Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 22:54     Subject: Elective Choices
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My son who had no interest in art took photography (in HS) and loved it. Took more than the minimum. In MS he took something relating to videos..can not recall the name and I am dated too. My daughter loved music so choir was her focus. Maybe he could try something new?


What his photography class taught in and old home EC room without working lights? That’s what some kids get in MCPS. Ask Beidelman about that…


No...hus school had a photography room with a dark room where he learned to develop film! Maybe it's all phones now?


Our HS does digital photography and the kids roam the building all day with digital cameras.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 20:52     Subject: Re:Elective Choices
Anonymous wrote:It's good there are options for Fine Arts, as it's a graduation requirement.


I never said it was bad fine arts is offered. I said the fact ONLY art classes for fine arts isn't optimal. Fine Arts includes music, orchestra, band, dance, theatre...we don't have many of those options but we have 4 different art options. There needs to be more a variety of the fine arts.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 20:39     Subject: Elective Choices
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My son who had no interest in art took photography (in HS) and loved it. Took more than the minimum. In MS he took something relating to videos..can not recall the name and I am dated too. My daughter loved music so choir was her focus. Maybe he could try something new?


What his photography class taught in and old home EC room without working lights? That’s what some kids get in MCPS. Ask Beidelman about that…


No...hus school had a photography room with a dark room where he learned to develop film! Maybe it's all phones now?
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 18:55     Subject: Elective Choices
It's expensive, OP. MCPS can't seem to get its budget together.

There are a lot more electives in high school, but by that time, kids are loading up on APs and hardly have time for any of them.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 18:52     Subject: Elective Choices
Anonymous wrote:My son who had no interest in art took photography (in HS) and loved it. Took more than the minimum. In MS he took something relating to videos..can not recall the name and I am dated too. My daughter loved music so choir was her focus. Maybe he could try something new?


What his photography class taught in and old home EC room without working lights? That’s what some kids get in MCPS. Ask Beidelman about that…
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 18:51     Subject: Re:Elective Choices
Anonymous wrote:It's good there are options for Fine Arts, as it's a graduation requirement.


Not in MS!
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 16:29     Subject: Elective Choices
My son who had no interest in art took photography (in HS) and loved it. Took more than the minimum. In MS he took something relating to videos..can not recall the name and I am dated too. My daughter loved music so choir was her focus. Maybe he could try something new?
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 16:20     Subject: Re:Elective Choices
It's good there are options for Fine Arts, as it's a graduation requirement.
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 16:18     Subject: Elective Choices
Anonymous wrote:Coming here from NYC-I know the electives vary from school to school, but ours are so minimal. There are like 4 different options for art. My kids have no interest in art. (Fine Arts, yes) Our ms had an amazing dance program. It had more computer science options, FACS, etc. Again, I know it varies, but it seems there need to be more options for ALL schools. Electives are important.


Electives are very dependent on teacher comfort and availability. Every school has staff with different strengths and experience. You can't replicate that county wide
Anonymous
Post 01/18/2026 15:44     Subject: Elective Choices
Coming here from NYC-I know the electives vary from school to school, but ours are so minimal. There are like 4 different options for art. My kids have no interest in art. (Fine Arts, yes) Our ms had an amazing dance program. It had more computer science options, FACS, etc. Again, I know it varies, but it seems there need to be more options for ALL schools. Electives are important.