Bellbrook High to offer 3‑D design, AP cybersecurity and intro to criminal justice in 2026‑27

Bellbrook High School will add three new elective courses for 2026‑27: 3‑D Design (a studio course covering sculpture in clay, metal and wood), AP Cybersecurity (a one‑credit AP course), and an Introduction to Criminal Justice and the Law elective, the high school principal told the board Jan. 7.

Principal said the school currently offers 17 AP courses, several in‑house CCP options (including biomed), and partnerships with the career center. He also described a recent state change that requires certain career‑center (CTAG/ITEC) courses to be weighted the same as AP and CCP courses for students' GPA calculations, and said guidance on which career‑center offerings qualify is forthcoming.

The principal highlighted college‑and‑career pathways and invited families to scheduling night on Feb. 12 — held the same evening as parent‑teacher conferences — when departments will share information and students can review elective options. Board members asked whether any existing courses would be dropped; administration said no courses are being removed, though some sections may change based on enrollment.

The board acknowledged the growth of AP/CCP options and asked administration to provide clarity to families about weighted grades and the implications for honors calculations during handbook review.