Planning to Plan

Jefferson Academy provides a wide spectrum of electives for students, ranging from technology-based classes to artistic curriculums and even many hands-on experiences. Even with so many options, JA doesn't have everything that students might need or find intriguing.

Some students may claim they do their best in classes when they can be fully immersed and interested in the learning material. From a teacher standpoint, Mrs. Stadler thinks that hands-on classes are what students like the most.

“I think kids are really interested in a hands-on engineering classes,” Mrs. Stadler declared. “From what I remember hearing, they want to learn how to use the tools, and they want to learn how to make things.”

The student body shows interest in all different types of interactive classroom opportunities, such as Naomi Seiffertt, who wants to learn something that might be useful.

“I’d like to learn about woodworking and how to make things out of wood,” Seiffertt shared. “I think it could be a valuable skill to learn from a new elective.”

Some students prefer structured learning over a free-formed, self-paced environment in the classroom.

“My favorite class is probably ceramics because I really like the layout of the class. It’s very structured,” Austin Hand stated. “Everything is very planned out. You can see what you’re doing the next day and when everything is due for the whole quarter.”

With well-planned classes, students also like to be prepared for graduation. Jefferson Academy is a college-preparatory school, but some students have expressed their concerns about things that could help them feel more ready.

“I feel like the core classes are the most important,” Seiffert reflected. “I feel like it’s good to know certain things based on what you’re majoring in. I also think history is important because we learn about the past to have a better future.”

According to some students, some of the most crucial subjects to know about haven’t been addressed enough in the current curriculum, such as money management.

“The most I remember learning about finance was in sixth grade, and even that was barely scraping the edge,” Hand admitted. “I haven’t figured out how anything with return rates and all the other stuff I would be using works.”