26 Aug Fresh Electives, Familiar Passion: SET High’s Fall Course Lineup
SET High believes that great classes start with great teachers, the kind who build electives around what genuinely excites them. This shared passion shows up in our classrooms every single day, and this fall’s new electives lineup is no exception. Here we highlight a few of the newbies offered right now.
A Perennial Favorite Returns
Debunking Disney is back by popular demand, and it’s a fabulous example of what makes SET…SET. What looks like a fun trip down memory lane is actually a masterclass in critical thinking and media literacy. Students dig into beloved stories and ask the bigger questions: Who’s telling this story, and why? What messages are hiding in plain sight? (Honors option available for students who want to go even deeper.)
Where Science Meets Psychology
Behind the Mind is a brand-new hybrid course exploring where biology and psychology intersect. It’s a perfect fit for curious students who want to understand how the brain actually works, from the chemistry behind emotions to the science behind decision-making.
Three Brand-New Performing Arts Classes
This is the big one: SET is expanding its Performing Arts offerings with three brand-new electives, all taught by professionally trained actors with BFA degrees.
- On SET introduces students to the basics of filmmaking: writing a short script, acting on camera, and even self-tape auditions. Students also get to analyze their favorite movies through in-class viewings and discussion.
- SET the Stage brings live theatre to life through field trips to professional plays, in-class scenework, and monologues, plus a behind-the-curtain look at set design, costumes, and makeup.
- Sketch Acting teaches the fundamentals of sketch writing, directing, and performing through improv games, warmups, and pitch meetings that challenge students to think on their feet.
Why Fresh Classes Keep Happening at SET
None of this is an accident. At most schools, the course catalog is fixed from the top down. At SET, teachers are given the room — and the trust — to design classes around their own passions and expertise. It’s one of the many reasons we love being a charter school. It’s also a big part of why SET High has now been named a three-time California Distinguished School, recognition that reflects a campus where creativity isn’t the exception, it’s the standard.
Our 4×4 block schedule makes all of this possible, giving students in grades 9-12 room for electives like these on top of core academics, without sacrificing depth in either.
Explore the Full Catalog
New electives are added every semester, which means there’s always something new to discover. Current SET families can check out the full course catalog on our website and talk with their student’s counselor about adding one of these classes to next semester’s schedule.
Not enrolled? It’s not too late — there’s still time to join us! Visit https://sethigh.org/enroll-now/ to enroll for the 2026-2027 school year, or call (858) 874-4338 to schedule a tour or shadow day.
About SET High
SET High offers each student individual attention from multi-talented, highly qualified teachers. Students at our three times awarded California Distinguished School build a healthy camaraderie with classmates inside an intellectually rigorous environment that brings out their talents and personality, helping them develop their individual character and direction in life. With a wide variety of electives, flexible scheduling, dual enrollment college classes and more — our students regularly exceed their academic and personal expectations. Enroll now. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Find us at www.sethigh.org.