Opinion

Opinion Roundup: Health class in sophomore year versus health class in senior year

Lila Peskay, Staff Writer • January 26, 2026

This school year, sophomores enrolled in Regents Physics were programmed to take health class twice a week. Students and staff shared their opinions about taking health class in sophomore year instead of senior year, as it had been since 2019, with The Classic.

Health education is a course that all students are required to take before they graduate high school in New York City. Prior to the 2025-2026 school year, students took this class during their senior year for one semester four days a week. However, this year, the THHS administration has changed when students take health education back to sophomore year (as it was before the pandemic). Current freshmen are given the opportunity to take health education during the entirety of their sophomore year if they are currently taking Biology or Chemistry. They take health classes two days a week, while they take gym the remaining two days of the week during the same band. This change in scheduling was introduced to students via an email sent out last August.

The Classic interviewed students and staff about their opinions regarding the health education curriculum and the new changes in health education scheduling.

Freshman Violet Bierbauer does not take health class and will take it next school year.

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“I would say that I know a decent amount [about health education currently], because I took health in middle school. I would definitely prefer to take health sophomore year because I feel like taking a required course, such as health, in senior year would be a little bit annoying especially because in senior year, you get to pick more of your classes. I’m not sure how much of [the health curriculum] I will learn in sophomore year will be stuff I haven’t already learned, whether from health in middle school or just from social media. I think I do see [health in sophomore year] as a positive change.”

— Freshman Violet Bierbauer

Sophomore August Yan takes health class twice a week during band 2 on Fridays and Tuesdays.

Junior Melissa Lai does not currently take health class and will take it next school year.

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“Having to take health in my senior year [will] definitely affect my [future] schedule because it takes away from the amount of APs that I want to eventually take, especially because AP credits are so important when applying to colleges. It’s great that they’re implementing it now, but I wish that opportunity could have been given to me during my sophomore year. It’s important for [adolescents] to learn more about health and safety. [The information I’ll learn next year in my health class] will be beneficial because it’s interesting to learn about health. Time is valuable, especially during junior and senior year. It would have been better for me if I had gotten it out of the way earlier.”

— Junior Melissa Lai

Senior Heidy Estrada takes health class once a week during band 7 on Monday.

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“I have health every seventh band on Mondays. It provides an inconvenience throughout the [week]. [Having Health seventh band] throws a wrench in [me having a lot of free bands in the afternoon]. I am excited for the second semester as I will not be taking health anymore. Absolutely, one hundred percent, I wish I could have gotten the course done during my sophomore year. So senior year, I could have had more time to focus on my college applications. Taking health class in sophomore year will lead to [ future sophomores] being a lot more focused their senior year on clubs and especially college application season during the first semester. Some of [the information I’m learning] is really beneficial. Our lessons involving emotional regulation are very helpful to me. But some other [information] seems redundant, as in things you think you learn as a kid, such as stress management.”

— Senior Heidy Estrada

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Health education is the most important class that students are going to take during their high school career. It gives [them] a chance to reflect on who [they] are and make changes to become better versions of themselves moving forward through different aspects of life. In 10th grade [health class] is wonderful, because [students are] going into adolescence and young adulthood. Senior health has its own advantages as well because [they are] going on a new journey of young adulthood and college. Learning to manage stressors and daily behaviors is an important skill in life. Health education is an important part of life where sometimes [students] have to reflect on who [they] are, [which is] not always comfortable, and that’s just the process. What [the health department has] done is try to gear that curriculum towards that part of life that [students are] going through.”

— Health Teacher Matthew Lemanczyk

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About the Contributors

Lila Peskay, Opinion Contributor

Lila is a freshman at Townsend Harris High School. She is a contributor in The Classic’s opinion department. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, and listening to music.

Bella Chen, Sports Photography Editor

Bella is a senior at Townsend Harris High School who hopes to pursue a career that gives her the opportunity to help people. Outside of journalism, she enjoys playing volleyball and cooking. Her favorite Classic piece she worked on is Scenes from Prom 2024, where she remembers the seniors’ happy faces and the delicious ice cream. Her favorite Classic piece made by others is an article titled “Mr. Wang Retires After Ten Years Serving as a THHS Guidance Counselor,” by Intishar Chinho. Mr. Wang was her guidance counselor and she agreed with all the kind things said about him.

Tabassum Ahmed, Photography Editor

Tabassum Ahmed is a junior at Townsend Harris High School. She aspires to pursue a career in sonography or pediatric health. In her free time, you can find her on the track leading her team as captain or listening to all kinds of music (mainly Malcolm Todd). Tabassum has always had a passion for photography being able to capture moments, tell stories, and express emotions without words. Her favorite Classic piece she has worked on has been creating and taking photos for FON 2025. In general, she always loves watching the College Videos for the seniors at the end of the school year.