Hillsborough High highlights electives, CTE and language pathways, including new dance and robotics classes

Several content‑area supervisors walked families through elective options and new program offerings at Hillsborough High School.

Roberto Lugo, the world languages and ESL supervisor, described language pathways and placement requirements: commonly offered languages include Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish, with Latin and American Sign Language available in some cases; placement exams will be given around late January/early February and typical cutoffs mentioned included an 85% score for level 2 consideration and 90% recommended for level 3 along with teacher recommendation. Lugo also explained the interview and testing process for the Spanish for Spanish Speakers class and noted that world languages do not use honors-level designations in the district. He provided an email contact (rlugo@htps.us) for further questions.

Chris Ireland, K–12 supervisor for fine visual and performing arts, outlined arts and CTE options that meet graduation credits: freshmen commonly join ensembles (band, orchestra, choir) and can pursue music electives such as Music in Society, Music Technology, Music Theory, DJing and guitar. Ireland said Hillsborough will start a three‑level dance program in school year 2026–2027 (Dance 1 and 2 semester courses; Dance 3 full year with a culminating performance) and will add Robotics 1 in 2026 as an applied‑technology offering. He reviewed visual‑arts sequences (drawing, studio art, photography, AP art options) and career‑technical offerings (drafting, wood technology, web design, energy and power technology, home maintenance) and noted that certain electives serve both fine‑arts and CTE graduation requirements.

Science supervisor Lisa Kiel briefly linked science course choices to co‑requisite math placement and noted a new research experience sequence for grades 10–12; she reiterated that science credit cannot be earned before ninth grade and cautioned families about treating summer courses as full‑year equivalents. Parents were directed to the district curriculum site for course charts and pathway visuals that show prerequisites and multi‑level progressions.