![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
New courses being offered next year
HABLAS ESPANOL: Spanish teacher and Foreign Language Department Chair Abel Olivas teaches an AP Spanish class. Next year, the Upper School will be offering an Honors Spanish 4 class to bridge the gap between Spanish 4 and the AP course, as well as a new English elective and several classes on the Global Online Academy.
New courses offered next year include a new semester elective, English 4: Jack Kerouac and the Beat Generation, a year long Honors Spanish 4 class that is more fast-paced than the current option, Spanish 4 and several additional new courses available on the Global Online Academy (GOA).
In terms of logistical changes, the semester Ecology science elective has been renamed Marine Biology, Modern International Affairs has been made an Honors class, and the two semester courses AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics have been combined into a yearlong AP Economics course.
Each year, the specific advanced topics offered in each subject swap. Next year, Signals and Systems, and Differential Equations II are the two available math advanced topics, Expert Systems, and Computer Architecture are the two avaliable computer science advanced topics, and for students taking Latin, the only advanced topic is Honors Advanced Classical Studies.
According to Dean of Studies Evan Barth, changes to the courses offered at Harker usually come from individual teachers with ideas for a new class.
To graduate, students are required to obtain a minimum of 22 academic units. Some classes are also required to be taken a specific number of years: English classes must be taken all four years of high schools; math classes must be taken three, with a recommended four years; science and history classes must both be taken a minimum of three years, and students must pass level three in a foreign language.
An additional semester of computer science and a year long course about visual or performing arts are requirements for graduating.
This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on January 28, 2015.
Vineet Kosaraju (12) is the STEM Editor for both Harker Aquila and Winged Post. He is a senior and has been part of the journalism program for the past...
Jenna Sadhu (10) is a Social Media Reporter for the Winged Post and has been a part of the Harker community since Kindergarten. She plays on lacrosse,...