With class scheduling right around the corner, students are once again preparing to make important choices. Picking classes isn’t just about filling a schedule, it is an opportunity to explore interests, challenge yourself, and discover what subjects spark your curiosity. Here are some suggestions for classes that previous students have enjoyed.
Leadership
Leadership is a class available to grades 10, 11, and 12. This is a class that will help develop leadership skills, goal-setting skills, communication, organization, and event planning. Senior Julie Lawatsch stated, “I would recommend this class because you get to know everyone in the class really well, which is fun and creates a community.” A huge element of Leadership is the new people you will meet and get to know, and the more comfortable you will get talking to new people.
Car Care
Car care is available to any student interested, as well as there are more advanced versions of it. The course includes general vehicle maintenance, roadside repairs, and inspecting vehicles. Senior Stevie Liggett stated, “Car care is different than any other class in Milford. It’s very hands-on for the students, and it teaches skills that everyone can use on their own cars. I recommend car care to any underclassman because it teaches valuable skills that can save a lot of money and will stick with you for the rest of your life.”
Newspaper
Newspaper is a class available to 10, 11, and 12th graders. This class focuses on planning, producing, and distributing newspapers. Students can work individually or in groups and have the opportunity to practice editing. Junior Avery Massimilla stated, “In newspaper, we write stories about happenings at Milford, like sports, clubs, accomplishments of students, and really anything else we want to. We also go to businesses and sell ads to raise the funds to be able to print. I would definitely recommend Newspaper whether you like to write or not, because it is a great experience and Mr. Hamilton is a great teacher.
AP Psychology
AP Psychology is a course available to 10, 11, and 12th graders which focuses on the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes, as well as explores key theories and research methods. Senior, Lily Hardin, recommends this class “because it is a fun way to learn how people think and act the ways they do, while also being able to earn college credit, and it is really interesting and you do some fun experiments.”
AP Environmental Science
This course is available to grades 10, 11, and 12. In APES you will learn about different biomes of the world, human impact on the earth’s environment, how energy flows from one organism to another, and pollution as well. Senior, Tommy Shaw, shared, We did multiple projects and labs over the year, and even had zoo animals come to our school! I would 100% recommend this class to anyone who is remotely interested in science, but even if you’re not, I still think this class is really interesting and engaging and has a lot to offer!”
AP Computer Science
This class focuses on principles and central ideals of computer science. This class is available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Some of the major ideas of study for the class are creative development, data, algorithms and programming, computer systems and networks, and the impact of computing. Sophomore Levi Schultz stated, “The class is a positive environment where you monitor yourself and get work done by yourself, but it also provides collaboration and teamwork skills. You also learn great life skills for the future, as our society is becoming more focused on technology. And we work to create different apps which teach you new skills.”
Marketing and BMT
Senior Gavin Hess recommends the business courses such as marketing and BMT. Marketing focuses on the fundamentals of marketing and how businesses operate in a free enterprise system. This class focuses on communication skills through its team building and group collaboration. BMT is a course that helps students build foundations in established business principles and practices while using technology applications. Hess stated, “They teach practical skills and useful skills to have in the future. Taking a business class is a prerequisite for doing DECA, which is one of my favorite clubs and teaches practical business skills. It also gives you an opportunity to explore the path of business to see if it’s something you are interested in and would want to pursue in the future. And Ms. J is great!” Both classes are available to any grade level interested.
Accounting
Accounting is a course available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. This course studies fundamental accounting principles while learning about payroll and tax accounting. There is hands-on practice as well as journal entries, and financial statements. Students will learn about T Accounts and track the money going into and out of a company. Senior, Elsa Yount stated, “I think the class is very straightforward and easy to get the hang of.”
Practical Law
Practical Law is a one-semester course for juniors and seniors in which students learn about federal and state laws in the U.S and will explore how these laws affect citizens in their daily lives. This class looks at the origins of the legal system and different elements of the law. The class contains mock trials, debates, and analysis of case laws. Senior Delaney Heflin stated, “Students should take practical law because it has interactive lectures and a lot of class discussions. The class makes you think deeper into what you morally believe and what the law says. Mr. Frikken leaves room for your opinions while still making sure you understand the U.S. legal system.”
Anatomy and Physiology/Forensic Science
Milford offers some natural science elective courses for juniors and seniors such as anatomy and physiology and forensics. Senior Ashley Verhey stated these were her favorite electives. Human anatomy and physiology studies the structure and functions of the human body. It can help get a start on your knowledge if this is a career you want to explore in the future, and it gives you a better understanding of what is happening when injured. Forensics focuses on utilizing skills to process and analyze evidence. You will explore case files and study real crimes, as well as study types of evidence, fingerprints, impressions and anthropology in a highly engaging environment. Verhey stated, “It’s just super fun learning about the different things this class had to offer. Plus, if you want to go into a field like this, I thought that it was very helpful to explore it.”
Education General
Education General is a class focused on learning about education and children from the time they are born until they are 18. The class helps improve presentation, public speaking, writing, communication and reasoning skills. There are many different levels of Ed Gen who work on different educational aspects. Students will spend one class period observing a functioning classroom at an HVS elementary school as well as practice taking care of a baby. Senior Eva Polselli stated, “ Ed Gen teaches students about early childhood and child development from prenatal care through the teenage years. It allows those that are going to go into education 2, 3, and 4 to have a basic understanding of how a child learns., as well as it can teach you about how you learn. It’s a fun and engaging class full of projects.”
Spanish
Spanish class helps students learn to speak, read, and write in the language while exploring the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries. It builds communication skills and cultural awareness through interactive lessons and practice. Taking two years of a foreign language is a requirement, but Senior Eva Farquharson states that “You should take Spanish because it opens doors to new cultures, career opportunities, and global connections. The class has a lot of hands-on and interactive activities that make the class more fun.”
Concert Choir and Center Stage
Concert choir is a primary-level performance ensemble. It introduces students to the basics of vocal performance available to any grade level, along with performances and concerts. Senior Theo Kress recommends concert choir because you learn the basics of performing, but you also make connections and talk with new people. He stated, “ If you are good and good with people and impress Ms. Miller you might have the opportunity to do Center Stage, which is one of my favorite classes.” Center Stage is an advanced performance ensemble for 10,11, and 12th graders focused on reading music, singing in four-part harmony, and using choreography to enhance vocal performance.
Pottery
Ceramics is another course offered at MHS for any student, as there are multiple levels of it. Students will get to learn how projects begin as lumps of clay and end up as fired masterpieces. Senior Sadie Hall, describes the class as “Pottery gives a more hands-on experience in creating a piece of art. The projects we are assigned vary greatly. We make everything from bowls on the pottery wheel to 3D self-portraits. I would recommend taking this class if you love art because it gives you the opportunity to create and express yourself in a different medium.”