic goals, “In this past year advanced level classes are facing the largest cuts,” stated Lei.
