Electives

Electives are an important part of education. They provide opportunities to explore areas of interest and develop a variety of skills.

Elective Class

• Career Exploration
• Child Development
• Creative Writing 1
• Creative Writing II
• Driver Education
• Food/Nutrition
• Graphic Design
• Personal Finance 
• Psychology
• Skills for Success
• Sociology
• Study Skills
• Work Readiness
• World Geography

Career Exploration

• Course Title: Career Exploration
• Course Length: One Semester (5 Credits)
• Grade Level: 9-12
• Prequisite: No Prerequisite – PLANS pathway requirement

Career Exploration teaches self-awareness, decision-making skills, and career exploration. Emphasis is given to self assessment and planning. As students uncover their unique abilities and ambitions, they develop skills and attitudes needed to build successful careers and lives in rapidly changing times. Students must pass Career Exploration with a “B” or better to continue in the PLANS Pathway.

Course Title: Child Development

• Course Length: One Semester (5 credits)
• Grade Level: 9-12
• Prerequisite: No Prerequisite (Elective Credit)

The basis of the course is to provide an opportunity for students to develop his/her understanding of child development. The class will focus on children, parenting, pregnancy, childbirth, childhood ages newborn to age twelve, and health and safety. Students will learn to develop and present their understanding of the material through projects and written responses.

Course Title: Creative Writing 1 CP

• Course Length: One Semester (5 Credits)
• Grade Level: 9-12
• Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation (Based on Writing Level)

The basis of this course is the development of creative writing skills through the elements of the short story. Emphasis is give to the setting, plot, theme, narration, descriptive writing, dialogue, characterization, and imaginative writing. Students will learn to develop and present their creative writing formats that culminate in a short story.

 Course Title: Creative Writing II

• Course Length: One Semester (5 Credits)
• Grade Level: 9-12
• Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation (Based on Writing Level and Completion of Creative Writing I)

The basis of the course is the development of creative writing skills. Emphasis is given to grammar, mechanics, and literary techniques. Students will examine the process of writing. They will learn to recognize the qualities of good writing and apply what they learn to improve their own writing. They will learn to organize, revise, and craft their work into effective prose.

Course Title: Driver Education

• Course Length: One Quarter (2.5 Credits)
• Grade Level: 10-12
• Prerequisite: Students must be 15 1/2 by endof course (Elective Credit)

Course Description: The basis of the course is the development of driving skills. Emphasis is given to rules of the road, DMV handbook and gaining an understanding of the responsibility of driving. Students will study through computer programs, videos, DMV handbook, and a textbook. Completion of this course prepares students to take driver training and then to take the permit test at the DMV.

Course Title: Food/Nutrition

• Course Length: One Semester (5 Credits)
• Grade Level: 9-12
• Prerequisite: No Prerequisite (Elective Credit)

The basis of the course is to provide an opportunity for students to develop his/her understanding of Food and Nutrition. The class will focus on food nutrition, workspace, tools, techniques, consumer decisions, meals, snacks, and international foods. Students will learn to develop and present their understanding of the material through projects and written responses

Course Title: Personal Finance

• Course Length: One Semester (5 Credits)
• Grade Level: 11-12
• Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

The primary purpose of this course is to empower the student in the fundamentals of life skills and the application of mathematics. Students will acquire the ability to create a personal budget, link careers to monetary lifestyles, financial planning, saving and investments and insurance.

Course Title: Psychology CP

• Course Length: One Semester (5 Credits)
• Grade Level: 11-12
• Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation (Academic Elective Credit)

The basis of the course is to provide and opportunity for students to develop his/her understanding of psychology. The class will focus on the biology of behavior, sensations and perception, states of consciousness, learning, memory, cognition and language, intelligence motivation and emotion, development, personality, psychological disorders and treatments, and social psychology. Students will learn to develop and present their understanding of the material through projects and written responses.

Course Title: Skills for Success

• Course Length: One Semester (5 credits)
• Grade Level: Grades 9-11
• Prerequisite: No Prerequisite – PLANS pathway requirement
  Strongly recommended for freshmen and students new to ILP

This is a course designed to help students make a smooth and successful transition to high school. Additionally, this is the first of three required courses for the PLANS Pathway. Students must pass Skills for Success with a “B” or better to continue in the PLANS Pathway. Some of the skills students will acquire include: study, planning, organization, personal development and conflict resolution.

Course Title: Sociology

• Course Length: One Semester (5 Credits)
• Grade Level: 9-12
• Prerequisite: No Prerequisite (Academic Elective Credit)

The basis of this class is to provide and opportunity for students to develop his/her understanding of sociology. The class will focus on society and culture, social structure, continuity and change, social problems, socialization and social instructions. Students will learn to develop and present their understanding of the material through projects and written responses.

Course Title: Study Skills

• Course Length: One Semester (5 Credits)
• Grade Level: 9-12
• Prerequisite: No Prerequisite (Elective Credit)
  Suggested for all New Students

The basis of this class is the development of basic organization, study skills, test taking skills, and writing skills. Emphasis is given to study techniques, reading and writing strategies. Students will learn to develop and present their skills in both written and oral form, while learning to study for all types of courses.

Course Title: Work Readiness

• Course Length: One Semester (5 credits)
• Grade Level: Grade 10-12
• Prerequisite: Must pass Skills for Success and Career Exploration with a “B” or better; PLANS pathway requirement

This course will expand upon what was learned in the Skills for Success and Career Exploration courses and prepare students for the Work Readiness Certificate or the apprenticeship they will be completing the following semester. The purpose of this course is to help students identify work interests and acquire crucial job skills in order to set students on the path toward a successful apprenticeship or job. Students must pass Work Readiness with a “B” or better to continue in the PLANS Pathway.

Course Title: World Geography CP

• Course Length: One Year (10 Credits)
• Grade Level: 9-12
• Prerequisite: No Prerequisite (Academic Elective Credit)
  Suggested for all 9th Grade College Preparatory Students

This course provides a combination of physical and cultural geography. Students will study the land, climate, vegetation, population, history, government, culture, and current issues in the ten geographic regions of the world. Students will leave this class with a basic understanding of geographic skills, of their world surroundings, the methods to study these, and a survey of world culture.