A year to lead, refine skills, and prepare for high school opportunities.
8th grade students can choose from advanced arts, performance, leadership, outdoor education, STEAM, and communication-based electives. Students will rank electives based on interest, and final placement will depend on scheduling, staffing, class sizes, and availability.
Arts, Music & Performance
Art
Students explore art techniques, materials, and creative processes while building confidence as artists. They will practice new skills and create original work.
Band
Students learn, practice, and perform music as part of a band ensemble. This class builds musical skills, teamwork, and performance confidence.
Mixed Choir
Students develop vocal technique, musicianship, and confidence through group singing. This class includes a variety of music and opportunities to grow as part of a choir ensemble.
Jazz Choir
Students develop vocal technique, harmony, rhythm, and performance skills through jazz and contemporary choral music. Previous choir experience is mandatory for this class.
Theatre
Students build confidence through acting, movement, voice, and storytelling. This class explores theatre skills through games, creative activities, scene work, and performance opportunities.
Guitar
Students learn foundational guitar skills, including chords, rhythm, and basic songs. This class helps students build confidence as musicians while practicing at their own level.
Beginning Ceramics
Students learn the fundamentals of handbuilding with clay while exploring a variety of creative ceramic techniques. Projects include pinch pots, coil vessels, realistic food sculptures, masks, and more.
Ceramics 2 — Spring Semester Only
Students who have built confidence with the basics may create more advanced projects such as tic-tac-toe boards, paint palettes, nesting bowls, weaving looms, realistic meals, and vessels made on mini and full-size pottery wheels. This spring semester opportunity is intended for students ready to continue building their ceramics skills.
Studio Art
Students continue building artistic skills through a variety of studio-based projects and creative techniques. This class gives students time to explore different materials, develop their personal style, and create original artwork.
Advanced Art — 2nd Semester Opportunity
Advanced Art is designed for students who are ready to continue developing their artistic voice through more focused projects. Students build on previous art skills while exploring more advanced techniques, creative choices, and personal expression.
Mixed Media
Students experiment with combining materials such as drawing, painting, collage, paper, and found objects. This class encourages creative risk-taking, layering, and expressive artwork.
Fiber Arts
Students explore creative work with fibers and textiles through hands-on projects. Activities may include weaving, embroidery, felting, and other forms of textile-based art.
STEAM
Students explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through hands-on projects and design challenges. This class encourages creative problem-solving, experimentation, and innovation.
Wildlife Science
Students study animals, habitats, ecosystems, and human impact on wildlife. This class encourages observation, inquiry, and science-based thinking about the natural world.
Outdoor Education & Wellness
Expedition Leadership
Students strengthen leadership, planning, communication, and outdoor decision-making skills. This class uses expedition-style challenges and team activities to prepare students to lead and support others.
Mountain Biking
Students build biking skills, trail safety, confidence, and endurance. This class focuses on responsible riding, teamwork, and supporting others on the trail.
Survival Science
Students learn outdoor survival concepts through science-based challenges. Topics may include shelter, fire safety, navigation, water, weather, and problem-solving.
Personal Fitness
Students build strength, endurance, flexibility, and healthy habits through a variety of fitness activities. This class encourages personal goal-setting, effort, and lifelong wellness.
Team Sports
Students practice teamwork, sportsmanship, strategy, and skill development through a variety of team-based games and sports. This class emphasizes cooperation, communication, and positive competition.
Humanities, Speaking & Student Leadership
Literature & Film
Students explore how stories are told through both written texts and film. This class focuses on character, theme, visual storytelling, and how creative choices shape meaning for an audience.
Speech & Debate
Students build confidence in public speaking, argumentation, research, and respectful discussion. This class gives students opportunities to develop communication skills, organize ideas, and present their thinking clearly.
Elementary Teacher Aide
Students may have the opportunity to support an elementary teacher with age-appropriate classroom tasks, organization, and preparation. Placements are only available with elementary teachers and depend on teacher need, student responsibility, schedule fit, and approval.