by Caroline Barker (Posted on October 22, 2026 @ 12:15 p.m.)

Mule Time Media was voted the most liked elective at Alamo Heights Junior School in a recent survey, even though Band currently has the highest enrollment. Alamo Heights Junior School conducted the online survey on October 14. Of approximately 1,100 students at AHJS, 573 students responded. Mule Time Media received 30% of votes, followed by Theatre with 18%, Orchestra with 13.8%, Band with 13.1%, Art with 11.5%, Tech Theatre with 6.6%, and Choir with 7%.

The survey results, however, do not reflect current enrollment numbers. Mrs. Godfrey, one of the school counselors, said Band’s higher enrollment may be connected to promotion. This year, the Band has 184 students enrolled. Band directors visited Woodridge and Cambridge elementaries to introduce the program to incoming sixth graders.

Despite Band’s enrollment advantage, some students who chose Mule Time Media said they value the program’s approach. Eighth-grader Eleanor Oldham said she chose Mule Time Media because of the class structure and teaching approach. “I like that Mule Time Media is fun and independent, and I also like that Mr. Boylan lets us use AI to help us understand,” Oldham said. Unlike some electives that follow a fixed curriculum, Mule Time Media allows students to pursue projects based on their interests, whether that’s podcasting, photography, or writing. Some of the projects Mule Time Media students create are podcasts, news articles, videos, yearbook content, and social media posts for the school community to enjoy. Students choose their own projects and manage their own deadlines.

Beyond the program’s structure, another unexpected factor influencing Mule Time Media’s popularity is Mr. Boylan’s dog, Buzz. When asked whether students choose the class because of Buzz or because they are interested in journalism, yearbook, and photography, Boylan acknowledged both reasons play a role. “I think it’s a mix of all those things, to be honest,” Boylan said. This suggests that while students may be drawn to the class for different reasons, the presence of a classroom dog adds appeal alongside the program’s journalism opportunities.

Promotion, according to Mrs. Godfrey, plays a significant role in enrollment across all electives, not just Mule Time Media. “It really depends on if the elective teacher decides to promote. In the years that maybe they don’t promote as much, we will see a drop,” Godfrey said. Elective teachers may visit elementary schools, demonstrate what students will learn, or explain the benefits of joining their program. These promotional efforts help students understand what each elective offers before making their choice.

But promotion is not the only factor. Godfrey said friendships play a role in which electives students select. “I think it’s a balance. I definitely think students influence other students to go with them,” Godfrey said.

Other than friendships, time commitment is another factor that influences elective enrollment. “There are some programs that require more outside commitment to complete the course,” Godfrey said. She also explained that students choose language electives like Spanish, Latin, or French because they know that if they complete them in middle school, they won’t have to do them in high school, giving them more free time to do sports and clubs.

While students consider multiple factors when choosing electives, the school faces its own limitations. Teacher qualifications determine which electives the school can offer. Godfrey explained that instructors must meet specific certification requirements before they can teach certain courses. “For example, our theatre teachers have to have a certification in drama and arts,” Godfrey said. This certification requirement means students cannot always take the elective they request, and the school cannot add new electives immediately, even if students request them, because finding qualified teachers takes time.

The survey results suggest that student interest does not always match enrollment numbers. While Band remains the largest program, Mule Time Media’s popularity in the survey shows that students value electives offering independence and creative choice. Godfrey said elective enrollment will likely continue to depend on promotion, teacher availability, and student preferences. The survey results may help the school understand which program features students value most when choosing electives.