Starting in 2023, New Trier will launch a new applied arts course called “Urban Design and Development.”

This new class will be the fifth course under the “Construction, Woodworking and Fabrication” category at New Trier, as Applied Arts continues to be a rapidly growing subject across the country.

Applied Arts Department Chair Jason Boumstein said that the core of this new class is designed to be unique with every student. 

New Trier High School states that the Applied Arts Department mission is to provide hands-on, real-world experiences in architecture, design, engineering, technology, automotives, culinary/hospitality, and child development. 

Student of the current Skilled Trades and Emerging Careers course, junior Connor Burke, said he would take the new class if offered, because he enjoys the hands-on experience that the “Construction, Woodworking and Fabrication” courses present. 

“I feel like the different skills you learn in these classes are very instrumental in my everyday life, and taking the next step in Applied Arts”, Burke said. 

New Trier junior Reid Keller said he would also take the new course next year if possible. 

“I like the civilization aspect of the new course, so I’d definitely give it a try if I had the chance. I like how immersive the Applied Arts courses are, and this one especially would be something new to take, with all of the project-based learning,” Keller said. 

Boumstein said he first got into teaching applied arts “because of the joy of being able to teach something authentic,” a key theme in the New Trier Applied Arts Department. 

When asked about the chance of bringing another Applied Arts course to New Trier, Boumstein also said how students are looking for different types of Artificial Intelligence courses. Boumstein also mentioned the possibility of an Aerospace course coming to New Trier. All potential course selection suggestions come from student feedback.

The new Urban Design and Development course will be available to all students on the Winnetka Campus beginning in the fall of 2023.