Course Descriptions

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ENGLISH

A basic study of grammar and vocabulary skills through the use of reading and composition, In literature, theme and genre are stressed and the study includes short stories, poetry, drama and documents.

A continuation of grammar skills with emphasis on written and oral communication. Literature studied has a world-wide focus with authors form various cultures, ethnic groups, and time periods.

This course is designed to introduce great American creative writers. This study is undertaken in chronological order. Students are given opportunity to evaluate for understanding. Poetry, short stories, dramas and prose are included. Students are given the opportunity to share reactions in written and verbal form.

This course is designed to introduce great British creative writers. Students are given opportunity to evaluate for understanding. Poetry, short stories, dramas and prose are included. Students are given the opportunity to share their reactions in written and verbal form.

Intro to speech communications, public speaking, debate and oral interpretation.

FINE ARTS

A performing group that will accept any student who has basic to advance skills on a band instrument. The band will perform locally throughout the year. A limited number of instruments are available for rent through the school. Other rental arrangements must be made by the student with a music company of their choice.

A performing group that will accept anyone who wants to sing. Performances will be mainly local. Attendance is required at all scheduled performances.

An audition only group that will perform more extensively than the large choir with possible tours in North America. All members of the small choir must also be a member of the large choir. Attendance at all performances required.

Concentration on basic drawing techniques. The student will be introduced to basic shapes, shade and shadow, perspective, vanishing point, and similar introductory concepts. The Art I student will be expected to complete at least one plastic or wooden model and have a final art project ready for display each semester.

Requirement: Art I

Art II will cover advanced art techniques of color and design, Art II students will be asked to provide a final color project for each semester, encouraged to complete at least one sculpture of free form project and present a portfolio for the Spring Show.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

An introductory audio-lingual course emphasizing understanding and speaking simple phrases in everyday situations. Spanish grammar is taught and the student should plan on spending time memorizing vocabulary. Students must maintain a C average to accelerate to Spanish II.

Prerequisite: Spanish I

A continuation of Spanish I, with a broadening study of Spanish vocabulary, reading and composition. Emphasis is on conversation. Students must maintain a B average to accelerate to Spanish III.

Prerequisite: Spanish I and II

Spanish III is an advanced level class that provides a balanced focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills throughout the course. The students will also develop an awareness of the culture in which the language is spoken through advanced vocabulary, more verb tenses, and even analyzing Spanish literature. Students wishing to receive honors credit for this course must maintain an 85% average and complete honors assignments.

Credit by Exam

A student who speaks a foreign language fluently may arrange with the registrar to earn foreign language credit by exam. The cost is $40.00 for each semester.

HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION

A one-semester course designed to provide understanding of basic health principles. Included are studies on grooming, physical fitness, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, alcohol and other substance abuse, first aid, and emotional health. The main foal is to provide students with applicable information that will add more years to their lives and more life to their years.

A required course for all freshman and sophomore students, unless they are exempt by a physician's written statement. It is designed to promote health and physical fitness with emphasis placed on activities which are valuable as means of recreation and maintaining physical fitness. Fundamentals of team activities such as flagball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and softball will be presented. All students are required to wear appropriate clothing for physical education.

INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION

A practical course covering the theory of operation and construction, maintenance, repair, and adjustments of the various automotive components. Laboratory experiences are provided.

An advanced course replacing emphasis of problem diagnosis and the solution, engine rebuilding, tune ups, brake work, and wreck rebuilding. Skills to be developed are specialized tool recognition and use, determining repair costs, metal preparation mig welding, and painting.

MATHEMATICS

This course consists of the study of the number system from natural to real numbers, the solving of equations and inequalities up through quadratics, and the study of manipulation of exponents, radicals and factoring.

Prerequisite: Algebra I

A second year algebra course containing a review of equation properties, linear functions and relations uniform motion problems, radicals and quadratics, polynomials, functions, and complex numbers, quadratic relations and functions, polar coordinates, vectors, chemistry type problems and treatment of non-linear simultaneous equations.

This course will review and improve proficiency of computation skills and apply those skills in solving financial problems and maintaining business records on a personal level.

Prerequisite: Algebra 1

Designed for the average to better-than average student with a balance of theory and application. Introducing formal proofs, deductive and inductive reasoning, and indirect proofs. Emphasis is placed on plane geometry and includes some trigonometry, construction and loci, coordinate geometry and transformations.

Prerequisite: Algebra II

A developmental course containing mathematical proofs, review of equation properties, trigonometric identities and equations, graphs of trigonometric identities and equations, logarithmic equations, polar coordinates for complex numbers, sequences, series geometric proofs, probability, geometric progressions, conic sections, matrices and determinates echelon solutions and abstract word problems.

RELIGION

A freshmen class which will assist students in gaining an understanding of themselves by interpreting God's plan for family happiness, and developing an ever stronger relationship with Jesus.

A sophomore class which gives opportunities to better understand the story of our church, its heritage, and its principles. The course covers the story of our God's people from the Exodus and a study of the church in Corinth, to these last days and the history of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Areas of Christian standards such as music, leisure activities, dress, and social relationships are also covered.

A study of Steps to Christ, Daniel and Revelation and The Great Controversy with the current issues of modern teenage living interwoven throughout the year. This course is designed to help develop a closer, personal relationship with Jesus, to better understand the end-of-time events, and to help youth know how God would have them relate to the issues of life.

The practical study and application of Christian living in the areas of Christian witness, stewardship, vocational choices, marriage, physical fitness, and community outreach based on the principles of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. This course is designed to help establish a Christian philosophy of life with consistent values and goals, utilizing the power of choice, reason, and independent thinking.

Outreach - 1 semester, 1/2 credit

A course composed of practical Christianity, opportunities of service in and around the community or mission trips and through contributions of service to the church and school. Through these experiences students must demonstrate initiative, responsibility, sincerity, and compassion. Activity logs and reading reports are essential parts of the regular course work.  A hundred hours of community services is required. This service required may be fulfilled through enrollment in outreach class, mission trip, or a program of one hundred volunteer hours authorized by academic standards.

SCIENCE

An introductory course to the physical sciences, i.e. chemistry, physics and other physical or scientific laws. This laboratory class is designed for freshmen and emphasizes composition, characteristics, and reaction of matter, the different forms of energy, i.e., heat, chemical, electrical, nuclear and simple physical concepts.

An introduction to the biological (life) sciences. Designed for sophomores, this class is laboratory and project oriented and deals with principles of biology, origins, botany, zoology, ecology, and the environment.

Prerequisite: Grade of "B" or better in Algebra I recommended.

An upper division, laboratory course in physical science heavily emphasizing the composition and structure of all matter and the way in which it reacts. Problem solving is emphasized and mathematics is a must. Units include an introduction, formulas, balancing equation, chemical reactions, acids and bases, organic chemistry, and others as time permits. This is a college preparatory class.

Prerequisite: Biology with a grade of "C" or better recommended.

A laboratory class dealing with the structure and functions of the human body on a systems level, i.e., respiratory, digestive, etc. The laboratory section of this class deals with a concurrent study of these systems using cats.

Prerequisite: Algebra II, Geometry recommenced.

A pre-college course including the study of Newton's laws of motion and acceleration, forces, gravity, friction, curvilinear motion, conservation of energy and momentum, phases of matter, thermodynamics, waves, sound, light (reflection, refraction, and diffraction), electrostatics, electricity, magnetism, atomic structure, nuclear reactions, and introduction to quantum theory and relativity.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students are introduced to important geographical facts, cities, states, countries, boundaries and other significant geographical concepts. Current countries and changing borders presented. Map usage and world map understanding is presented.

A survey of ancient, medieval and modern history directed toward understanding the backgrounds of current nations, present-day cultures and conditions, and the development of God�s purposes for men. A required course for sophomores.

This course considers the great ideas, themes and persons who have effected the lives of the citizens and impacted the United States. The class is taught from a chronological perspective that takes into consideration the laws of cause and effect. Students are given opportunity to research and share ideas in written and verbal form.

An in depth study of our system of government and how we, as citizens of this great nation, should relate to it. Required course for seniors.

The study of how individuals and nations make choices about ways to use our resources to satisfy wants and needs. Practical, consumer information and practice is included. Required course for seniors.

TECHNOLOGY

This course is designed to train students with job-entry level skills in computer word processing, spreadsheet, database and Power Point applications. Also included is information in computer use, ethics and history. Emphasis includes hands-on experiences in all office applications. 

This advanced course is designed to train students with advanced level skills in computer word processing, spreadsheet, database and Power Point applications. Also included is information in computer use, ethics and history. Emphasis includes hands-on experiences in all office applications.

An introductory course designed to teach students the basics of video editing and production. Students make films for their classes, the school, or the church using Mini DV camcorders, I-Mac & E-Mac computers equipped with Final Cut Pro 3 software. Each student will be instructed in the proper use and care of the equipment and the technical basics involved in producing videos. All equipment is provided.

Prerequisite: Video Production.

Designed to provide more experience in the making and editing videos with emphasis on technical aspects. Students are introduced to more advance technical procedures while working with videos. All equipment is provided.

Students are introduced to Adobe Photoshop and Josten's yearbook creating software.  This course is designed to train students in basic Photoshop techniques.  They will see their work published in the CTA yearbook.

HOME ECONOMICS

An introductory course to give the students a basic understanding of what is involved in the smooth running of a home. Areas covered will include: Nutrition, menu planning and food preparation. awareness responsibilities of parenting, knowledge of proper personal relationships, basic knowledge of personal finance and budget, and basic knowledge of clothes construction and mending.

STUDY SKILLS

The objective of this class is to equip students with tools to be successful students. Areas covered are note taking, organizational skills, time management, vocabulary, spelling, study techniques and exercise in critical thinking.