By Kaitlyn Yu ’27
If there’s one thing students should admire about Choate, it’s all of the opportunities we are given to reach our full potential. With access to over 300 courses, eight Signature Programs, and a plethora of afternoon activities, everyone is encouraged to cultivate their passions and explore new paths. Even so, there are always ways we can improve our School and its offerings, and some students have suggestions as to how the School could expand the course catalogue.
Though Ella Morris ’25 enjoys the variety of courses offered at Choate, she wishes that there was a “What If?” history class. Citing her American Studies cohort last year and their History teacher, Mr. Thomas White, as co-creators, the “What If?” class would allow students to pose questions considering the impacts of altering, creating, or erasing historical events. “I don’t remember exactly how we thought of the idea, but we would always ask the craziest questions and go on the strangest historical tangents that it felt like a natural continuation of our class dynamic,“ Morris said. Such a class would encourage students to think critically about the impact of individual actions while engaging in creative thinking and academic curiosity.
Brayden Bratti ’27 believes that there should be more mandatory classes to widen students’ world view. Bratti said that a required geography class would benefit the student body, some of whom have never left the United States. He also expressed interest in a “broader range of global studies programs,” like an Afro-Eurasian history course. Especially in the context of a global school, learning geography and cultural studies would help broaden the horizons of all students.
Andy Stahlman ’26, a debater and mock trial aficionado, hopes to see Mock Trial offered as an afternoon activity and classes like Criminal Law in future iterations of the course catalogue. Especially since many Choate students are politically active or of voting age, understanding the American judicial system is essential.
Similarly, Ava Hult-Falk ’27 suggested that there be “more things geared towards people that ‘don’t want to be sweaty’” in the afternoon. Meditation activities, for example, could allow students to disconnect from their electronics, a practice the Administration is encouraging, and take time to reflect and relax.
On the other hand, Leanne Parks ’25 suggested acrobatics-related afternoon activities. As a dancer and theater savant, Parks believes that a gymnastics and circus tricks evening option, in which students might learn skills like unicycle-riding and tumbling skills, would offer another opportunity for students to be undefinable in combining the arts and athletics.
What courses and afternoon activities would you like to see at school? Whether it’s a niche subject or a sweaty afternoon activity, your input could inspire new passions for others. After all, students are always brimming with creative ideas to make the most of their time here, and your suggestion might just be the next big hit!
