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player ready...The Naperville High School District 203 school board is considering implementing a handful of new high school courses in the next two years.
With approval anticipated for later this month, the district will add French 5 in the 2026-27 school year and Exploring AI, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Networking, Culinary 2 (Baking and Pastry) and Advanced Acting for the 2027-28 school year.
The new courses are aligned with college and career readiness and some can help students earn college credits during their high school careers, said Andrea Szczepanski, lead principal of educational innovation and workforce development.
Curriculum will be developed in the upcoming school year to be ready for the start of the 2027 school year, she told the school board Monday.
The AP Computer Science Principles will focus on Python, a computer science language, while the AP Networking course is designed to be similar to a typical first-year collegiate introductory networking course, a course description said.
Students can earn college credit if they successfully pass an exam at the end of the year, Szczepanski said.
The baking and pastry course and French 5 are both eligible for college credit through the College of DuPage.
Students who took French in 8th grade have the opportunity to expand on their language skills by taking French 5 their senior year and earning college credits, which could save time and tuition fees, Szczepanski said.
The Advanced Acting course is able to be repeated so students can continue refining their skills, district documents said.
Board Member Marc Willensky said he was intrigued by the Exploring AI course so that students can learn the risks and proper uses of artificial intelligence as a tool.
Board President Charles Cush said district students have mentioned they have had success in college because they have taken rigorous courses in high school. He applauded the district for adding more dual credit courses.
Dual credit courses save money on college fees, but also open the door for students to take other classes that may not have otherwise fit into their college schedules, Cush said.
He said he looks forward to the time when a District 203 student can earn their high school diploma and an associate’s degree at the same time.
The district will offer 40 dual credit classes next fall with another seven that are being explored for the 2027-28 school year, Szczepanski said.
The new courses will replace some existing classes that are being retired to eliminate redundancy.