Staff Editorial

October 28th, 2004

By Spectator
Stuyvesant students have recently been presented with an expanded version of an old opportunity. Classes have been made available from City College of New York in mathematics, English, history, and science (and are to be made available in the technology department later this year) to those students who wish to continue the learning experience past official school hours. These classes that convene twice a week are an enriching and positive addendum to the Stuyvesant curriculum.

Though they were originally offered to supplement the math classes already available during the school day, the CCNY classes were expanded to include other subjects as well. This broadens the selection of courses available and provides a chance to receive three college credits, without charge, for a successfully completed term. The courses offer a rewarding after school learning experience.

Many Stuy students began school this year frustrated with the number of classes that were cut from their schedules and from the course listings, due to the now infamous budget cuts. The CCNY classes are a creative and productive way to make up for that loss. For the students who were closed out of their elective, this is an alternative way to pursue an interest in a certain subject. For others, this is an opportunity to learn for the sake of learning and to receive additional instruction at a college level. The wide breadth of unique courses that are available is yet another facet of education that Stuy students may tap into.

This year, the school administration was forced to deal with the daunting task of continuing the level of academics and achievement of the school in the face of budget cuts. The CCNY classes are a good way to make up for the lost courses and electives. However, student interest is key to the continuation of these classes into the spring term and into future years. We should embrace this new possibility, so that this program can continue to expand its course offerings and benefit later classes at Stuy.