After earning my bachelor’s degree in communications and becoming a professional writer, I realized how grateful I am for the Michigan high school I went to because we were fortunate to have creative classes like photography, acting, radio, music theory, creative writing and graphic design at Canton High School. Granted, the graphic design classes we had then would seem archaic to students today; nonetheless, we had them. We also had other writing classes offered, including but not limited to subjects such as:
- Poetry, lyrics, songwriting
- Essay
- Short stories
- Memoir
- Speech (in business class)
- Novel
- Creative nonfiction
- Fiction
- Journals
- Letter
- Plays, Screenplays, Scripts (acting class)
- Drama
- Dialogue
- Flash fiction
- Graphic novel (art class)
- Narration
- Storytelling
- Journalism
- Blogs (not when I was there, but they have it now)
In Pure Michigan, the prestigious music and art school, Interlochen Center for the Arts, offers three-week long creative writing summer camps that cover the following, “When you come to Interlochen this summer, you will:
- Write and reflect in a beautiful natural setting
- Work with incredible faculty and guest artists
- Forge friendships with students from around the world
- Grow your skills and talents as a young writer
Enjoy all the fun of camp including cabin games, traditions, outdoor activities, and more
- Playwriting
- Spoken Word
- Novel Writing,”.
In the high school classrooms of this generation, one could expect that the digital media curriculum would refer to learning any form of content that utilizes digital technology for creation, distribution, and consumption. The courses would include graphic design, video production and video editing, web development, podcasting, animation, and AI (artificial intelligence).
High school creative writing class
By taking these classes in high school, it prepared me for the more difficult writing courses at The University of Michigan.
According to Language Arts Classroom, a high school creative writing class should involve, “Key elements of a creative writing unit include introducing different writing genres, teaching basic writing techniques, encouraging imagination and creativity, providing writing prompts and exercises, offering constructive feedback and revision opportunities, and fostering a supportive writing community.
Creative nonfiction: Memoirs, essays, and hermit-crab essays flood bookstores and journals.
- Nonfiction Narrative Writing
- Object Essay
- How-to Paper
- Sell this Apple
- Profile
Fiction: Fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, romance
- Alternative Point-of-View
- Create a Superhero with a Template
- Product Review
- Character Creation
- Flash Fiction
- Historical Fiction
- Tabloid
- Children’s Book,”.
In addition to the traditional and modern forms of creative writing already mentioned, emerging digital platforms have expanded opportunities for expression. Interactive storytelling, for example, blends writing with game design, allowing writers to create branching narratives for video games or choose-your-own-adventure formats. Podcast scriptwriting is another increasingly popular medium, especially with the rise of narrative and true crime podcasts that rely heavily on compelling storytelling.
Graphic storytelling has also evolved beyond traditional comic strips and into webtoons and digital comics, giving writers and artists a fresh outlet for serialized content. Meanwhile, fan fiction communities offer a welcoming space for writers to hone their skills by reimagining beloved characters in new settings.
Collaborative writing platforms now allow multiple authors to co-create stories in real time, fostering creativity through shared perspectives. Whether through virtual reality storytelling or AI-assisted poetry generation, today’s writers are finding exciting new ways to connect with audiences and push creative boundaries.
Best creative classes in high school
Again, I cannot overstate how grateful I am to have attended such a large and progressive school within the Plymouth-Canton School District. For example, we had two high schools with three buildings on campus. I went to Canton but had many classes at Salem. Today, they have three high schools: Canton, Salem, and Plymouth. I recently heard they are adding a fifth building. Sports are divided among the high schools, but they have one consolidated marching band. Each student is assigned to one high school but can take classes at all three schools, which is why there is such a diverse number of courses offered.
For instance, I was able to take Photography I and II in place of two required chemistry classes, Acting I and II for the two Literature requirements, Radio in lieu of the speech/public speaking class (they have an actual broadcasted radio station which we got to DJ on), and library/media center student assistant and graphic design that covered my computer class requirements.
Additionally, for my elective credits, I took Music Theory, Piano, Guitar I and II, Weight Training I, II, and III, and Aerobics. The physical education requirements were met immediately as I was also a student-athlete and played Varsity Softball for Canton as their starting shortstop.
Of course, there are also other creative classes offered at many high schools like the following:
- History of art
- Animation
- Drawing
- Film production
- Painting
- Advanced Studio Art
- Dance
- Fine arts
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- Theater
- Art Foundations
- Ceramic art
- Jewelry making
- Digital media
- Visual arts
- Digital graphics
- Design
- Graphic design
What made these creative classes stand out the most was not just the variety but the passionate teachers who truly brought the subjects to life. In photography, we learned more than just how to point and shoot — we were taught about composition, lighting, and storytelling through a lens. Furthermore, “back in my day,” when I was in high school, we worked in the darkroom developing black and white photos, so the use of the developing chemicals was why it counted as a science credit.
Our acting instructor encouraged vulnerability and expression, helping even the shyest students find their voice. Radio class gave us a chance to engage with real audiences, teaching communication, timing, and the importance of preparation — all valuable skills that translate far beyond the studio.
Moreover, the integration of creativity into academic credit requirements helped foster a culture where the arts were valued equally with STEM subjects. As a student, this allowed us to balance and explore unconventional paths that were essential for those of us interested in careers in media, advertising, design, or the performing arts. These classes didn’t just fill a schedule — they built my confidence, communication skills, and a creative community in a way that traditional classrooms could not.
Types of creative writing
Creative writing in high school is more than an elective — it’s a launchpad. These diverse, hands-on experiences nurture talent, spark imagination, and prepare students for real-world creative careers in meaningful and lasting ways.