Just by observing a playground filled with elementary school kids, you would think it is easy to identify the artistic kids –  those who draw pictures in the sand and make artwork with the fallen leaves – and the jocks – those running around with a ball on the muddy field. But how can one be sure that the boy shooting the winning goal doesn’t also have the voice of an angel?

In Elementary and Middle School, every student is required to take an art class where they are exposed to what the world of the arts has to offer. Similarly, in high school, it is mandatory for students to have at least one fine art credit to graduate.

The basis of this idea is understandable, and pleasant, even. The idea of having a “High School Musical-like education” is appealing,  where the athlete discovers a passion for art and music.

As appealing as the idea may seem, however, the requirement seems highly unnecessary. If a student truly wants to pursue the arts, or simply take an art course, it should be in their hands to decide. It is, after all, called an “elective”. If they have a secret artsy talent they want to make known, they can make it clear on their own. Every student is capable of checking the box that says “Art,” when choosing their classes every year, but that doesn’t mean they should have to.

Upon entering high school, students are excited to “pave their own road,” and get a taste of freedom. With the required art credit, however, not every student is equally able to achieve that.

Furthermore, when students are forced into an art class, not only would that student be a drain of resources, but it creates an unenthusiastic environment for those students who actually want to be there.

Despite the fact that there is a wide variety of art classes to choose from, those who are set on being athletes, engineers, doctors, or anything with otherwise no correlation to the arts, should not be forced to take an art class. Unwilling art students are required to waste one of their elective credits on a class they do not wish to take as opposed to taking a class they may actually be passionate about.

Although it is important for students to be well-rounded, high school students should be mature enough and independent enough to decide for themselves what classes they want to take.