With the new semester beginning, students are beginning to select the classes they will take next year. That year will bring two new classes: Creative Writing and Fashion Design.

Creative Writing is an elective class for students to hone their writing skills. It will be taught by English teacher Susana Herrera and covers a variety of creative writing genres. The first semester will be centered around writing about personal experiences, and the second semester will focus more on creating characters and worlds. Throughout the year, students read mentor texts and offer each other feedback on their work.

“The class is going to be like a college writer’s workshop,” Herrera said. “I want students to take it feeling like it’s not a burden on top of their other classes.”

The addition of a creative writing class is something that Los Altos High School students have wanted for years. English Department Coordinator Margaret Bennett shared that in a 2023 survey taken by all students enrolled in LAHS English classes, creative writing was “by far the most desired.” In another survey taken by English students in April 2024, 39% of the over 1150 students who filled out the survey said they were interested in taking creative writing or something similar.

“Writing is something that I have a lot of fun with, but there’s not a lot of space in our regular curriculum for writing other than essays and the occasional poem,” sophomore Samuel Hiltgen said. “The Creative Writing class seems like a good place to have freedom to write while also having structure and a teacher to help students improve their skills.”

“We should have had a creative writing class a long time ago,” Herrera said. “I’m hoping for at least 25 students. I’d like for this class to get some students who are genuinely super excited about creative writing.”

Fashion design is another new elective joining the 2025-2026 course catalog. This fine art accredited course, led and developed by drawing teacher Yoonsun Chai, aims to bring a fresh but practical dimension to the school’s current visual arts program.

“We have a really strong visual arts program here, but they’re all 2D,” Chai said. “I wanted to bring some kind of 3D aspect to it, and because of my background in fashion, it would be perfect to have something that’s a little bit different.”

The curriculum is still being developed, but Chai plans to blend fine arts elements like drawing and painting with hands-on projects. One of the core components and ideas in the class is upcycling — using old and used materials to create a new and transformed garment. Incorporating an environmental impact within clothing waste, planned projects include making wearable tote bags and designing pajama pants. 

With how ever-changing fashion trends are, the class will also assign research and observations on current fashion ideas. Chai mentioned that they will look at Vogue magazines, social media, and celebrity trends. 

“They will digest it into their own flavor to create their own collection,” Chai said.

Fashion design is a beginner-level class. With how overarching fashion is, it’s a class that only requires open minds and interest in fashion. Students who want to improve fine motor skills, spend more time in practical creations, and explore their creativity are welcome. Beyond the classroom, Chai envisions workshops, alteration services, an exhibition, or even a fashion show.

“I’m looking forward to seeing students’ eyes light up by looking at their own creations,” Chai said.Counselors will meet with students to review course selections from January 24 to February 14. For those who are interested in creative writing, make sure to request for DO6012. For fashion design, request for KC1152.