The pack is back for the new school year, bringing with it new calendar changes and graduation requirements. Here’s a quick glimpse at everything the new school year has to offer.
The 2024-25 school year begins on a Tuesday rather than a Thursday to provide an entire week off for Thanksgiving, as opposed to the previous three-day break. This decision was made after several calendar surveys and discussions within IUSD.
“A lot of school districts actually start on a Tuesday,” assistant principal Christina Banagas-Engelerdt said. “Eventually our students will get used to that, but I think a lot of families already would like to have a full week off at Thanksgiving, so it gives kids the opportunity to travel.”
Additionally, students, starting with the Class of 2027, must complete at least three years of math and science in order to graduate. They will also complete 10 fewer elective credits, or two fewer semesters of electives. This ensures that students meet the required three years of mathematics and the recommended three years of science for UC and CSUs.
“Knowing math and science can be beneficial for students, I feel like it’s important to ensure that high school graduates study the things they need, so people need to graduate knowing some sort of math or science to survive,” sophomore Angel Song said.
Students in the Class of 2030 will also be required to take a semester of ethnic studies, as per Assembly Bill 101. All California schools must offer this course by the 2025-26 school year, with hopes of making students graduate and feel empowered, according to the California Department of Education.
“I think having an ethnic studies class is important because students can learn to appreciate and respect the cultures of different ethnic groups,” junior Bonnie Chen said. “It allows students to have a broader perspective on society.”
Furthermore, the Class of 2031 will have to take a semester-long course on financial literacy, which must be made available in two years for all California high schools. This is hoped to help students improve their credit scores, reduce default rates, maintain their savings and open at least one retirement account after graduating.
As for changes specific to Northwood, students can look forward to further updates on new changes or programs by following @nhstwolves on Instagram and other Northwood-affiliated accounts.
“We are hoping to recommit to our core values and some areas that we can improve school wide this year,” principal Leslie Roach said. “We hope to revise how we talk to each other, the language we use on campus and being a community at school, so we can’t wait to see what that looks like this year.”
