Advanced Computers

In this course, students will expand various computer skills including word processing, spreadsheets, and web design. Other topics include PowerPoint presentations, digital storytelling, and database design. Software programs explored by students include Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop, and Microsoft Office.

Anatomy & Physiology

As an elective, this course challenges students with a general survey of human anatomy and physiology. Topics include the four basic tissues, skeletal and muscular systems, gas exchange, circulatory system, digestive system, excretory system, nervous system, and reproductive system.

Choral Music

This course is a non-auditioned choral group that regularly performs in our school and community. Instruction in the class will focus on how to sing properly while using and understanding the printed score. Emphasis is placed on sight-reading, vocal blend, harmonization and exploration of various music genres.

Drama

This course will afford students an opportunity to acquire and improve skills in acting in the theatre. The students will examine the actor’s tools and resources while experiencing the process of performance preparation. Students will be required to prepare and present scenes, monologues, pantomimes and other presentation for the purpose of learning to express emotions through the voice, body movements and facial expressions. Public performances are a requirement of this course.

Drawing & Painting

Drawing and Painting will be a creative endeavor and analysis of the Fine Arts, drawing and painting. The course will include the study of art as it reflects the self, community, and social values. Students will draw upon the principles and elements of design as well as techniques in various media within each component. Class time will encourage active study, creation, re-creation, and complete participation. Students will be accountable for creating journals, portfolios, sketched artworks, and exhibit works, Many works will be evaluated, critiqued, and presented throughout the semester building skills in public speaking, confidence in presenting ones ideas and interpretations as well as learning effective questioning and preparations of comments. All works will be driven to uplift, strengthen, reflect, and/or support the positive influences of God’s grace and beauty bestowed upon us. To discover and build upon God’s given talents in creation and creativity through the visual arts.

Exploration of Fine Arts

Exploration of the Arts will be a creative endeavor and analysis of the four major components of the Visual Arts; Fine, Art, Dance, Drama, and Music. The course will include the study of art as it reflects the self, community, and social values. Students will draw upon the elements within each component and the connectivity throughout all the art forms. Class time will be divided between the four components to encourage active study, creation, recreation, movement, staging, and complete participation. Students will be accountable for creating journals, portfolios, sketched works, exhibit works, dramatic skits and movement. Many works will be evaluated, critiqued, and presented through the semester. All works will be driven to uplift, strengthen, reflect, and/or support the positive influences of God’s grace and beauty bestowed upon us. To discover and build upon God’s given talents in creation and creativity through the four disciplines of art.

Financial Math

Financial Math introduces students to the world of personal finance – a skill crucial in today’s world.  This financial preparation course teaches students financial planning, responsibility, and money management.  They will learn the realities of credit, savings and investments as well as taking responsibility for their financial decisions. The topics covered will be saving, investing, credit and debit, income and careers, risk management and financial responsibility.

Instrumental Music

In this course, students are held to high standards of ensemble playing, being challenged each day toward musical proficiency. In this course students focus on developing fully mature tone quality, strong technical skills, superior phrasing and musicianship, as well as music theory concepts. Students in this course are featured during various concerts and school assemblies throughout the year.

International Affairs

This course is designed to develop an appreciation for the multi-disciplinary aspects of international affairs. The curriculum exposes students to political questions about security, diplomacy, and power relations among nations; the nature of political life in other societies; the development of economic relationships within and between nations; the historical and cultural origins of American, European, Asian, Latin American, and African nations.

Law & Justice in Society

The class examines the concepts of natural law/social justice versus positive (man-made) law moving into a study of our American legal system and a history of the Supreme Court. Students will develop an understanding of basic constitutional law with a focus on the Bill of Rights. We will study historic Supreme Court decisions to understand the foundation for modern day constitutional conflicts. Specific topics may include basic human rights, First Amendment rights (freedom of speech, press, religion and association), discrimination / affirmative action, rights of the accused and the controversy surrounding the death penalty. The course includes a comparison of American jurisprudence with international human rights law.

Physical Education

Students in Physical Education participate in a number of different fitness related sports and activities. Students develop skills in life-long sports and activities such as lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, power-walking, jogging, and strength training.

Psychology

This course encourages students to understand human behavior. Topics include current psychological concepts, self-awareness strategies, and personality traits. Additionally, students will engage in experiments to investigate human interaction, sociological tendencies, and experimental design.

World Religions

Because globalization has become a reality in the 21st century, understanding cultural differences in our world will be a necessary skill for our students as they continue to grow as global citizens. This course will introduce students to the history, beliefs, and practices of six popular religious traditions in our world today: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Confucianism, Shintoism, and Buddhism. The main goal of this class will be to encourage a greater appreciation for the diversity of the world and its belief systems by allowing students to compare and contrast these six major religions and analyze how they influence and shape cultures today.

Yearbook

In this course, students participate in the production of the school yearbook, The Journey. During class, students learn how to conduct interviews, write copy, take photographs and design computer layouts. Students create yearbook spreads by compiling the information onto Jostens' publishing software YearTech® Online. Students also acquire computer graphic skills using Adobe Photoshop®. Students assume responsibility for producing assigned pages of the yearbook that requires additional work outside of class. Outside of class, students are expected to attend events, take photographs, conduct interviews and collect information for assignments.