Required Courses

Select ONE

ELA 8

 (#1084)

ELA 8 Pre-AP

(#1087)

*ELA  8 GT Pre-AP

(#1088)                       Choice # ______

Select ONE

Math 8

(#2080)

              MS Algebra I Pre-AP                                      

                         (#2121)                                                              

Geometry 1 Pre-AP

(#2352)

Select ONE

US History 8

(#4080)

US History 8 Pre-AP

(#4081)

*US History 8 GT Pre-AP

(#4085)                         Choice # ______

Select ONE

Science 8

(#3080)

Science 8 Pre-AP

(#3081)

*Science 8 GT Pre-AP

(#3082)                         Choice # ______

Select ONE

Physical Education (PE)

(#5080)

Athletics

Boys (#5085)

OR

Girls (#5086)

Dance 1 PE  (#5091)

Or

Dance S 2 PE (#5092)

Or

Dance 3 PE (#5093)

These courses serve  as a substitute for Physical Education (PE).  To take this course as an elective only, please see the “Elective Courses” section below.

Select

Methodology for Academic and Personal Success-MAPS

(#9002)

Methodology for Academic and Personal Success--MAPS (0.5 High School credit) and Communication Applications (0.5 High School credit) and are required for all 8th grade students and may not be taken in isolation. Students selecting AVID 1 (elective course)  are exempt from this requirement.  

See page 22 of the Course Catalog for additional information.

Select

Communication Applications

(#1907)

*Must be identified as an NISD GT student to enroll in one of these classes.  Students will select only ONE of these options

 (ELA, US History or Science) as part of the GT program.  See page 6 of the Course Catalog for additional information.  

Elective Courses (Elective choice offerings/descriptions start on page 24 in the Course Catalog)

Please select 2 elective choices and 2 alternate choices.

                                   Elective Course Name                                                              Course Number

  6017 Beginner Band

Band Beginner Level is designed to teach students how to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument.  No prior music experience or knowledge is required.  Students will learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music.  Students can develop skills at their own pace.  Band concerts allow students to experience live performance.  Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

6024 Intermediate Band

Band Intermediate Level is designed for students to continue developing music fundamentals on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments introduced in the beginner level class.  Students build skills at their own pace.  Band literature is more advanced and promotes increased teamwork, kinesthetic development, expression, leadership, and problem solving skills.  Band concerts include music of all styles.  Students earn awards for individual and ensemble mastery of skills.

6032 Advanced Band

Band Advanced Level is designed for students to apply sound music fundamentals on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments to music of all styles.  Students build skills at their own pace.  Band literature is advanced and promotes extensive collaboration, expression, creativity, and problem-solving techniques. Students engage in multiple concerts.  Students earn awards for individual and ensemble mastery of skills.

6081 Jazz Band

This course is designed for intermediate or advanced level students interested in an enrichment opportunity to learn how to play jazz literature. All jazz styles and genres of music are explored and an introduction to improvisation is provided. No prior knowledge of jazz is required. Students participating in this course are concurrently enrolled in band class to ensure continued development of music fundamentals.  

6079 BEGINNING ORCHESTRA

Orchestra Beginner Level is designed to teach students how to play a violin, viola, cello, or string bass instrument.  No prior music experience or knowledge is required.  Students will learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music.  Students can develop skills at their own pace.  Orchestra concerts allow students to experience live performance.   Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

6086 Intermediate Orchestra

Orchestra Intermediate Level is designed for students to continue developing music

fundamentals on violin, viola, cello, and string bass instruments introduced in the beginner level class.  Orchestra literature is more advanced and promotes increased teamwork, kinesthetic development, expression, leadership, and problem-solving skills.  Orchestra concerts include music of all styles.  Students earn awards for individual and ensemble mastery of skills.

6089 Advanced Orchestra

Orchestra Advanced Level is designed for students to apply strong music fundamentals on violin, viola, cello, and string bass instruments to music of all styles.  Students build skills at their own pace.  Orchestra literature is advanced and promotes extensive collaboration, expression, creativity, and problem-solving techniques.  Orchestra concerts are extensive.  Students earn awards for individual and ensemble mastery of skills.

6411 Intermediate Treble (GIRLS)

6412 Intermediate Tenor Bass (BOYS) CHOIR

Choir is an intermediate level course designed for students to continue developing music fundamentals introduced in the beginner level class.  Students build skills at their own pace.  Choir literature is more advanced and promotes increased teamwork, kinesthetic development, expression, leadership, and problem solving skills.  Choir concerts include music of all styles.  Students earn awards for individual and ensemble mastery of skills.

6423 Advanced Treble Choir (GIRLS)

6424 Advanced Tenor Bass Choir (BOYS)

This course is designed for students to apply strong music fundamentals developed in beginner and intermediate level courses. Students build skills at their own pace. Choir literature is advanced and promotes extensive collaboration, expression, creativity, and problem-solving techniques.

 1702 Journalism  (Yearbook)

This course provides the study of current print and digital trends in yearbook design, layout, and publishing in order to develop and produce the school  yearbook. Coursework includes gathering and analyzing information, photography, and  specialized writing.

1700 Journalism (Broadcast)

Students must have already completed Beginning or Intermediate Theater in order to    enroll. Coursework includes learning basic video and sound editing techniques as well as basic film terms and vocabulary.  While working towards the purpose of producing weekly morning announcements, students will learn the role and function of broadcast journalism, critiquing and analyzing the significance of visual representations; and to create and produce a broadcast journalism product.

   Students will be introduced to the safe use of lighting, sound and video recording    equipment to effectively enhance theatrical productions. Students will gain an

appreciation for the technical aspects of media production and recognize themselves as a creative part of a production team.

   6609 Beginning Theatre

Beginning Theatre is an introductory theatre course designed for the student to experience the basic elements of drama.  No previous theatre or drama experience is required.  Beginning acting and technical theatre techniques will be explored along with the basic skills needed to create a theatrical performance.

6610 Intermediate Theatre

Intermediate Theatre is a more in-depth study of theatre where students continue to build upon skills learned in Theatre 1.  Students are introduced to additional skills that are necessary to become a theatre artist.  Dramatic structure, acting, and technical elements are expanded in both production and scene studies.

6615 Advanced Theatre

Advanced Theatre is an advanced theatre class that requires students to enhance skills learned in Beginning and Intermediate through analysis of theatrical concepts and practices.  Students engage in research, creative thinking, problem solving, and improvisation that is transferred to collaborative production.

  6913 Art 1 HS--HS Credit

High School Art I is concept-based and is an exploratory introduction to high school art. Curriculum includes all art media to allow students to acquire a general understanding of the principles of art and technique applications. Content will include some student originality, creativity, and study of artists and art periods.

  6914 Advanced Art HS--HS Credit

   This high school credit course is designed for the middle school student who has completed Beginner Art MS 1 and Intermediate Art MS 2 and wishes to continue the study of art at a rigorous level. Students investigate and apply techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking, 3-D art forms, fiber, digital art and compositions of mixed media. Students work toward mastery level in originality and creativity. Students personalize their learning and design their curriculum to enrich peaked interest in mastery of art skills. The course is designed for students with high interest in rich art experiences.

    6810 Dance  1

The first dance course in middle school is designed to give students the opportunity to develop and execute beginner skills in ballet, jazz, tap, modern dance, musical theatre dance, and world dance forms.

6820 Dance 2

The second of three sequential dance courses, Dance 2 is designed to give students the opportunity to develop and execute intermediate skills in ballet, jazz, tap, modern dance, musical theatre dance, and world dance forms.

6830 Dance 3

The third of three sequential dance courses, Dance 3 is designed to give students the opportunity to develop and execute advanced skills in ballet, jazz, tap, modern dance, musical theatre dance, and world dance forms. Various dance genres and styles will be explored while improving their technique, self-confidence, creative ability ,and concept of wellness. Dance students will have ensemble performance opportunities.

Prerequisite (PR): Dance MS 2

5714 Spanish 1 MS---HS Credit 

This course focuses on developing speaking and listening comprehension skills. Students are exposed to basic reading and writing skills. Students are introduced to the people, their customs, and other aspects of their culture. Students have the opportunity to work in pairs and small groups to role play real ­life situations using the target language. PREREQUISITE: None

5715 Spanish 2--HS Credit

This course continues to focus on opportunities for students to expand their speaking and listening comprehension skills in addition to developing their reading comprehension and writing skills. Students continue to study the culture, the people, and their customs. Students will continue to role play and perform dialogues and skits in a variety of everyday situations and topics using the target language.

5732 Spanish 2 Pre-AP--HS Credit

This course exceeds the Level 2 requirements by including many independent activities requiring performance in the target language. The students will continue to refine the four modes of communication by being exposed to an enriched and accelerated curriculum.

 9054 Avid 1--HS Credit 

This course serves as a substitute for Communication Applications and    Methodology for Academic and Personal Success (MAPS). Students who successfully complete AVID 1 will fulfill the NISD Speech requirement for high school graduation. AVID 1 is an academic elective course that prepares students for college readiness and success. Each week, students receive instruction utilizing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, tutor-facilitated study groups, motivational activities and academic success skills. In AVID, students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading to support their academic growth.

 8801  PBS Future Lab 8 (Public & Business Services Related Careers)

This is a lab- and project-based course in which students will participate in experiences that model real -world industries. The goal of this course is to create a foundation for success in high school, future studies, and careers in Business, Industry, and Public Service. Career and Technical Education clusters addressed include Agriculture, Business/Finance, Culinary, Education, Fashion, Health Science, and Marketing. Students will research labor market information, learn job-seeking skills, and practice professional communication skills. Career and Technical Education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed in current or emerging professions

8459 Principles of Human Services--HS Credit

This course will assess the relationship between health and wellness and personal and professional achievement. Students will evaluate the effects of crises, stress, and domestic violence on individuals and the family and recognize appropriate responses and management strategies. Students will identify the basic needs of children as well as caregiver guidelines that promote safe and healthy child development. Students will create meals according to dietary guidelines. Students will create written and electronic records of client services for cosmetology, fashion design, and interior design.

8811  STEM Future Lab 8 (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Related Careers)

This is a lab- and project-based course in which students will participate in experiences that model real -world industries. The goal of this course is to create a foundation for success in high school, future studies, and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Career and Technical Education clusters addressed include Architecture, Arts & Audio Video, Construction, Engineering, Information Technology (Cyber), Law (Forensics), Manufacturing, and Transportation (Automotive). Students will research labor market information, learn job-seeking skills, and practice professional communication skills. Career and Technical Education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed in current or emerging professions.

8729 Principles of Applied Engineering--HS Credit                                     This course provides an overview of the various fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and their interrelationships. Working on design teams, students will use multiple computer hardware and software applications to conduct research, design and create projects, and present ideas related to biotechnology, electronics, robotics, and automation. Students will use appropriate tools and demonstrate safe work habits.  

 9471 Study Hall  

Study Hall is a designated class period during the school day that provides a structured time for students to work on homework, research, projects, or other assignments.

 9023 Office Assistant 

Students assist school personnel in the front office,

counseling office, attendance office, library, and vice-principal’s office. Selection is based on communication skills, grades, citizenship, and attendance. Due to COVID, we may not be able to offer this opportunity.