Course

Track

Description

Ethics in Leadership

Leadership

Second Trimester: Students focus on the ways current and emerging leaders can assess the values that influence their actions, as well as anticipate the consequences of those actions. Using classical theories and modern case studies, students begin to locate leadership styles in an ethical context, and to develop and practice reasoning processes of their own.

Robotics

A 21st Century World

Second Trimester:  The Robotics elective asks students to become designers, computer programmers, problem solvers and engineers.  Students are taught the basics of robot construction and programming and by the end of the course must solve complex problems with their Lego Mindstorm Robots.  This challenging and fun elective introduces skills that will be needed in the 21st century.

Profiles in Leadership

Leadership

Second Trimester: In this elective, students explore various leadership models, and study leaders in action and their writings. Students learn through case study and group work the many ways leadership can be executed. By the end of the course students identify their own strengths and weaknesses as leaders and begin to put their particular brand of leadership into practice.

Science Olympiad: Human Body

A 21st Century World

Second Trimester: Curious about why your little brother inherited those big ears and you didn't?  Are you interested in infectious diseases? Do you love working with a microscope?  In Science Olympiad: Human Body, we will focus on three events: Heredity, Disease Detectives, Microbe Mission.  This is a great elective for seventh graders to augment what we are studying in science right now.  It's also fantastic for any student who might pursue a career in Health Sciences one day. 

Drama

The Arts

Second Trimester: The drama elective is designed to stimulate the student’s natural "dramatic" imagination and provide experience and confidence in personal communication. Through free-form, creative role-playing, scene construction, awareness of voice and body, and disciplined dramatic performance, students are given the opportunity to respond emotionally, reflectively, and imaginatively to their world and themselves. 

Personal Finance & Introduction to Investing

A 21st Century World

Second Trimester:  Financial freedom takes you one step closer to independence.  Learn tips and tricks for managing and growing your wealth.  In one semester, you will buy a car, write checks, balance your budget, and play in the stock market.  You will have the opportunity to interact with featured business leaders and will participate in an online simulation to reinforce course objectives.

Microlending

A 21st Century World

Second Trimester: The new micro-finance elective is a kiva.com economics class that seeks to answer the following questions: What is micro lending? Who receives micro loans? Why do they need it? Where are micro loans happening? The first few weeks consist of learning about loans and investing practices, and researching the areas where they will find businesses to support. The class is then divided into "Venture Capitalist Teams," each of which have a Kiva loan portfolio. Every two weeks, teams report to the "board" to defend and refine their portfolio, review and analyze their returns, and discuss strategy.

Yearbook

The Arts

Second Trimester: If you like working on computers using visual software like Photoshop or SMARTboard, you will enjoy working on the yearbook.  And if you like to write, draw and work with a theme, the yearbook is a great opportunity for you to express yourself.  Students will learn to use professional grade software on the Stafford Fine Arts Center MacBooks.  You will be able to choose photos for the yearbook and make vital decisions about how the book looks.  AND, You will see the book before ANYONE!!  

Leadership in Action

Leadership

Second Trimester: In this elective, students take on leadership roles within the school and wider community that allow them to develop their sense of responsibility and leadership style. These roles are carefully selected by the student and faculty. Participants gain essential skills by leading younger students, teaching peers, and facilitating groups, both in the outdoor setting and during service learning experiences.

Mock Trial

A 21st Century World

Second Trimester: Have you ever wanted to experience the thrill of the courtroom?  The  Mock Trial class will give you that experience.  Students will learn  about the American legal system by analyzing the various stages of litigation from the filing of the Complaint, to the review of  

evidence, to the examination of witnesses, to the actual presentation  

of the case in a courtroom.  This study will prepare the class to put  

on a real trial at the end of the trimester.  The class will be  

divided into two teams, one Plaintiff's team and one Defense team, and  

each team will prepare its case for trail.  The trail will be open to  

the public and be scored by a group of real attorneys.  This class is  

not for the faint of heart!