Virtual Elective Course Catalog
Click on the links below to view a unique
LMS perspective of the elective course!
LMS perspective of the elective course!
Contact info for the elective teacher has been provided for your convenience.
(Including Advanced Art and Art I)
The LMS Art Studio is a place where we learn together and laugh together. We explore the world of art while we learn to use the creative process to develop our ideas to create original artworks from direct observation, experience, and imagination. Together we will discover how to use the media and tools to create the desired effect for our artwork, through instruction and experimentation. My hope is that we all learn to embrace the mistakes - they help us to become better.
Blair Kennington
blair.kennington@leanderisd.org
AVID's mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. AVID brings research‐based strategies that develop students’ critical thinking, literacy, and math skills across all content areas. In the AVID Elective class, students receive daily instruction and support to prepare them for college. AVID, a regularly scheduled elective class, prepares students in middle school for success in advanced high school classes and college. While all students are exposed to AVID strategies at LMS, AVID is also offered as an elective class. AVID continues all four years of high school.
Bridges to Academic Success (6th grade Intro to AVID)
is a semester-long course designed for 6th grade students to develop essential academic and personal skills that are crucial for their success in middle school and beyond. The curriculum focuses on time management techniques, collaborative study groups, and team-building exercises that aim to motivate and engage students. By providing a strong foundation, this course empowers students to transition smoothly from elementary to middle school and excel in all core content areas.
Melissa Cable
Beginning Band is a full-year elective for students taking band for the first time in middle school, and no previous musical experience is necessary. The class meets daily and is available to any student interested in learning to play a band instrument for the first time! Placement on an instrument is based on physical characteristics, student preference, director recommendation, and availability. Students who choose to be in Beginning Band will attend an Instrument Selection Day in April to try out the instruments and find what is the best fit for them. The class meets during the school day; however, there is one after school rehearsal before our winter concert in December, and one before our spring concert in May. Participation in concerts is required. For any questions, please contact Liz Love at Liz.Love@leanderisd.org.
Students who have completed Beginning Band will be a part of our ability-based Advanced Bands. Students will audition in April/May for their band placement for the following school year. Information regarding auditions will be communicated in advance. Students will be placed in Honors Band, Symphonic Band, or Concert Band. The band directors will consider the following things when placing students in bands (including, but not limited to): the student's audition, attitude, preparation for class daily, music-reading ability, and fundamentals of playing their instrument. For any questions, please contact Liz Love at Liz.Love@leanderisd.org.
Liz Love
Iliana Reyna
Jeremiah Ward
The LMS Choir Family is a safe place for you to learn about healthy singing, reading music, and being the most confident version of yourself! Choir is an activity that you can stick with through high school and college, making lifelong friendships! No singing skills necessary as we learn how to sing and perform as a team. Learning to read music is proven to make you a better test taker, language learner, and time manager.
Rachel Clow
Ryan Loveland
ryan.loveland@leanderisd.org
Cheerleading
(7th & 8th Grade)
Cheer is an extreme sport where students can learn dance, cheers, tumbling, stunting, and jumps while being in a supportive team environment. You do not need any prior experience to be on the team and we welcome all students to try it out. We prepare you for high school and college cheer if you choose to continue on that path. We have fun cheering on our school, do team-building activities together, compete with other schools in the district, and create lifelong friendships along the way.
Melissa Cable
Parent Meeting: Wednesday, February 21st 6:00-7:00 PM
Clinics: March 19th-21st 4:30-6:00 PM
Mock Tryout: March 22nd 4:30-6:00 PM
Color Guard
(7th & 8th Grade)
Color Guard is considered “the sport of the arts” because of the combination of artistic and athletic qualities involved in the activity. Color Guard students will learn basic flag and dance skills, and they will put those to use in numerous choreographed routines throughout the school year. The Color Guard will have multiple performance opportunities in class and outside of class, including pep rallies and showcases. The skills learned in color guard will help prepare students to continue doing color guard in high school and college if they choose to continue on that path. You do not need any prior experience to be on the team, and all students are welcome and encouraged to join the team
Allison Petro (LHS)
Dance I, Dance 2/Adv Dance
(7th & 8th Grade)
Amber Valenzuela
amber.valenzuela@leanderisd.org
Tigerette Dancer & Parent Interest Meeting is scheduled for March 7th (6-7:30pm)
Tryouts: March 25 -28th (4:30-6:00pm)
(7th & 8th Grade)
Vanessa Rodriguez
vanessa.rodriguez@leanderisd.org
STEM is a fun and challenging class where we explore topics like 3-D design, Coding, Robotics, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering through collaborative projects. If you have any interest in these topics check out Exploring STEM!
Karin Brown
(7th & 8th Grade)
Keegan Fiero
Leadership (semester with PE PALS)
(7th & 8th Grade)
Students who enjoy being involved in school events like pep rallies, NJHS, or student council and have a large amount of school spirit will develop as leaders in this course. We will work on event planning, holding meetings, research projects and goal setting and tracking. Students will be involved in all campus events and will be expected to lead the way during spirit weeks and with their academics. Students who are interested in leadership roles in the future should take this course.
Lifetime Fitness (PE)
(6th, 7th & 8th Grade)
Lifetime Fitness is our physical education program here at Leander Middle School. This class will focus on lifetime fitness activities and various fun games. Lifetime Fitness is less rigorous and less demanding than Pre-Athletics. Boys that are not interested in playing football in 7th grade should take Lifetime Fitness. Girls that are not interested in playing volleyball or basketball in 7th grade should take Lifetime Fitness.
(7th & 8th Grade)
Multimedia Production focuses on producing creative media such as podcasts, videos, and photos.
Students will learn to operate a camera for video and photography and will also be responsible for producing the weekly announcements!
Karin Brown
(7th-8th Grade)
Amanda Ellerbee
amanda.ellerbee@leanderisd.org
(6th Grade)
Athletics (7th & 8th Grade)
Boys: Greg Steger
Girls: Amanda Ellerbee
amanda.ellerbee@leanderisd.org
Spanish
(8th Grade)
(Including AP Spanish IV)
AP Spanish IV is a university-level course, open to students who express mastery on the AAPPL exam; they speak, read and write Spanish fluently.
Students who pass the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam will obtain college credits, upon successful completion of the course.
Matias Aguilar
Student Aide
(7th & 8th Grade)
(Including Office Aides, Classroom Aides, Techsperts & Library Aides)
(7th & 8th Grade) **Can only be taken once
Keegan Fiero
In Theatre, you will work on building confidence in acting, technical theatre, and public speaking in an inclusive and accepting environment. Students will learn through creative and collaborative assignments that allow them to embrace new parts of themselves they didn't know they had! In addition, students in theatre are able to join Improv Club, Theatre Club and are able to audition for after-school productions. No prior experience is necessary besides the ability to get outside your comfort zone!
Join theatre today and Leave Your Legacy.
Advanced Theatre
Leander Middle School Advanced Theatre class is the most elite theatre class at LMS. This class is for people who want to dive deeper into theatre knowledge surrounding acting techniques, theatre history, technical theatre, and more. In addition, the Advanced Theatre class competes in the UIL One-Act Play competition, where students will put on a 40-minute play and compete with all other students in the district. When Students rehearse for the UIL One-Act Play, it will require some after-school rehearsal time. This class requires students to be creative, think critically and take chances in the world of theatre. All students must audition to be put into the class with either two contrasting monologues or a technical theatre project.
Theatre Arts MS 2 Advanced Course 6743; Grades 7-8
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts MS 1
Theatre Arts MS 3 Advanced Course 6843; Grade 8
Prerequisite: Theatre Arts MS 2/Theatre Arts MS 2 Advanced
Students in advanced theatre will study advanced acting techniques, production and technology skills, theatre history, modern
theatrical media, and professional preparation for auditioning for professional theatre.
Taylor Rodriguez
taylor.rodriguez@leanderisd.org
(7th & 8th Grade)
Students will learn several software programs to publish the school yearbook. Students will work to develop their
photography, marketing, and journalistic writing skills.
Jennifer Mendez
jennifer.mendez@leanderisd.org
Other Courses for 2024-2025
PLEASE NOTE: This list is subject to change based on student interest that is gathered during Spring scheduling (2024).
A particular class will not be created if there are not enough students signed up for it.
For more information, please access the Leander ISD Middle School Course Catalog linked at the top of this page.
7th & 8th Grade Electives:
*H = High School Credit towards program of study
Fundamentals of Computer Science (H)
Principles of Applied Engineering (H)
Creative Writing
Musical Theatre
Gateway Medical Detectives