High School Courses

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES Offerings

The study of Family and Consumer Sciences will introduce a student to the study of information and resources to empower individuals and strengthen families. Introductory FCS Skills class is available to ninth grade students entering Penn Manor High School.  This will provide an introduction to many areas of Family and Consumer Sciences, which will be available as electives as upperclassman.  All other courses are content specific. 

Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences: Skills    

630- Grade 9

Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences focuses on the areas defined by the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences.  They include family relationships, child development, caregiver experiences, consumer skills, personal financial education, foods and nutrition, and career exploration.  Career Exploration is also based on the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Career Education and Work. Students will discover their personality preferences and connect them to a pathway and career using Career Cruising. Students will learn the skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Students will be exposed to activities related to finding a job, interviewing skill, and soft skills necessary to succeed in their careers. 

Career Opportunities in Family and Consumer Sciences

Nutrition and Food Science   

621 - Grade 10, 11, 12

This course provides practical activities in the classroom and foods lab to promote knowledge of nutrition, foods and their preparations techniques. The course combines food safety, consumer strategies, personal nutrition and healthy eating, kitchen skills, current topical issues, and food group exploration and application. 

Career Opportunities in Family and Consumer Sciences

Advanced Nutrition and Food Science    

622 - Grade 11, 12

This course is a sequel to Food & Nutrition and further explores techniques and principles of food preparation. A primary objective of the course is to develop the skills used in planning and preparing nutritious meals as well as making good decisions when purchasing foods. Studies include bread making, vegetarianism, cake decorating, soups and salads. A second objective of the course is to increase students' awareness, enjoyment and creativity through an understanding of international foods and their cultural significance, nutritive value, unique flavors and attractive appearance. 

Child Development    

623 - Grade 10, 11, 12

This course focuses on preparation for childcare, careers related to children or parenthood. Students will study the functions of families and parenting skills. The course includes information from prenatal development through school-aged children with an emphasis on stages of growth and development of children. Units on toys, safety, and nutritious foods will also be included.

Career Opportunities in Family and Consumer Sciences

Fashion & Design Foundations 

625 - Grade 10, 11, 12

This course is designed for students who have an interest in fabrics, fabric crafts, and clothing construction. Students will work in the sewing lab to complete a variety of projects of their choosing, determined by their experience and interests. Students will have access to computerized sewing machines. Projects may include fabric crafts, patchwork and quilting, machine embroidery, as well as the construction of garments. Students need to provide materials for individual projects.

Career Opportunities in Family and Consumer Sciences

Advanced Fashion & Design   

626 - Grade 11, 12

This course is designed as a continuation of Fashion and Design. Students are encouraged to develop advanced skills as they work on sewing projects and garment construction. Students taking Advanced Fashion and Design are required to complete more challenging projects as they develop their machine and construction skills. Students need to provide some materials for class projects. 

Housing and Design    


628- Grade 10, 11, 12

Housing and Design addresses selecting and planning living environments to meet the needs and wants of individuals and families throughout the family life cycle. The project-based approach in this course utilizes higher order thinking, communication, leadership, and management processes to integrate housing and interior design content. Topics to be studied include: housing styles, ownership options, contemporary housing issues, environmental energy issues; impacts of technology; ADA compliance options; elements and principles of design; creating functional, safe, and aesthetic spaces; historical aspects and contemporary trends; cost of living and exploration of housing-related careers. This course will include hands-on application, including cross curricular opportunities with Technology Education, Agricultural, and Art departments.

Additional Information: A lab fee will be charged. Students are responsible for individual materials for their construction projects. Course will be offered the beginning of all odd school years, i.e. 2021-22 

Living on Your Own    

632 - Grade 11, 12

This course is designed to introduce students to the skills and abilities necessary for living on your own. Areas of study include personal financial education/renting and buying a home, nutrition and meal preparation, clothing care, consumer skills, child development and personal development. 

Virtual Options   

VL - Career Planning and Development 

EDG7002 Edgenuity Platform - Grades 10,11,12

This course provides the knowledge and insight necessary to complete in today’s challenging job market.  This course helps students investigate careers as they apply to personal interests and abilities and develop skills to enter the workforce.


VL - Child Development 

6231 Moodle Platform- Grades 10, 11, 12

This online course will focus on preparation and readiness for parenthood and/or child related careers during the first marking period.  Topics will include family structures, child theorist, brain research, heredity and environmental influences. The second marking period of this course will continue with conception through the toddler year.  Topics will include pregnancy and child development in the areas of intellectual, physical, social and emotional development throughout the years.  Also included will be nutritional needs, learning through play and safety in the home.


VL - Child Development - Year Long Every Other Day 

62311 Moodle Platform- Grades 11, 12

This online course will focus on preparation and readiness for parenthood and/or child related careers during the first marking period.  Topics will include family structures, child theorist, brain research, heredity and environmental influences. The second marking period of this course will continue with conception through the toddler year.  Topics will include pregnancy and child development in the areas of intellectual, physical, social and emotional development throughout the years.  Also included will be nutritional needs, learning through play and safety in the home.