This elective course is for students who want to deepen their skills in both technical crafts and textiles (although the primary emphasis is on crafts). Students will learn to use new equipment and techniques, as well as develop greater proficiency with equipment they are already familiar with. They will use the design cycle to research, design, plan, create, and test a range of products, varying in size and complexity. The projects they complete will have a variety of contexts, some being very specifically outlined and others with a more open-ended theme.

Goals: Developing new techniques and skills using a variety of machinery and equipment, as well as enhancing existing ones; using the design cycle to produce projects that solve design problems.

Means of Assessment: To research and participate in workshops during class time, to create a finished product related to their own interests and research.

Home economics is a long elective course for those who want to continue studying cooking in the eighth and ninth grade. For two hours a week, you will be cooking and baking, getting acquainted with national and international food cultures, learning about special diets, and more.

Goals: Exercise your practice skills and develop team work.

Means of Assessment: Demonstration of both skills and knowledge.

NOTE: Students cannot take both this and the "general" Home Economics Course. You are allowed to place it as your first choice in both categories, but you will still be placed into a max of only one of the courses (depending on the outcome of any necessary lotteries).

Explore the history and development of music from a variety of music cultures and genres through playing. Although this course is primarily focused on making music, there will be some theory required and a few technological assignments. Performance is not required, but it is encouraged.

Goals: To create bands to perform or record different kinds of music, to learn new skills, and to improve existing ones.

Means of Assessment: Based on how the student is acting as a member of a music-making group, voice control and/or playing instruments, listening to and/or creating your own music.

Deepen your mastery of artistic skills and your understanding of art. We'll take time to make paintings and drawings about interesting themes, as well as learn how to make a design for a product or a video advertisement. Color theory, composition, and elements of art are taught through famous paintings from around the world and through the various time periods. Some studies of graphic design are included, such as making a poster. We will also visit an art/design museum. By the end of the course, you will assemble a portfolio of artworks you've created throughout the school year. In 9th grade, you will make your own art project and exhibit it on the school premises.

Goals: To explore various techniques in art through research, planning, and practice. Learning artists' and designers' working methods and means of art in different time periods.

Means of Assessment: Showing improvement on these areas: knowing and understanding, developing skills, creative thinking, and responding.