Hillsborough High School is introducing a new elective: a dance class starting in the 2026-2027 school year. This is an exciting opportunity for students to grow. My name is Sophia Bianco, a junior studying journalism, on the Varsity Hillsborough Dance Team, and enrolls time with an outside studio team. I highly encourage all students to invest thought into taking this new elective. 

What is this elective about? 

The main focus of this class will be the art of dance. Students will learn the history of dance and how the craft of dance has changed over time. Students will also develop an understanding of the use of expressions and execution of the performance aspects. Most importantly, students will learn how to move the body. The goal in this class is not to define yourself as a good dancer or not, it’s about learning how to feel and use feelings to express yourself while having fun doing so. 

Statistics

This class will be split into three different levels. The first two levels are introductory/exploratory levels. Level three is the advanced level. Level three requires an audition that will either be held two days in August or two days in the first week of September. This elective is still in development so exact details on auditions are not released yet. The introductory levels are for beginner dancers and students who do not know much about dance but have interest in it. Level three is for the intermediate/advanced dancers. Levels one and two are semester based courses and level three is a full year course. In order to be in level two, the students have to take level one and to be in level three the students have to take both introductory levels. If this elective becomes a popular choice then a level four may be created and considered as the honors level. The way this structure is defined is also an attempt to allow it to count as a PE credit for a semester. Instead of taking a selectable unit in gym class there is the choice to participate in this class as an alternative. So, this dance class is an academic and physical elective. This course will be counted as a CP class which also benefits a student in terms of their GPA. 

As mentioned, this being a new elective in development, if a student is unsure of applying it they should go based off of their interest in dance overall and their dance background. The final curriculum for this elective will be finalized by the end of the 2025-2026 school year to be ready for the start of next year. 

What will each level teach?

Students of all levels will learn all styles of dance and understand how to move their body safely. The first level has a focus on the foundation and history of dance. Level two involves more movement and learning more styles of dance extended from level one. Level three includes more chances to choreograph and perform throughout the year. Showcases will be held at HHS for the students to show off what they have been learning in class to their families, friends, and teachers. This is a thrilling idea because showcases can lead to higher level opportunities such as state or national competitions in which high school dance programs can enter. 

Who is the teacher? 

Ms. Krick, a PE health educator, will be teaching this class. She has her PE in Health Teaching certification and she did her undergrad in Dance Education from Rider University. She was hired to work in PE in health this year since Hillsborough does not have a dance curriculum yet. She will be transitioning into teaching this new class next year.

District Supervisor of Visual & Performing Arts and Related Areas, Dr. Christopher Ireland said, “She is a powerhouse of a candidate because she can help us offer it all to you guys.” She takes classes in New York City, participates in her own hip hop group outside of school, and teaches privately for kids of all ages, including adults. 

Why take this elective? 

In 2012, New Jersey required dance as a subject that should be offered to students Kindergarten to college. Dr. Ireland and Principal Jeffery DiLollo recognized this visual performing arts standard to be an area of study that HHS is lacking. Due to this, the dance elective came to mind to allow students to explore freedom in their creativity. It’s an elective with positive mental health benefits and impacts a student greatly socially and academically. 

 “You’re your biggest roadblock. You guys are young and you still say, ‘the world’s looking at me. I can’t possibly go do that, everyone will stare at me.’ When you’re my age, you realize that no one cares. Just go be you and find classes that bring you joy. Expose yourself to some different things and have fun while doing it because before you know it, you will be in college and jobs are getting real,” Dr. Ireland said. 

The head coach of the Hillsborough Dance Team and teacher herself at Amsterdam Elementary School, Kristen Comune, was put on the curriculum for this elective. 

“There are students that have never danced before but might want to try it and they may realize that they fall in love with it. It could be something that they want to continue pursuing in so many ways such as competitive or recreational,” Comune said.

Junior on Varsity Hillsborough Dance Team, Jordyn McKenna, talks about her personal takeaways with dance and why others should try it. 

“It allows me to meet new people and be part of the school community. I could never imagine my life without dance. It has a big impact on my life. For students taking this future elective, they will meet new people and connect with them. That is the best part,” McKenna said.