Leadership is an 8th grade full-year elective class that will be a daily extension of our DRMS  extracurricular leadership clubs/activities -- Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, WEB, etc.  These programs also meet before/after school once per week to also include 6th & 7th grade members.  Students should exemplify the leadership qualities of honesty, integrity, compassion, creativity, and commitment.  Class activities will provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, plan/facilitate school-wide activities/events (assemblies, fundraisers, lunch events, spirit weeks, etc), conduct community outreach projects, and contribute positively to their school community.   Students will explore leadership, teamwork, inclusivity, and service through various activities and projects. From planning school events to representing their peers, students will learn valuable communication and problem-solving skills while making a positive impact on their school community. Join us as we work together to create a fun and inclusive environment at DRMS.

This elective intervention class is designed for General Education students who need extra support in math, reading, or both outside of their required content course.  This course will provide differentiated instructional tasks that are tailored to the needs of each student, ultimately promoting greater confidence, independence, and greater academic success. Students will receive small group support to work on developing a deeper understanding/mastery of essential skills and foundational concepts.  

This elective class is targeted towards students who are below-grade level in Math and/or ELA based on a combination of teacher recommendations, iReady testing, state assessments, and classroom performance.   Teachers will maintain MLSS plans for the students in all academic areas in which they need support.

This class consists of 7th & 8th grade singers who demonstrate high abilities and knowledge of singing. Singing  performance is emphasized as well as various elements of musicianship. Singing in three parts is studied. Membership in this class is by teacher recommendation. This group attends the District 7 Large Group Festival held every spring.  

This course is designed for 8th students to provide a chance for students with and without disabilities to work together in an inclusive educational setting.  Peer tutors will assist their fellow students in some of our self-contained special education classrooms. It is a unique learning experience in which peer tutors will have daily opportunities to develop positive attitudes and relationships with students with disabilities. Peer tutors are expected to be positive role models throughout campus.  

Final selection for this elective will include an application and interview process to be completed later in the spring semester. 

This is a non-auditioned choral group comprised of students with minimal experience. Beginning Chorus performs standard choral literature in both unison and two-part. Basic vocal production and musicianship are studied. This chorus will participate in semester concerts. 

Art is a design and visual fundamentals class which exposes students to a variety of  methods, techniques and mediums.   The fall semester will focus on two-dimensional work such as drawing, perspective, painting, mask  making and printmaking. The spring semester will explore a variety of three-dimensional media which  could include copper relief, basketry, ceramics, wire sculpture, etc. The emphasis is on form, design  and functional three dimensional multicultural arts.   This fun and exciting program will assist experienced and novice artists develop their skills. Art history,  aesthetics and art criticism will accompany the making of art as a means of directing student awareness  and growth. Career possibilities will be explored and work will be prepared for shows. 

A $10 lab fee will be charged for art. This fee will be for consumable supplies. Students may be asked  to furnish additional supplies such as pencils, plastic bags or newspapers to supplement school supplies  for art.  (Lab fees may be waived if necessary.  See teacher or counselor for more information.) 

This course is open to all students 6th-8th grade with no previous instrument experience or less than one year of playing experience. Students will learn to play a woodwind,  brass or percussion instrument (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn,  trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion).  Students will learn performance skills on their instrument, how to read music  and how to perform as an ensemble in a fun and welcoming environment! If a student wants to join, but needs an instrument, the school can provide one for them. We want everyone to have a chance to learn an instrument! Students will perform in several concerts during the year. Previous musical experience on piano, guitar, or other instruments is welcome, but not required.  

Selection Process: None 

This course will allow students to learn about art and graphic design in a medium that is expressive in different ways while covering the basics of computer Science. This course is designed for beginners who want to apply computer science principles for aesthetic expressive purposes It offers students opportunities to use computers to realize works of art, to study the perception of artistic phenomena, and to think about new, computer-influenced paradigms and metaphors for the experiences of making and appreciating art in any form.. We will be using Photoshop and The Adobe Suite as well as other programs.  You will need headphones and a flash drive for this course. 

This course is for seventh or eighth grade students who have had one or two years of band instruction. Students will continue to work  on their technique and group performance skills. Students will perform in evening concerts,  assemblies and festivals as part of the course requirements. Advanced Band attends a weekend retreat at Hummingbird Music Camp and participates at  District VII Band Festival. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in the Choose Your Own Musical Adventure Project where they will complete a project of their choosing. Some past projects include researching a musical topic, building a musical instrument, composing music, creating a performance video or performing in the community.

Selection Process: Current teacher recommendation; new students please contact Aaron Lovato (lovato_aa@aps.edu)

Drama is an awesome outlet for creative and diverse talents. Through presentations and  improvisation, young actors will learn the freedom of expression and gain confidence on  stage. Students are given the opportunity to perform plays and skits. They create  commercials, monologues and various other stage, television and radio themes. An  open-mind and imagination are requirements for our class. 

Symphonic Band is open to students who have completed at least two years of instruction on a band instrument. Students will work on refining existing musical skills, expanding their musical vocabulary and learning new skills. Students will perform in evening concerts,  assemblies and festivals as part of the course requirements. Symphonic Band attends a weekend retreat at Hummingbird Music Camp and participates at  District VII Band Festival. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in the Choose Your Own Musical Adventure Project where they will complete a project of their choosing. Some past projects include researching a musical topic, building a musical instrument, composing music, creating a performance video or performing in the community.

Selection Process: Current teacher recommendation; new students please contact Aaron Lovato (lovato_aa@aps.edu)

This course will provide students with basic life skills to include family life, finance, fashion, and food. Students will learn food preparation  techniques using nutritious and healthy ingredients. They will also explore various cultures and career  options. Using Common Core Standards and National Family and Consumer Science Standards students  will be challenged to learn about themselves, improve problem-solving skills and develop leadership  qualities. This course will prepare students to be helpful, responsible and concerned citizens in their  community.  

A $20 lab fee will be assessed to offset the cost of fresh ingredients for food preparation and for sewing projects that students will keep.

This orchestra is open to all students 6th-8th grade with no previous instrument experience or less than one year of playing experience. Students can choose from playing violin, viola, cello or bass and will focus on learning to play that instrument for the year. Students will learn performance skills on their instrument, how to read music  and how to perform as an ensemble in a fun and welcoming environment! If a student wants to join, but needs an instrument, the school will provide one for them. We want everyone to have a chance to learn an instrument! Students will perform in several concerts during the year, including our district-wide Beginning Orchestra Festival as well as attend field trips such as a trip to the Nutcracker Ballet! Previous musical experience on piano, guitar, or other instruments is welcome, but not required.  

Selection Process: None 

Problem Solving is a semester-long class for students interested in using technology within the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) framework. Students will work on various projects throughout the semester  beginning with the engineer design process, coding, robotics and other hands-on activities to expand their thinking of the world around them.  We use Minecraft throughout the semester to enhance our understanding of problem solving practices. This will all be done while students work on collaborating and learning important skills to solve problems in the real world. 

Intermediate orchestra is open to students with one (1) or more years of experience on their instrument. Students will work on refining existing musical skills, expanding their musical vocabulary and learning new skills  such as vibrato and shifting. Students will perform in evening concerts, assemblies and festivals as part of the course requirements. Intermediate Orchestra attends a weekend retreat at Hummingbird Music Camp and participates in Music Performance Assessment. We also attend field trips such as the Nutcracker Ballet. Sixth grade students  interested in enrolling must have previous playing experience and contact the director, Ms. Photiades, for an audition. 

Prerequisites: One year Beginning Orchestra or one year previous orchestra instruction or private lessons.  

Selection Process: Current teacher recommendation; new students please contact Erica Photiades (erica.photiades@aps.edu)

This course is designed to give students an initial introduction to Spanish language and culture. A large emphasis will be placed on spoken Spanish, consisting of everyday conversation and vocabulary that students might find helpful if needing to speak Spanish at any time.  Students will learn about Hispanic culture, especially the cultures of our own state of New Mexico, and Mexico. 

Advanced orchestra is open to students who have completed at least two years of instruction on a string instrument. Students will work on refining existing musical skills, expanding their musical vocabulary and learning new skills such as vibrato and shifting. Students will perform in evening concerts,  assemblies and festivals as part of the course requirements. Advanced Orchestra attends a weekend retreat at Hummingbird Music Camp and participates in Music Performance Assessment. We also attend field trips such as the Nutcracker Ballet and our Elementary Recruitment Tour. Sixth grade students interested in enrolling must have previous playing experience and contact the director, Ms. Photiades, for an audition. 

Prerequisites: One year Beginning Orchestra, one year Intermediate Orchestra or two years previous orchestra instruction or private lessons.  

Selection Process: Current teacher recommendation; new students please contact Erica Photiades (erica.photiades@aps.edu)

Have you ever dreamed of creating the perfect room? Computer Aided Design is great for creative,  detail-oriented students. Prior knowledge of drafting techniques is not required. We will start from the  basics and move all the way through computer-aided 3D architectural modeling. In a world with too  little space and too many people, understanding how to design efficient living space is a skill you can bank on! 

Did you know it is possible to design a tool on Earth and have it printed on the shuttle in space? Did  you know people are living full lives with 3D printed prosthetic limbs? Using the same programs and  our own 3D printers students will be treated to an introduction into the solids modeling field that  makes this all happen.

In 2023, Jazz I may possibly be offered during the school day for 8th grade students only depending on student interest. Jazz Band I is offered to any 7th or 8th grade band or orchestra student and is selected through an audition.  To be a member, students must be  enrolled in a band or orchestra class during the school day.  Jazz Band I performs several concerts and festivals throughout the year. Rehearsals  are held before school and students receive a grade for the class.  

Jazz Band II does not require an audition and is open to any 6th, 7th, or 8th grade band or orchestra student who would like to  play. To be a member, students must be  enrolled in a band or orchestra class during the school day. Exception: rhythm section instruments (drum set, piano, bass, guitar) will be limited to a certain  number of students. If there is an over-abundance of these instruments, a small audition process may be  necessary. Jazz Band II performs several concerts and festivals throughout the year. Rehearsals are held  before school and students receive a grade for the class.  

Students can enroll in these zero-hour classes in Fall 2023 -- additional information on these courses will be available through our other music teachers/courses in August once the school year has started. 

This course is designed to introduce all students to the joys of woodworking. Through required  projects, they will learn how to safely operate the band saw, scroll saw, miter saw, drill press, disc/belt  sander and various hand held power and hand tools. This elective course will help students explore career opportunities available to them and allow them to develop their creative abilities. 

A $30 lab fee is required to cover students’ supplies and materials.  (Lab fees may be waived if necessary.   See teacher or counselor for more information.) 

In 8th grade PE, students will improve on their skills learned in 6th and 7th grade by participating in both team and individual sport activities. 8th grade PE will have an increased focus on athletic performance improving strength, endurance, coordination, and overall physical fitness.  While PE is required in 6th & 7th grades, 8th grade PE is a self-selected elective opportunity -- however, if students have not yet fulfilled their NM state physical education requirements, they will automatically be placed in this course.  

Important Notes for All PE Students:

Specific clothing is expected to be worn by all students during physical education class. Navy blue  athletic shorts with a minimum 7” inseam, grey t-shirt, socks and tennis shoes with non-marking soles.  For your convenience, the PE department will be selling the t-shirt and shorts set for a flat fee of $20. 

• Cold weather clothing may be worn over PE clothing during inclement weather. ∙ Clothing must be permanently marked for identification. 

• Students are expected to take clothes home each Friday to be laundered. 

• Caps and sunscreen are encouraged when classes are held outdoors. 

• Uniform fee may be waived, if necessary. (See teacher or counselor for more information.) 

Exemptions from PE require a doctor-ordered notice.  

Students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports and sports activities that promote teamwork, cooperation, and friendship. Unified Sports brings together students of all ability types to train, compete, and learn from one another in a supportive and inclusive environment.  During the semester, students will engage in a variety of sports and recreational activities tailored to accommodate all skill levels and abilities. Students will develop physical fitness, sportsmanship, and social skills while having fun, building lasting friendships, and promoting a campus spirit of inclusivity at Desert Ridge.   Join us to foster acceptance and unity through the power of sports.

This class will be project based.  Students will form teams to explore and research themes, concepts, and ideas to engage in the creation of an artifact to solve a problem or showcase their new knowledge and skills. Project options will be rooted in science, technology, engineering, art, and math themes with the opportunities to engage in local and national competitions. Students will have the option to choose between different projects, such as designing and coding a robot, creating an app, using technology and math to create art, designing and building Rube Goldberg machines, and Destination Imagination challenges. 

The DRMS Geek Squad elective offers students the opportunity to develop valuable technology skills while providing support to both students and teachers in the school community. As a member of the DRMS Geek Squad students will gain hands-on experience in computer troubleshooting, maintenance, and technology support throughout the school building.   Effective communication skills a plus!  

Application Required - applications completed in late spring.