As students progress through their academic careers, course selection is one of the most important decisions they make. At Haverford, the balance between broad, general courses and more specialized offerings arises when considering how well the curriculum prepares students for college and the wider world.
While the current approach allows for a strong foundational understanding, many feel that the curriculum could use a little more variety in specialized courses that match the wide variety of career interests.
“I think the courses we provide are very broad, which can be good for a large scope and understanding,” Fourth Former Anantvir Othie said.
“Other schools, like Baldwin, offer niche classes that dive into specific topics, like a graphic novel class or a Holocaust class,” Othie said. “I think having something similar to our European Dictators elective here would be valuable.”
For Othie, who envisions a future career in business and economics, the current course structure is a great starting point, but it still has room for improvement.
The school’s approach to specialized courses is through electives, which can be “unlocked” as students progress through higher levels of subjects, like math.
“For sophomores, there should be more opportunities if they have the prerequisite knowledge.”
anantavir othie ’27
For example, once students have completed Calculus, they can move on to more advanced topics such as microeconomics or macroeconomics.
The lack of specialized courses means that students looking to focus on certain industries—like healthcare—or developing career skills, may not get the chance to explore these interests in depth until they reach college.
Anantvir suggests that most electives should not be restricted to a grade level.
“For sophomores, there should be more opportunities if they have the prerequisite knowledge. Prior experience should be necessary, but not restricted to the grade. If students are ready, they should be able to take more specialized classes,” Othie said.
Beyond the traditional academic subjects, Othie envisions a course in practical education—skills that students can use in real life.
“I think if you could add a course, it should be something like life skills,” Anantvir said. “Something more practical versus what you learn in core classes, like Algebra. Public speaking, confidence, charisma—skills that will help in life, not just in tests.”
One of the defining features of the school is its approach to honors courses, which typically go deeper into subjects compared to AP classes. While the depth of honors courses is a benefit, it also means that students have to consider which courses they choose based on their strengths and future goals.
Expanding these options would complement the current curriculum and ensure students are prepared for both college and their future careers.