The following courses are available to 9th graders at Astoria High School.

Prereq = a course that you must take first

BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY:

• Intro to Business A & B: (YEAR)  This class is open to students interested in learning about business and business course offerings.  Students participate in a variety of hands-on projects to learn about record-keeping, accounting, business communications, marketing, and business law.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION:

• Intro to Computer Science I & II: (Sem or Year)  This introductory computer science course teaches students the basics of collaborative coding in an object oriented paradigm using the programming language Java. No prior coding experience is required. The creation and use of coding objects along with a focus on the flow of information is strongly emphasized from beginning to end.   *Completion of Algebra I is required - students cannot forecast for this course through StudentVUE, but can email a counselor to be added to the course once Algebra I completion is confirmed.

• Engineering Technology: (SEM)  This class is open to students interested in a hands on class who want real-world, hands-on experiences and an understanding of technologies that make everyday machinery operate, including Manufacturing Processes, Mechanical Fabrication, AC/DC Electrical Systems, CNC Machinery, Robotics, Pneumatics, Hydraulics and Basic Household Electrical Systems.​ 

• Intro to Trades (SEM):  This course introduces students to various industries in the trades and prepares students with industrial safety knowledge. Students will spend one quarter learning and earning a college credit, IT140: Industrial Safety, from Clatsop Community College.  Earning an A or B in this class allows students to take classes in Welding or Autmotive Mechanics through CCC's MERTS campus.

• Ag, Food & Natural Resources A & B: (Year) Introduction to Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources (AFNR) is a course based on introducing students to the different sectors of Agriculture, Food Science, and Natural Resources. Students’ experiences will involve the study of communication, the science of agriculture, plants, animals, natural resources, and agricultural mechanics. While surveying the opportunities available in agriculture and natural resources, students will learn to solve problems, conduct research, analyze data, work in teams, and take responsibility for their work, actions, and learning. Woven throughout the course are activities to develop and improve employability skills of students through practical applications. Students explore career and post-secondary opportunities in each area of the course. 

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING:

• Food & You: (SEM) Having a good role model in the kitchen is one of the best ways to learn how to cook and bake. However, maybe you never had the opportunity to watch someone cook. Perhaps you never had enough time to really apply yourself to the task. Maybe you're just scared of not knowing what to do. The good news is, it's never too late to start, no matter what your background may be. The most important thing to take with you into the kitchen is a basic understanding of what to do and how to do it. This course is designed to give you just that. Students will learn basic food preparation skills. Topics include food safety, proper knife skills, recipe reading, proper equipment use, microwave cooking, canning, and an introduction to baking techniques.

• LIFE 101: (SEM) This course will cover a range of practical life skills determined by students' interests and needs. Topics covered may include basic automotive and bicycle maintenance, basic home improvement and maintenance, cooking and food preparation, opening a bank account and managing finances, personal safety and first-aid, child care, and others. 

• Leadership A & B: (YEAR) Leadership students plan events for AHS student body and participate in decision making for campus-wide activities. 9th graders can run for Class office or be a member of leadership as a student representative.

• Art of Wellness: (SEM) Art for Wellness will have one simple objective: to provide students with a consistent, daily dose of relief from everyday stressors by utilizing their time to explore and create artwork. Teacher-assigned projects and completion of artwork will not be stressed: rather, the primary requirement of the class will be to participate in pressure-relieving art activities every day of the term.  

• Theater Stage Craft: (SEM) This class will introduce students to every aspect of live and recorded production on stage. This class is designed to open the mysteries behind stage production to enable anyone with interest to become fluent in crafting theater. Students will learn the basics of stage makeup application, lighting and sound design, set construction, costume design, stage management, and direction. Additionally, students with interest in front-of-house operations will receive opportunities to assist in local theater productions.

WORLD LANGUAGES:

• Spanish 1 A & B: (YEAR)  Students learn basic vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills, as well as explore cultural, historical, and geographical aspects of Spanish speaking countries.
  Some students may qualify for Spanish 2 as a result of previous experience with Spanish.  Students will take a placement exam at the end of the 8th grade year and will be moved to Spanish 2 if they qualify. 

• German 1 A & B:  (YEAR)  Students learn basic vocabulary, grammar and communication skills, as well as explore the aspects of German culture.

• *2-3 years of a foreign language is required for admission into many four-year Colleges and Universities, but a foreign language is not required for graduation.*

MUSIC:

• Concert Choir A & B: (YEAR)  This is a performance based singing ensemble for students to create and experience classical, pop, folk, a cappella, and broadway music.  Students will develop an understanding of how to sing while mastering pitch, rhythms, harmonies, dynamics, as well as musical form and interpretation.  Students will continue to develop an understanding and appreciation of the differences in music from other cultures and the connections music brings to people, places and time.  

• World Music Studies: (SEM) Students will investigate musical styles from the Indian Raga to Gospel to Mariachi to Irish Uillean pipes and everything in between and across the ages. Students will begin to learn to read the different types of musical notation and they will have an opportunity to dig deeply into music of interest to them.

• Beg Guitar & Ukulele: (SEM)  This course focuses on basic guitar and Ukelele skills and techniques such as music reading and chords.  No prior guitar playing experience is necessary, but each student must provide their own guitar. 

• Orchestra A & B: (YEAR)  No experience required!  In this class, students can choose one of the four orchestral stringed instruments to learn.  The violin, viola, cello, or bass are open to learn in a group atmosphere.  You are encouraged to have your instrument, but there are also some available for rent through the school for $30 a year.

• Band A & B: (YEAR)  This course focuses on intermediate to advanced musical skills and techniques.  Students gain experience while exploring high quality concert band, marching band, and pep band literature.  This class travels over the course of the year and gives frequent high quality public performances, including football games, basketball games and pep assemblies.  Attendance at all public performances is mandatory and graded.  

• Jazz Band A & B: (YEAR) The focus of this course is to gain advanced musical skills, techniques, and experience while exploring high quality jazz, funk, Latin and rock literature.  This class travels to several festivals over the course of the year and gives frequent high quality public performances.  Attendance at all public performances is mandatory and graded.  9th graders who are interested in joining Jazz Band should reach out to Mr. Strauch for approval

• Music Production: (SEM) Explore the tools and gain the skills to record and master original recordings.  Learn how best to use microphones for recording and digital audio programs Pro Tools to make the best recording process.  Students will set up and care for music technology while doing the post-production work necessary for creating high quality recordings.

PUBLISHING:

• Journalism Production & Design A & B: (YEAR)  Students in this course learn the fundamentals of journalism, writing, photography, press rights and laws, ethics and layout design basics while producing the school paper.  Students are required to be enrolled in this class for a full year.  This course emphasises layout and design, but students will still be required to do some writing.

• Yearbook A & B (YEAR): Students are responsible for the design and publication of the school yearbook,  Zephyrus.  Successful students will demonstrate excellent leadership, teamwork, journalism, business, and technology skills.   If incoming 9th graders are interested in Yearbook, they need to reach out to Mr. Josh Fisher via email jfisher@astoriak12.org.

SOCIAL SCIENCE:

• History of Mexico: (SEM) A study of Mexican history from ancient civilizations to present day. Students will learn about the geography of the country,  read and examine texts, complete projects, and learn about aspects of Mexican culture. The goal of this class is to learn about the rich history of Mexico and how that history interacts with and shapes our society today. 

SCIENCE:
All freshmen take Integrated Science or Honors Integrated Science, but can take an additional science class, if they are interested.

• Earth Science A & B:  (SEM EACH)  This course will cover topics that include: Earth Materials, Sculpture of Earth’s Surfaces, Forces within the Earth, Historical Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology, and Astronomy.  Students can take either semester or both.

• Exploring Nature in the PNW: (SEM) Students in this class will engage with their natural surroundings through observation, mindful inquiry, and experiential learning.  This course is elective credit.

VISUAL ARTS:

• Basic Design: (SEM) This course serves as the foundation for building a solid understanding of visual art.  Emphasis will be on the elements and principles of design along with drawing and observation techniques.  Passing Basic Design is a prerequisite for all advanced art classes.

• Painting: (SEM) This course will cover different styles and techniques within three major painting media: tempera, acrylic, and watercolor.  Some projects will be "self-guided"; others will explore the styles and significance behind noteworthy art movements.  Student must also forecast for Basic Design, as it is a prerequisite, and must be taken before painting.

• Advanced Drawing: (SEM)  This course will explore various drawing media such as charcoal, pastel, scratchboard, pen and ink, and more.  Emphasis will be placed on arrangement and composition as well as fine attention to detail.  Student must also forecast for Basic Design, as it is a prerequisite, and must be taken before painting.

• Digital Photography: (Sem)  Digital Photography is designed around the fundamentals of photographic composition. The course will examine aesthetics as well as becoming accustomed with Adobe Photoshop and the basics of photo editing.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

• Students on an IEP or in the ELD program will be placed in resource classrooms based on their individual plans.

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Course descriptions for all AHS courses can be found in the 2024-2025 Education Planning Guide.  Click here to view the guide.