Below you will find a list of all elective courses offered in the 2024-2025 school year. You can see descriptions for each course on the Course Descriptions page. Please note that a given course may not run if enrollment is too low. STEAM-approved courses may listed under other domains. STEAM-approved electives are marked with an asterisk (*).
Please note that course fees are subject to change.
Advanced European History
Advanced US Government & Politics
Advanced Language and Composition: Non-Fiction Studies
Advanced Chemistry*
Advanced Biology*
Advanced Environmental Science*
Advanced Psychology
World Languages: Mandarin and Spanish
In Grades 9–12, all students are required to successfully complete three years of either Mandarin or Spanish or four years of English, depending on a student’s native language. Exceptions are made under the following conditions:
Students who are ESOL Prep or Transition Level are exempt.
Seniors who are Transition Level ESOL as Juniors are exempt.
Students with an IEP or 504 Plan, which indicates a language waiver in place.
Students who enter Ross School in Grade 11 or 12 with two or more years of successful study in another language may continue studying that language as their primary language, which will be provided through a World Language Independent Study using online coursework, and the student will be responsible for the enrollment fee associated with the online course.
Grade 9 or 10 students who enter mid-year and have no history of Mandarin or Spanish study are not required to join a Mandarin or Spanish course in progress. If they have a history of studying a different language, they may continue studying that language through a World Language Independent Study using online coursework and the student will be responsible for the enrollment fee associated with the online course. Grade 9 students move to
Mandarin or Spanish study the subsequent year, while grade 10 students continue their prior language.
CULTURAL HISTORY
Wealth & Poverty
Global Environmental History
ENGLISH
Creative Writing
ESOL
Advanced English for Academic Purposes
Academic Language Strategies
MEDIA STUDIES
Digital Media Workshop
Sight and Sound ($50)
Personal Story through Photography
Advanced Photography Lab*
Studio Lighting*
The Secret Life of Objects
PERFORMING ARTS
Theatre Survey
History of Theatre I
Acting: Classics
Chamber Ensemble
Chorus
SCIENCE
Forensics
Marine Science
Astronomy
STEAM
Electronics and Soldering*
Metal Fabrication*
Mechanical Engineering
Design Thinking* ($100)
Introduction to Arduino* ($20)
Fabrication Foundations with Hand Tools* ($75)
Coding and Computational Thinking with the Vex V5 Robot* ($50)
TEST PREP
Test Prep
VISUAL ARTS
Ceramics
Painting
Printmaking
Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery
WELLNESS
Strength Training
Kickboxing and Fitness ($70)
Cross Training
Mat Pilates
Yoga + Ayurveda
Multi-sport Training
Basketball Training
Volleyball Training
Tennis Training Class
ATHLETICS
In order to graduate from Ross School, students must participate in an interscholastic athletic team at least once throughout grades 9–12. Interscholastic Athletics are a privilege, not a right. Athletic programs can be a demanding yet rewarding learning environment. Students who choose to participate in an interscholastic team are making a commitment not just to the school but also to the players, coaches, and community. Ross School's Athletics program offers a variety of activities. Interscholastic sports practices generally run 1.5–2 hours and are typically scheduled between 3:05–5:15 pm, Monday–Friday, with some Saturday afternoon practices. Games are played Monday–Saturday during the season. Students are expected to honor their commitment to the team they sign up for by attending all practices and games.
Fall Sports
$150 unless otherwise noted; tryouts may be required and take place at the start of the term.
Boys JV Soccer
Boys JV Golf
Boys Varsity Golf
Boys Varsity Cross Country
JV Football
Girls Varsity Cross Country
Girls JV Tennis
Girls Varsity Tennis
Girls Varsity Volleyball
Girls JV Volleyball
Club Co-ed Rowing ($439)
Winter Sports
$150 unless otherwise noted; tryouts may be required at the start of the term.
Boys JV Basketball
Boys Varsity Basketball
Boys JV/Varsity Wrestling
Boys Varsity Winter Track
Girls JV Basketball
Girls Varsity Winter Track
Club Co-ed Cheer
CULTURAL HISTORY
Social Entrepreneurship
International Politics
ENGLISH
Creative Writing
POP: Potential of Podcasts
Know Thyself in Order to Write
Public Speaking and Non-Verbal Communication
ESOL
Advanced English for Academic Purposes
Academic Language Strategies
Know Thyself in Order to Write
Public Speaking and Non-Verbal Communication
MEDIA STUDIES
Digital Media Workshop
Advanced Media
Personal Story through Photography
Travel Photography
PERFORMING ARTS
Playwriting I
Playwriting II
Playwriting III
History of Theatre II
Acting: Modern America
Chamber Ensemble
Chorus
SCIENCE
Marine Science
Geology and Meteorology
Rube Goldberg Machines
STEAM
Woodworking*
Computer Science*
Animation*
Introduction to Graphic Design*
Future Technologies* ($50)
Software Foundations and Robotic Integration with Arduino* ($25)
Electrical Foundations with Arduino* ($60)
Mechanical Foundations with the Vex V5 Robot* ($75)
TEST PREP
Test Prep*
VISUAL ARTS
Sculpture and Mixed Media Art
Figure Drawing and Fashion Design
WELLNESS
Strength Training
Trails and Garden
Game Ready: General Physical Preparedness Training
Mat Pilates
Yoga + Ayurveda
Multi-sport Training
Basketball Training
Volleyball Training
Tennis Training Class ($550)
ATHLETICS
In order to graduate from Ross School, students must participate in an interscholastic athletic team at least once throughout grades 9–12. Interscholastic Athletics are a privilege, not a right. Athletic programs can be a demanding yet rewarding learning environment. Students who choose to participate in an interscholastic team are making a commitment not just to the school but also to the players, coaches, and community. Ross School's Athletics program offers a variety of activities. Interscholastic sports practices generally run 1.5–2 hours and are typically scheduled between 3:05–5:15 pm, Monday–Friday, with some Saturday afternoon practices. Games are played Monday–Saturday during the season. Students are expected to honor their commitment to the team they sign up for by attending all practices and games.
Winter Sports
$150 unless otherwise noted; tryouts may be required at the start of the term.
Boys JV Basketball
Boys Varsity Basketball
Boys JV/Varsity Wrestling
Boys Varsity Winter Track
Girls JV Basketball
Girls Varsity Winter Track
Club Co-ed Cheer
Spring Sports
$150 unless otherwise noted; tryouts may be required at the start of the term.
Boys JV Lacrosse
Boys Varsity Lacrosse
Boys Varsity Tennis
Boys Varsity Baseball
Boys Varsity Track and Field
Girls JV Lacrosse
Girls Varsity Lacrosse
Girls JV Softball
Girls Varsity Track and Field
Girls Varsity Golf
Girls JV Golf
Club Co-ed Rowing ($439)
Club Co-ed Badminton
