Semester 1

Elective Offerings

Guidelines for Add/Drop Process

The first 3 weeks of the semester is the time to submit a request to change your Elective class using the Add/Drop Form. Check your email for a link to the form.
All requests will be processed, and changes can be made if there is space available in the desired class section.
Requests after the 3 week period will not be processed except under extenuating circumstances. Email Ms. Whitehead with your request.
Requests are not a guarantee that your class will be changed.
The Spring and Fall Semester have similar offerings, so if you aren't able to change your Elective this semester, you can express your interest for the next semester.

Business & Entrepreneurship

Math Art Instructor: Mr. Saint Michael

What is math? What is art? In this class we're going to do some math and ask ourselves--how is this art? And we'll do some art and ask ourselves--how is this math? We're talking beads, stars, doodles, dragons, knots, toothpicks and marshmallows.

Don't consider yourself a "math-y person"? No problem! Don't consider yourself an "arts-y person"? Again, no problem! Ready to try out some new weird math-y and art-y topics? Perfect. And hopefully by the end of this course we'll be able to answer the question... What is math? What is art?

Financial Literacy - Instructor: Mr. Atkinson

Arts, Design & Communications

Improv Comedy - Instructor: Mr. Houk

Elective Description: Students will learn and practice performance techniques of improv comedy. These skills are commonly learned across various businesses to foster better public speaking and interpersonal skills. Students will regularly practice improv comedy exercises and develop their performance techniques and will have performance opportunities throughout the year.

Mural Arts - Instructor: Mr. Brad Carney

Be part of Building 21’s creative mural experience. Students will learn to collaboratively design and paint a continuing series of murals which will be displayed within the school.

Art & Design - Instructor: Ms. Nancy Agati

Students will be introduced to a variety of art mediums throughout the course.

The goal of the class is to develop skills along with an understanding of art and design concepts such as pattern, texture, color, and symmetry. Learn new techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking, and basic three-dimensional form construction. Students will be encouraged to experiment with materials, solve design problems, and expressively explore their creativity.

Music Tech & Modern Band - Instructor: Mr. Scamby

Practice percussion rudiments and cadences on drum pads and the drum set. This class is interactive and requires focus and participation.

Animation - Instructor: Mr. Tate

Learn all about the art of animation, beginning with drawing and illustration skills. Understand the structure for drawing the human body, then put it in motion across a series of frames that create movement for the characters in the scene. After developing foundational skills in drawing, students will be using computer software to create digital animations.

Yearbook - Instructor: Ms. Mullen

Photojournalism - Instructor: Mr. Harrington

Trades

Cosmetology - Instructor: Ms. Samantha B.

Do you love to wash, braid, style, or cut hair? Have you ever dreamed of owning your own salon or attending school for Cosmetology? In this class you will learn to professionally care for the hair, skin, and nails while developing skills in collaboration, professional communication, and creative expression. Cosmetology students will build a foundational understanding of these topics through bookwork, notes, discussion and quizzes and then apply their knowledge through hands-on practice. Students should come to class with an open mind, maintain strong attendance, and be punctual because the class covers a lot of crucial information.

Culinary Arts - Instructor: Ms. Jamela Bilal

This programs covers all the basic concepts of cooking including: knife skills, food safety, sauces, proper cooking temperatures, spices, etc. We also discuss the correlation of science and math to cooking and baking. Whether you are a novice or experienced cook you will have fun and leave this course with a vast understanding of Culinary Arts and the many opportunities it offers.

First Builders Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program Instructor: Mr. Gerald Weaver

Do you like to work with your hands? Do you think you might be interested in a career in the construction trades? This semester we are partnering with First Builders to provide students with the opportunity to learn about a variety of careers in construction and to try your skills on some projects. This class is hands on and introduces students to the use of tools and mathematical calculation to prepare for

Law

Education

& Human Services

Personal Fitness - Instructor: Ms. Pierce

This course will focus on the elements needed to be successful on your own personal fitness journey as well as help others on their path. Participants will create personalized workout and nutrition plans. Along the way they will learn the basics of muscular anatomy, gain an understanding of exercise safety and injury prevention, Hands only CPR, and explore careers related to Personal Fitness.

Debate - Instructor: Ms. Carter

Are you competitive? Do you like to think about issues going on in the world? Want to work on your public speaking or research skills? Then debate is for you! This class is focused on learning Public Forum debate, a format used in Philadelphia high school debate competitions. Public Forum is a 2-on-2 debate where you and a partner work together to debate a current events topic, competing against another team. With topics changing monthly, you'll get a chance to explore several different issues in the news in detail, and develop strong public speaking abilities. Our goal is to enter at least one Philadelphia competition this semester!

Yoga - Instructor: Ms. Grieb

This course will focus on the elements mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and nutrition. Students will practice community building and creative expression, while having the opportunity to connect with nature and foster body positivity.

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Medicine

Robotics - Instructor: Ms. Cogswell

Design thinking is a problem-solving process used in lots of career fields, including engineering. A core component of our work is prototyping, which means we will create, build, test, and improve our design solutions to a community challenge. You will be working in teams to identify a need or challenge in the school or larger community, and use the five step Design Thinking process to address it by practicing empathy, research skills, brainstorming, prototyping, and presenting to the people connected to the problem.

Science Olympiad - Instructor: Ms. Scortow

In anatomy and physiology, students will gain an understanding of the relationships between the structures and functions of the human body. We will explore how an understanding of this relationship is used throughout a variety of careers. Students will explore anatomy and physiology through case studies, dissections, and hopefully field trips and guest speakers.

Game Design - Instructor: Mr. Nate Bronstein

Students will be able to explore computer coding and programing, some principles of animation, and game design in order to develop their own digital game.

Personal

& Academic

Development Pathways

Male Mentorship - Instructor: Marcus Smith

Students will discuss current problems occurring in their neighborhoods, households, and in the world. Students will be connect with peers in the school, and engage in debates and discussions about situations they deal with daily. We will watch short videos that will show and discuss some problems that young people face daily and then have discussions and assignments around these videos.

Girls Group - Instructor: Ms. Kesha Bethea

The girls group on Wednesdays focuses on issues such as high-risk behaviors, trauma, and sources of resilience and strength that at times young women forget exists within them. Our group space creates a supportive environment to speak openly about this issues, learn from others, and develop healthy ways of coping with difficult experiences and situations.

Freshman Seminar - Instructors:

Ms. Whitehead, Ms. Mosley, Ms. Willkomm, & Ms. Heller

In Freshman Seminar, students will explore what their roadmap from high school into post-secondary education will look like. They will set goals for their learning this year in school and through OnTrack. They will explore their unique styles of learning, personality types, and aligned career connections. Students will take ownership of their learning and career exploration throughout Freshman Seminar, as they design a digital portfolio for the year.

Junior Seminar - Instructors: Ms. McArthur, Ms. Elsheikh, Mr. Whetzel

Students will engage in creating a website that consists of research regarding their post secondary plans. Students will also meet with post secondary representatives such as college, trade and military recruiters. Lastly, students will engage in online and virtual sessions with OnTrack for post secondary research and planning.

Senior Capstone - Instructors: Mr. Hitchner, Ms. Thomas

Elective Description: The Senior Project is the last formal learning experience of your Building 21 Educational Career. This project can show your potential, demonstrate prior learning, and help you understand a stronger sense of self. More importantly, the Senior Project can offer you new possibilities, tapping into your interests at a transitional time in your life. The hope of Senior Project is to engage your sense of curiosity proactively by having you initiate, develop, and engage in a plan of action that will provide service to your community.

Sophomore Support - - Instructors: Mr. McElroy

In Contemporary Issues (In Art), students will analyze how works of art are used to inform audiences about different social issues that shape communities. Students will look at music, photography, poetry, fashion, and other forms of art, while also exploring the many issues that serve as influences for their creators.

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