September 3, 2025 – Are Electives Important?

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

Electives Grow Into Careers They Love

God is not only a Communicator. God is an artist. He loves music. God is a Creator. If we want our children to be like Him, we should not dismiss these avenues in our instruction. We might call most of these areas electives. 

We should never underestimate the power of electives in a child’s life, as they just may grow into careers they love. One child’s American Sign Language class eventually became a career as a Certified Deaf Interpreter. One child’s art classes and computer interests led to a career as the Media Director for a mega-church. Several of the children’s musical interests led to positions as worship leaders, music instructors, and orchestra performers. One child’s mime ministry class led to adult theater acting.

Electives could be involved in the shaping or revealing of God’s gifting within them. Even if none of the kids became artists or musicians or sports stars, they will all grow in knowledge and character. 

Your students will understand the creativity and artwork of God Himself through observing His creation, or worship Him through music and fine arts. He molds and shapes each child for the good works He created for them to do, and sometimes we find that out when they take an elective. Sometimes, there is a bigger vision that we don’t see and God is leading and taking us places we never thought of. God is faithful to give us opportunities to put before our children. 

You don’t know which activities will ignite the flame of your children’s future, but God does. As we allow God to guide our homeschool path, He brings forth what He knew all along was in each child.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

~Deborah

More from the pages of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine:
Art Education: More Important than One May Think by Dr. Heather Allen
Dramatic Teaching: Recognizing the Importance of the Arts by Joy Kita
The Divine Source of Musical Creativity by Sarah Carson
Planning a Homeschool Photography Course for Fun or Developing a Career by Naomi Musch
Choosing the Best Electives by Jan Burt

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Invite your children to encounter the goodness, grandeur, and power of God and his everlasting Kingdom through seventy beautifully illustrated, faithfully told Bible stories! https://bit.ly/3IUfMvz

Sheila Chairvolotti

Grow a Well-Rounded Adult

Electives are explorational, life-enriching, and fun! (Well, some are.)

Courses beyond core subjects allow students to uncover strengths and interests—and dislikes. The student excelling in math may surprise themself with a passion for agriculture or a disinterest in small engines. 

I loved observing my children’s eventual career paths develop through electives. My son who enjoyed an electronics and circuitry course went on to a robotics project and then to college for engineering. My daughter who for many years thought she wanted to be a veterinary tech realized that although she likes animals, she really loves cybersecurity—and now has a successful career in the cyber field. 

Not all electives were enjoyable to my students—they were bored by some and annoyed by others (don’t even ask about video production!) but they were given a wide range of opportunities to figure out what they valued. Elective courses can ignite a spark of entrepreneurship, pave a pathway to learning another language and culture, uncover a surprising talent, or shine a spotlight on a lifelong hobby or even career.

A potentially overlooked benefit of elective courses is how they help create a well-rounded person who can connect with others through shared interests, experiences, and understanding. My engineer son is comfortable talking with others about economics—or poultry—or classical guitar. Students who dive into elective courses develop multi-faceted personalities, able to understand and interact with a wide range of people. 

Such well-rounded people are able to share the Gospel as they develop relationships with others around them, even those outside their career. These relationships open up opportunities to share their faith. 

So, while core courses may be the ones tested for on the SAT, electives are very important. Encourage your student to experience a broad range of electives and watch how God works in their life!  

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About the author

Sheila Chairvolotti has been homeschooling her three children in New England since 2010 (two have graduated and now attend college). She has a background in biology and environmental studies and loves helping others learn to succeed in and enjoy science and math.

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Alexandria Letkeman

Why the “Extras” Matter Most

I often talk with parents who think electives are just “ornamental classes” and we need to focus on the “real work” of algebra, grammar, and history. We can add in the fun stuff after the important stuff is done. But these parents are missing the mark! Electives help your student explore who they are, what their interests are, and who they want to be. They’re essential tools that shape your teen’s transcript and their future.

On a transcript, electives shine and stand out. Colleges don’t just want to see checkboxes filled; they want to see individuality, curiosity, and depth. A teen who dives into filmmaking, architecture, marine biology, or Biblical studies is showing off what excites them. A transcript filled with electives can highlight what makes your student exceptional.

But the value goes far deeper than college applications and transcripts. Even if no one was looking, electives would still matter. They build character. They teach follow-through, spark imagination, and offer a space to try, to fail, and to grow. A student who studies leadership or carpentry is doing more than schoolwork; they’re developing grit, skill, and responsibility, and they’re learning how to think, act, and serve in the world. 

Electives also provide clarity. For the unsure student, trying different subjects can help them discover what they love, or what they don’t. That exploration is just as valuable as any textbook lesson. In a world obsessed with measurable results, electives are like a quiet rebellion: proof that education is not just about utility but about becoming.

So let your children explore. Let them dive into music, logic, mechanics, or baking. Not because a college wants it, but because they want it. Choose courses that stretch their mind and stir their heart. Education isn’t about stuffing the head full; it’s about awakening the whole person.

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About the author

Alexandria Letkeman began homeschooling with her family in middle school and has recently graduated with honors in 2020. Together with her husband, she has developed a passion for financial literacy, classical writing, and the freedom that homeschooling provides. In pursuit of those passions, she and her husband aim to continue the legacy of The HomeScholar and continue helping homeschool parents homeschool with confidence. One day, Alex plans to start a homesteading farm in Texas featuring mini cows.

Christine Weller

Are Electives Important?

When we think about homeschooling, our minds often go straight to the “big” subjects: math, language arts, science, and history. But what about electives—those courses that aren’t always required but add richness and variety to learning? Are they really important?

The answer is yes. Electives give our children opportunities to discover their God-given gifts and passions. A student who struggles through algebra may come alive in a photography class. Another might discover a lifelong calling through woodworking, drama, or computer coding. Electives can inspire creativity, build confidence, and sometimes even point to future careers.

In homeschooling, electives don’t have to look like a traditional classroom. They can be as simple as baking with Grandma, volunteering at church, taking music lessons, or joining a robotics club. The beauty of home education is the freedom to tailor electives to your child’s interests and to your family’s values.

Of course, not every elective will turn into a passion. But giving our children a chance to explore helps them develop new skills, broaden their perspective, and experience the joy of learning for its own sake. At the end of the day, electives remind us that education is more than checking boxes—it’s about equipping our children to live full, purposeful lives.

So, yes, electives matter. They might not be “core” subjects, but they are often the classes our kids remember most.

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About the author

Christine Weller has been homeschooling her two boys, 10 and 6, since birth in the lovely province of Ontario, Canada. She is also a mom blogger and children’s book author. She is currently working to support homeschoolers everywhere through various roles at The Old Schoolhouse®.

Explore how electives like Photography or Hands-On Learning Activities Through Crafts enhance your homeschool curriculum beyond core subjects! These courses teach creativity, technical thinking, life skills—and yes, they’re fun and deeply engaging. If you are a SchoolhouseTeachers.com member, don’t forget to submit your learners’ best elective work to the upcoming Art & Photography Fair for recognition!

Showcase Your Creativity in the 2025 Virtual Art and Photography Fair!

Are you or your student an aspiring artist or budding photographer? It’s time to let your talents shine! The SchoolhouseTeachers.com 2025 Virtual Art and Photography Fair begins September 8, and we’re inviting all student artists and photographers to participate.

All the details and submission guidelines can be found in your Member Dashboard. Don’t miss this chance to be part of something beautiful!/Not a member? Join now with our Lifetime Membership Sale!