Wahluke High School to offer new classes, pathways

MATTAWA — Students at Wahluke High School can choose five new classes and eight new pathways for the 2021-22 school year, as the Wahluke School Board approved the options in a virtual meeting Jan. 12.

New classes are Farm to Fork, an agricultural class exploring agriculture and the potential careers students could have; Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), a year-long elective in the Law and Justice and Public Safety pathways; Introduction to Emergency Services, an introduction to fire department, paramedic and/or law enforcement careers; Auto and Diesel Repair, a one-semester elective for both diesel and gasoline repair and technology jobs; and Math/Business Math 106, an elective class for things like mortgages, taxes, investments, interest and annuities.

While presenting the new classes to the school board, Wahluke High School Principal Cody Marlow said the JROTC program would allow students to be exposed to military careers at an earlier age.

“JROTC is a military-based program that comes from the military,” Marlow said. “We would go the direction of the Army, as we have a lot of contact with them. There are a lot of leadership opportunities that make this really appealing. Typically, you see these at larger schools where they have more kids to take on this program. We feel that with the amount of kids that join the armed forces every year, this is a great opportunity to bring it in and expose it to kids sooner.”

When talking about the Auto and Diesel Repair class, Marlow said the high school offered the class in the past, but recently couldn’t due to the lack of facilities. He also said the teacher who will be teaching the business math class is hoping to offer it as a “college in the classroom” class.

Wahluke School District students are required to start graduation pathways in eighth grade.

“We’re putting an emphasis on the transition from eighth to ninth grades,” Marlow said. “We’re exposing them to schedules and classes and getting them a bit more information than, ‘I know that teacher. I’ll take that class.’ We want to offer things that will benefit them after high school.”

The new pathways approved were Business and Marketing, Accounting, Aerobotic Technology, Public Safety, Building Trades, Welding and Manufacturing Trades, Engine Repair and Small Engine and Recreation Vehicle.

The high school is considering adding more pathways, such as Web and Digital Communications and Health and Medical.

Wahluke School Board member Jessie Chiprez said he was “very happy” and “excited” the board voted to add the classes and pathways.

“I came from a time when if you didn’t go to a four-year university, you were a failure,” Chiprez said.

He added the preparation was important for those who decided to stay in the area and work in agriculture because it means they don’t have to start at minimum wage.

Marlow said students are not stuck in one pathway, but are able to “venture back and forth” to experience different possible careers.

“We’re creating multiple pathways so that they can get a taste of what they want,” Marlow said.