Academics

Course Catalog

ENGLISH

English I, II, III, IV
• 1 credit each

Early Start English Composition
• 1 credit
• Partnership with SLU

Speech III
• 1 credit
• An introduction to verbal and nonverbal communication. A study of the voice and body as tools of communication. An introduction to public speaking, oral interpretation, theater, parliamentary procedure, discussion, debate, and media.
• Grades 9-12

Speech IV
• 1 credit
• A course in theater and performing arts. Students will learn will learn all aspects of play production including acting, stagecraft, directing, costuming, and make-up. Students will be required to take part in a full length production annually. Auditions will be held for students wishing to take this course who have not taken Speech III. Students taking both of these courses will fulfill the Fine Arts requirement for TOPS.
• Grades 10-12

MATHEMATICS

Transition to Math Studies, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II
• 1 credit each

Advanced Math Pre-Calculus Honors
• 1 credit
• Trigonometry. Prerequisite: Geometry and Algebra II.
• Grades 11 and 12

Early Start College Algebra
• 1 credit
• Partnership with SLU

SCIENCE

Physical Science, Biology
• 1 credit each

Biology II                                                                            
• 1 credit
• A more in-depth study of Biology I. (Fee $10). Prerequisite: Biology.                      
• Grades 11-12                                                           

Chemistry
• 1 credit
• A study of matter and changes that matter goes through. Some of the course matter includes: the periodic table, lab experiments and advanced mathematics. Required for TOPS. (Fee: $10)
• Grades 11-12

Advanced Placement Chemistry
• 1 credit
• Prerequisite: Chemistry (Fee: $10)
• Grade 12

Early Start Medical Terminology
• 1 credit
• The course introduces students to terminology used in the health professions. (Fee: $10)
• Grades 11-12

Early Start First Responder
• 1 credit
• Students learn the skills needed to perform CPR. (Fee: $10)
• Grades 11-12

Environmental Science
• 1 credit
• An overview of global problems, solutions, biodiversity, global warming, acid rain, ozone depletion, pollution, populations, energy and cycles in nature.
• Grades 11-12

Physics
• 1 credit
• Theoretical and investigative approach to measurement, motion, forces, work power, energy, thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism, sound, and light. Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry, and completion of/or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II.
• Grade 11-12

SOCIAL STUDIES
World Geography, Civics, American History
• 1 credit each

Psychology
• 1 credit
• Study of general psychology, heredity, environment, intelligence, motivation, behavior, and the nature of personality. Critical Thinking, reading lessons, and research paper required.
• Grades 11-12

Sociology
• 1 credit
• Basic sociological study of the institutional behavior of society, including religion , politics, and domestic life and the inflence of geography, population, and cultural development in human behavior. Critical thinking and reading lessons required.
• Grades 11-12

World History Honors
• 1 credit
• Survey of history of the world from prehistoric man to the present with emphasis on the great periods of the renaissance, reformation, development of nation, states, and world conflicts. Social Studies fair project required
• Grades 9-12

BUSINESS

Introduction to Business Computer Applications
• 1 credit
• Applies keyboarding skills using Office 2007 software. Students will learn to make changes in documents by using special feature found in Word, Access, Excel, and PowerPoint. Students will also gain knowledge of computers. THIS COURSE SATIFIES THE COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS FOR TOPS. (Fee: $15)
• Grades 9-12

Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG)
• 2 credits
• Combined Fall and Spring Semesters. A program to meet the critical challenge of employment for our State’s youth. Students gain motivation to graduate and begin a career securing a good job and skills for long-term job growth. JLG students undergo a comprehensive program promoting personal and employablilty skills that meets the needs of today’s employers. There are 37 competencies that JLG participants use to have realistic expectations of the workplace, develop good work habits, and know how to learn and perform on the job. Additionally, the program offers students an opportunity to be involved in a Career Association that fosters self-esteem, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• Interview and fee required.

Web Design
• 1/2 credit
• A hands-on class in designing and using web sites. Students will use Microsoft FrontPage 2007 software in this course. Prerequisite: Introduction to Business Computer Application. This course satisfies the computer literacy requirement for TOPS. (Fee: $15)

HOME EC and TECHNOLOGY

Family and Consumer Science
• 1 credit
• Introduction to Home Economics- Basic sewing skills, care and use of the sewing machine, and one sewing construction project. Basic food preparation, nutrition, and consumer economics. (Fee: $20)
• Grades 9-10

Food and Nutrition
• 1/2 credit
• Basic principles of nutrition, table setting, food preparation, use of equipment, and recipes. (Fee: $20)
• Grades 10-12

Advanced Food and Nutrition
• Preparation of party foods, “home-cooking,” special diets, regional foods, current research and trends in meals and preparation. Use of microwave oven. Prerequisite: Food and Nutrition. (Fee: $30)
• Grades 10-12

General Technology Education
• 1 credit
• An introductory course to assist in selecting follow-up courses in subsequent grades; includes introduction to drafting and introduction to basic wood technology. (Fee: $15)
• Grades 9-12

Construction I
• 1 credit
• This course is available to 10th and 11th grade students who are interested in careers in the construction industry. (Engineering, Electrician, Architecture, Design, Estimators, Cabinetmaker, Carpentry, etc.) Topic range from how construction meets the need of society to the actual construction of a structure. Activities include working with construction tools and materials, development of site plans, layout, organizing and supervising a construction project, field trips to job sites, job shadowing, and gues speakers from industry. Upon completion of the 11th grade, the student should attend Cullier Career Center in his/her senior year and become involved in internships in the construction industry.

ART and MUSIC

Art I
• 1 credit
• Introduction to the problems, concepts, fundamentals of design, graphics, sculpture, and painting. (Fee: $20)
• Grades 9-12

Art II
• 1 credit
• Development of concepts and practices in painting, sculpture, and design. Prerequisites: Art I. (Fee: $20)
• Grades 10-12

Art III
• 1 credit
• Further development of techniques and processes of painting or or sculpture. Prerequisite: Art II. (Fee: $20)
• Grades 11-12

Art IV
• 1 credit
• Advanced project. Prerequisite: Art III. (Fee: $20)
• Grade 12

Fine Arts Survey
• 1 credit
• Survey of major periods, artists, and musical forms representative of them- Use of slides, lecture, and discussion. (Fee: $5)
• Grades 12

Beginning Band
• 1 credit
• First year study of a band instrument. No previous playing experience required.
• STUDENTS MUST PROVIDE OWN INSTRUMENTS.

Intermediate Band
• 1 credit
• Instrument study for students who have had at least one year’s experience playing an instrument, but lack proficiency for advanced band.
• STUDENTS MUST PROVIDE OWN INSTRUMENTS.

Advanced Band
• 1 credit
• For students who have achieved reasonable proficiency. Includes theory, sight-reading, scales, and technique development.
• STUDENTS MUST PROVIDE OWN INSTRUMENTS.
• Grades 9-12

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Spanish I
• 1 credit
• Beginning Spanish: emphasis on basic language skills, understanding and speaking the language in a conversational approach, and introduction to reading and writing limited grammar patterns.

Spanish II
• 1 credit
• Intermediate Spanish: emphasis on more intense oral expression, reading, writing, and grammar patterns.

Spanish III
• 1 credit
• Intermediate/Advanced Spanish: emphasis on increased vocabulary usage and on more complex sentence patterns used in oral/written expression and literature.

Spanish IV
• 1 credit
• Advanced Spanish expression and composition: emphasis on original, descriptive, and narrative composition.

PE and ROTC

Physical Education
• A third course in physical education offering a variety of additional elective activities.

ROTC
• 1 credit
• These courses introduce and explore the history of flight, the development of airpower, and the aerospace and space environment. Cadets are introduced to the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Program through basic course work and leadership labs.

ROTC Health
• 1/2 credit
• Covers all state curriculum requirements for health education and is offered in a JROTC leadership education environment. The leadership education environment includes mandatory wear of the ROTC uniform and participation in flight drill and teamwork exercises each week

Survival
• 1 credit
• An advanced course requiring basic knowledge of Air Force training skills