ELECTIVES - Middle School & High School

Art Appreciation is the study and analysis of art, focusing on the cultural, historical, and aesthetic contexts in which it was created. The intended goal of this course is for students to develop a deeper understanding of art’s significance, impact, and relevance to society. Art appreciation is not limited to a specific medium or style, but rather a wide range of artistic expressions, including visual arts, music, literature, and performance.

In Bible Study I, students will identify how the world began according to the biblical perspective. They will learn about key figures in the Bible such as Adam & Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Esther, King David, Ruth, JESUS, Apostle Paul, and the impact their lives made on society during their lifetimes.  

Bible Study II will dig deeper into the scriptures and the students will interpret, analyze, and discuss how the WORD can be applied in their own personal lives. This course will include a capstone project where students will choose one significant figure from the Bible and complete a historical timeline of his or her life and the impact his or her life made on mankind in our current society.

Business and Finance is a course that explores the unique challenges native to service-based industries, connecting to concepts learned in marketing and human resources. This course arms students with knowledge about how to make personal financial decisions, and how these decisions affect other individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. Students will understand the importance of solid financial management and how to allocate funds via the use of a checkbook, banking account, and online apps.

French I emphasizes communicative proficiency, with special attention to the development of oral and listening skills, self-expression, and cultural insights. Classroom activities are varied and interactive and are focused on acquiring all four language competencies (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) concurrently in the context of a cultural narrative. Free-form classroom interactions are balanced with structured grammar and vocabulary drills.

French II is an intensive program for students who have received formal instruction in French, and who have achieved some proficiency but are not yet able to function independently in full immersion.  The class has the following goals:
1. Developing listening comprehension, oral competence, and socio-cultural communicative proficiency.
2. Acquisition of strategies for oral and written expression through progressive practice, with topical review of basic conjugated and syntactic structures.
3. An overview of various cultural aspects of French-speaking communities worldwide, through readings and recordings.

Home Economics, also known as family and consumer science, is a subject concerning cooking, nutrition, housekeeping, personal finance, personal wellness, and consumer issues. Students will explore several career paths that involve Home Economics and its related elective subjects. These include professional catering services, hospitality services, and nursing, just to name a few.

Introduction to Music covers the language of music, including listening, reading, and writing exercises. It covers basic elements such as melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, and form, and analyzes significant periods of musical history.

Physical Fitness & Health Awareness aims to develop students' physical fitness, motor skills, and knowledge of healthy lifestyles. It includes various activities, such as sports and exercises, improvement of physical ability, teamwork, and social skills. Additionally, the health strand focuses on health-related fitness, environmental awareness, and safety practices.

Spanish I emphasizes communicative proficiency, with special attention to the development of oral and listening skills, self-expression, and cultural insights. Classroom activities are varied and interactive and are focused on acquiring all four language competencies (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) concurrently in the context of a cultural narrative. Free-form classroom interactions are balanced with structured grammar and vocabulary drills.

Spanish II is an intensive program for students who have received formal instruction in Spanish, and who have achieved some proficiency but are not yet able to function independently in full immersion.  The class has the following goals:
1. Developing listening comprehension, oral competence, and socio-cultural communicative proficiency.
2. Acquisition of strategies for oral and written expression through progressive practice, with topical review of basic conjugated and syntactic structures.
3. An overview of various cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking communities worldwide, through readings and recordings.

Students need to understand how to think critically, observe, communicate effectively, find patterns, solve problems, analyze information, predict outcomes, and work collaboratively. These are all skills necessary to succeed in life outside of school, and STEAM projects and activities are designed to bring these skills to the surface. STEAM projects foster engagement and excitement in learning.

Some examples of STEAM activities are:
1. Cleaning your home
2. Driving
3. Baking & cooking
4. Spending money
​5. Coding
6. Creating ​robots
7. Graphic design

STEAM lets students connect their STEM learning through design practices and innovation in the arts. All materials at the students' disposal can be used to build robots. The goal is for the students to connect every project made to real-life situations.

This course introduces students to the theatrical arts. The course will emphasize creativity, collaboration, and perseverance. Areas covered in depth include theater vocabulary, roles in the theater, movement, acting, the reading of plays, theater design and technology, and viewing theatrical performances.