Dobbs Ferry High School offers many electives that enrich the curriculum and allow students to explore creative outlets alongside their other classes. By participating in these electives, students engage in activities they find enjoyable, learn new skills, and discover hobbies they wish to pursue in the future.
The three music electives are orchestra, band, and chorus, and they are available not only in the High School but also in the middle school. In the Dobbs Ferry district, students can be taught an instrument as early as 3rd grade, giving them over nine years to develop their skills. Each music elective has a total of three performances per year, displaying their skills to an audience.
Besides music classes, there are many other electives to choose from in High School. Offering a variety of electives is important to help prepare students for whatever course they pursue in life and maintain balance. For example, art-based electives create room for students to express themselves. According to teachers like Ms. Buschi, “(art) electives are essential for the development of creativity and using the right side of the brain. This side of the brain is important for the development of specific cognitive functions such as spatial abilities, creativity, intuition, emotional processing, and problem solving.” As stated by Ms. Buschi, art electives play an important role in our school, serving to increase cognitive function and be a way to let off steam.
There’s something in each elective for everyone. Even for students who would rather fully focus on improving their resume, electives can be incredibly helpful. An example of this is Film Production, a freshman and sophomore class. If taken these years, the skills learned from this class will be very useful in IB Film, a class offered in junior and senior year. IB classes are very prestigious, and doing well in them looks impressive on a transcript. Similarly, Science Research helps students pair up with scientists and enter competitions, giving them a chance to win awards that boost their resumes.
Electives are also very important for a student’s academic development. By taking electives, students become familiar with unconventional subjects or gain valuable skills. For instance, in the debate class elective, students research issues before they practice debating each other on them. Ms. Burtt, the debate supervisor, also shared, “electives encourage students to become motivated, passionate learners who take ownership of their learning.” Her classroom environment is one where students can grow academically in a multitude of ways.
Other electives, such as Digital Art, Yearbook, and Creative Writing, allow students to express themselves in new ways and discover hidden talents. Ultimately, electives at Dobbs Ferry High School provide students the opportunity to explore who they are and what they love, transforming school from a place of routine learning into one of creativity, curiosity, and personal growth.
