Class selection for the 2026-2027 school year is coming up in January. Students will meet with their counselors to solidify their courses for next year based on their interests, career pathways or previous classes they’ve taken. While some are super popular, such as Computer Science or Floral Design, others are overlooked and often understaffed. The following list is a comprehensive guide to courses that are overlooked but just as interesting, and worth a shot. 

Newspaper

• Newspaper is one of the most overlooked ways to gain a necessary technology credit. After taking the prerequisite, journalism, and learning how to write different types of articles, students in newspaper are responsible for writing three articles per nine weeks, along with any sort of project that they desire. This could be any type of writing, recording a podcast, reviewing a movie, or any other idea they have. Additionally, members can pick what topics they would like to write about, so it’s a fun way to learn more about different students, staff or clubs. Once all of the articles are finished, students can do anything they want to! Whether it’s work for another class, catching up on much needed sleep or laughing with friends, it’s an opportunity to just chill. The team also gets added benefits, including a winter party with secret santa/white elephant gift exchange, brand new crewnecks designed by one of the students, chances to participate in Journalism UIL, an end-of-year party and occasionally special snickerdoodle cookies made by Mrs. Tolar!
• Hot tip: Use restaurant reviews as a way to convince your parents to buy you food or drinks!

Social Media Marketing

• Social Media Marketing is the perfect class for tech-savvy, chronically online teens. Students will learn how to make posts about items that generate traction using strategies, and get to play a simulation to try to make the most money through viewer interaction. During the semester, they’ll get descriptions of people and a catalog of items and learn how to best advertise their subject. If you love designing on Canva, are interested in graphic design or possibly considering majoring in marketing, this is the perfect course for you!
• Hot tip: Use what you learn for your own personal posts outside of school on Instagram or Tiktok!

Law Enforcement

• This class might seem targeted towards specific careers, but it can benefit any students wanting to go into the wide field of law or government. Its prerequisite, Survey of Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security teaches students how to pat down, handcuff, tie a tourniquet or makeshift one, stuff a wound and other useful things. It exposes students to what law enforcement does besides protecting and arresting and how investigations work for different crimes/levels of severity. Students investigate the Zodiac Killer’s attacks and cryptograms for one of their projects, as well as look at data on inmates and their crimes at Collin County jail. People who took the class were surprised by how many crimes they didn’t know existed.
• Hot tip: Take this class even if you’re not interested in government or law so you can better understand public enforcement in society. An added bonus is being able to handcuff your little sibling the next time they’re annoying you. 

A/V Production

• Audio/Video Production, known as AV Production, is an exciting class because A/V 2 students get to be a part of the Unbranded, the official news broadcast. AV 1, the prerequisite, teaches kids how to record high-quality videos, edit them and use cameras in general. It’s a good way to learn skills across the board that are useful for social media and advertising, especially since modern day technology is starting to be incorporated everywhere. Students in the class expressed how fun it is to edit and create their own videos, and getting to do it every other day is even better!
• Hot tip: Learn all of the skills in AV 1, then pick your favorites and choose what role you want to be a part of on the Unbranded staff! They have news anchors, editors, producers and more!

PALS

• PALS, or Peer Assisted Leadership, is an amazing way to meet younger kids from feeder elementary schools and give them an extra boost of confidence. Whether they’re struggling with something personal or just need a friend, being a mentor not only teaches students leadership, communication and empathy skills, but gives them a pal as well! It’s about developing leaders, encouraging children who may not feel worthy or who just need extra support, and creating relationships that you and your PALee will cherish forever. They get to do fun activities like playing the kids’ favorite board games and playing with fidget toys to keep them entertained. 
• Hot tip: It’s ok to be afraid of trying something new, but don’t let that fear stop you from something great. PALs is a program unlike any other Emerson offers, so step out of your comfort zone and make the most of the time with your pals!

Fashion Marketing

• Students in fashion marketing don’t just get to design clothes, but also learn the business aspect of it. They get the chance to play a virtual simulation game where they’re tasked with owning a clothing business and analyzing reports of how much money they’re earning. Students have to try to make as much money as possible by taking steps based on their reports and get the chance to learn real-world fashion applications, including how to sell items!
• Hot tip: Take strategies from this class on how to curate a good wardrobe and apply them to your own style! 

AP Research

• AP Seminar’s follow-up course, AP Research, is another underappreciated class. Seminar gives students the skills to form a research question and gather data, then make an argument with the help of other students and the teacher, and learn how to effectively speak publicly. However, AP Research takes it a step further and tasks students to take initiative to do it by themselves. It prepares them for college in a way no other class can, as it teaches people how to be self motivated in class. Another benefit is getting to choose whatever topic you want, but make sure it’s interesting, since you’ll be doing it all year!
• Hot tip: If you bring earplugs and listen to music, it’s really peaceful!

French

• While Spanish is a popular choice to obtain the two language credits, French is more niche. However, it’s a very useful language, considering there are 29 countries that use it as their national language and it’s the fifth most spoken language in the world. The class gets to eat multiple cakes throughout the year, including a lemon cake for mardi gras and chocolate cake for Christmas. They also do many fun projects that range from making a menu in French 2 and painting in French 3. 
• Hot tip: Take French if you’re even slightly interested in travelling abroad or a career in fashion or food. There might be some opportunities in France, and this will allow you to get the most out of it!

Art

• Art classes may seem intimidating, with all of the impressive artworks hung up around the school, but they’re really opportunities to have fun learning something new and expressing yourself creatively. No matter if you’re a prodigy or a total beginner, Art 1, 2 and 3 are for everyone to make fun projects while learning about the different elements and techniques of art. 
• Hot tip: Start with Art 1, and then choose what pathway you want to go down! There are Ceramic, 3D-Design, Art History and other specialized classes that cater to different interests!

Food Science

• While many seniors opt for Culinary Arts, Food Science is one of the best ways to get the fourth science credit while getting to enjoy a relatively easy class. Students get to learn how to cook and even eat their own creations! It’s a niche class that opens up many opportunities for anyone, from students considering possible careers involving food to ones who just need to make dinner! 
•  Hot tip: Use knowledge gained from Food Science to help experiment with new recipes and try to create your own!

Consider trying out one of these classes next year, instead of opting for the popular route. Who knows, you might find a new hobby or your new favorite subject!