Feb. 13, 2026
Zahara Chowdhury
Editor-in-Chief
From analyzing fashion trends to learning about dividends, LHS is encouraging students to explore innovation through its latest class offerings.
With course selection for next school year set to take place between March 2-6, here’s what students should know about LHS’ four new electives:
Three-Dimensional Art
Open to all grades; half year
Teacher: Mrs. Almeida
The Three-Dimensional Art class aims to expand students’ art skills through hands-on projects.
Art teacher Mrs. Almeida said she proposed this course, which will fulfill 2.5 of the five Visual Arts credits required for graduation, to replace the calligraphy class currently offered at LHS.
“We’ve been running it for [five years] now, and I feel like it’s kind of run its course, and students are starting to want something else,” Almeida said. “I also was looking for a change.”
Almeida said students will create four sculptures using cardboard, clay, papier-mâché and wire over the span of two marking periods.
“A lot of students are more interested in working with their hands, so that’s why I thought [of] a 3D class where we could use all different types of [materials] to create little sculptures,” Almeida said.
She said the class will inspire students to tap into their creativity.
“Even if they don’t think that they’re artistic… this is a whole different skill set, and usually they find that they are able to do it,” Almeida said.
Fashion History and Culture
Open to all grades; half year
Teacher: Mrs. Auteri
The Fashion History and Culture course will focus on fashion from the 18th century to the present, with students learning about trends across decades and creating their own clothing.
Art teacher Mrs. Auteri said she proposed this course, which fulfills 2.5 credits of the five Visual Arts credits required for graduation, because of the art class she took as an LHS student.
“In my art class, there was a fashion section, and I thought that it would be kind of cool to [have an art class for] someone who likes fashion and who likes to draw. Even if you don’t like to draw, [you can] learn [about] fashion,” Auteri said.
She said students enrolled in the class will sketch out garments and research prominent designers. Auteri said she will also invite guest speakers to present in the classroom.
“We’ve had students who have moved on to either [the Fashion Institute of Technology] or have a job [in fashion], and [I’d] like to try to see if there are any alumni that I can bring back in or someone at least in the profession,” Auteri said. “I would love to have somebody from costume design come and talk to them.”
Auteri said this class will help students develop a greater appreciation for fashion.
“If anything, they’ll get some more respect for certain cultures [and] time periods,” Auteri said. “When you see a picture of a grandparent or a mom, you’re like, ‘This is what you wore? Your hair was like that?’ Now they’ll understand a little bit [and have] more of a connection to another decade.”
Advanced Placement Business with Personal Finance
Open to grades 10-12; full year
Teacher: Mrs. Huntington
AP Business with Personal Finance introduces students to the entrepreneurial skills needed to grow businesses and careers.
This course is part of AP Career Kickstart, a new program designed by the College Board to fit into existing professions and technical education fields of study. Students with qualifying scores on the AP exam can earn college credit and the course-specific credential.
Business and technology teacher Mrs. Huntington said she proposed this course because it benefits students preparing for business majors, which is the most popular degree in the United States.
“At the high school, we have courses that cover [different] areas… but this class will put all of the information together into one course that will truly benefit students going to college and the workplace,” Huntington said.
Besides preparing for the AP exam, students will complete two projects: a business model and a financial advisory for a fictional household.
Huntington said students who are interested in improving their business literacy, making informed decisions and navigating the industry strategically should consider taking the class.
“When you understand how businesses work, you understand how to work with businesses, either as a consumer, a business owner or an employee,” Huntington said.
Advanced Placement Cybersecurity
Open to grades 10-12; full year
Teacher: Ms. Orth
AP Cybersecurity, which is also part of the AP Career Kickstart program, aims to detect, analyze and mitigate cyberattacks through the use of artificial intelligence and collaboration.
In addition to earning college credit, students who receive qualifying scores on the exam can obtain the AP Cybersecurity credential.
Business and technology teacher Ms. Orth said she proposed this class, which fulfills the 21st Century Life and Careers graduation requirement, because cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field.
“Until you try, you’ll just never know if it’s something that you would be interested in.”
“The people that [companies are] hiring [as] cybersecurity professionals don’t necessarily have years and years of education. They’re just looking for people who have taken an interest in it,” Orth said. “The job potential here seems to be unlimited.”
Orth said she intends to give assignments related to real-life issues.
“I will definitely have projects related to current or past cybersecurity failures that we can learn from, almost like a business case study,” Orth said.
She said students should register for this class, even if the material is unfamiliar to them.“Don’t think of computer science or cybersecurity as a field that you can’t dabble in, because it’s much more accessible than you might think,” Orth said. “Until you try, you’ll just never know if it’s something that you would be interested in.”
