On Jan. 16, parents of rising ninth, 10th, and 11th grade students gathered for Curriculum Night, an annual event designed to inform families about course offerings and resources available for students. The evening provided an opportunity for parents to engage with the school staff, explore course and elective options for their child, and learn about how to support students during their high school experience. 

The event began with a presentation from counseling director Kevin Terry, who addressed the rising ninth grade parents in the auditorium. Terry emphasized the importance of maintaining balance in high school and encouraged families to focus on long-term success rather than aiming solely for admission to highly competitive colleges. “I really want to try to encourage students to pursue paths, pursue [the] passions [they want to pursue], and focus on the areas that they’re interested in,” counselor Emily Gardner said. 

The presentation also introduced the counseling staff, who outlined their role in helping students through academic, personal, and post-secondary planning. Terry also reviewed graduation requirements and provided an overview of course pathways to ensure parents were informed about what their students need to meet state and school standards. 

Following the presentation, parents toured the school’s cafeteria and main hallway, where faculty members set up information booths. Each booth featured a trifold display showcasing details about specific courses and electives offered. English, fine arts, world language, and athletic course offerings were represented in the main hallway; science, math, and social studies were displayed in the cafeteria. Throughout the night, teachers were available to answer questions about course content and progression. “I think it’s important for [students] to have a good mix of both general studies and electives, [and] also have a good life balance between school and other activities,” parent Kyle Barrett said. 

Elective programs like art, choir, cooking, and DECA highlighted opportunities for students to explore their interests outside academics. World language booths included options like French and Spanish, where parents could learn about enrichment opportunities for their students, like taking a trip to Costa Rica. “I want him to make memories,” parent Binal Patel said. “I’m trying to force him to go on the Costa Rica trip, but [it’s not working], but I also want him to get to know everybody and build a foundation as we go forward.” 

Parents of rising juniors gathered for a session in the library, where they learned about the importance of 11th grade for college preparation, including taking the SAT, asking for teacher recommendations, and maintaining good mental health. 

“It’s good to learn when you’re in high school to not put too much on yourself, because when you go into college and in the workforce, there’s going to be lots of expectations and a lot of difficult, big situations that come up where you try to manage things as best as you can,” Gardner said. “You want to get into the habit of practicing self-care and making sure that you’re doing things for yourself. Working hard and also taking time for yourself — that’s a really important skill to build when you’re young.” 

Gallery • 6 Photos

Ananya Karthik

During the rising ninth grade presentation, school counseling director Kevin Terry talks about the importance of balance within a student’s schedule.