ANNAPOLIS — Anne Arundel County high school students could see 18 new courses on their schedules, from a new path through algebra to hands-on career classes in robotics, hospitality and nail technology.
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County is scheduled to discuss and vote on the courses at its meeting Wednesday, Nov. 4, according to Anne Arundel County Public Schools. School system staff will give the board an overview of each course before the vote. The courses are proposed, not yet approved.
What’s on the list
The 18 courses fall into six areas:
- Math: Integrated Algebra 1 and 2, and Honors Integrated Algebra 2
- Media arts: Adapted Media Arts for grades 9-12, and Honors Apex Arts Media Arts 1 and 2
- Hospitality: Hotel & Resort Management 1, and Honors Hotel & Resort Management 2 and 3
- Cosmetology: Nail Technician 1, 2 and 3
- Engineering: Honors Robotics 1, and Advanced Robotics 2 and 3
- Public safety: Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement 1, and Honors Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement 2 and 3
Most of the new offerings are built as multi-level sequences, which lets students stack two or three years in a single field. That design fits Maryland’s push, under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education law, to give high school students more career and technical pathways alongside college preparation. The announcement did not say which schools would offer each course or when classes would begin.
The math courses stand apart from the career sequences, with an honors option in the second year of integrated algebra. School system staff are expected to explain the content and purpose of each course before the board votes.
How to watch or comment
The meeting begins at noon in the Board Room of the Parham Building, 2644 Riva Road in Annapolis, and is open to the public subject to space limits. It will be broadcast live on AACPS-TV and the school system’s YouTube channel. The board will first meet briefly at 10 a.m. to vote to go into closed session.
Up to 10 speakers, in person and virtual combined, may comment on each agenda item during a single public comment period early in the meeting. Registration and written comment links go live on the board meeting page the Friday before each meeting.
