General Electives
007SM - EXECUTIVE TEAM REPORTER: 4 Terms / 4 Credits, Grades 11-12
The Executive Team Reporter student role is a "course" that allows the student(s) to work alongside Wayzata High School Administration to promote academic achievement, WHS events, and WHS students' success stories using a variety of social media tools, including but not limited to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The Executive Team Reporter ideally has a focus on increasing and showcasing student engagement within the Wayzata High School community. The Executive Team Reporter role takes up one block per day for the entire school year. An application is required and available at http://bit.ly/ETR-Application.
046 - ACADEMIC MENTOR: FOUNDATIONS OF LEADERSHIP 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 11-12 [Consider becoming an Academic Mentor! video]
Prerequisites: 11th or 12th grade; 10th graders may be considered for a mentorship with WHS staff recommendation
The goal of the academic mentorship program is to provide academic support and enrichment to students through questioning techniques and authentic, supportive relationships. This course is an opportunity for students to be role models and acquire leadership experiences in an academic environment. Students who work as Academic Mentors provide academic assistance in classrooms at WHS and other district schools, in 1:1 or small group sessions, in the ARC, the WEC, and beyond. Mentors are expected to maintain a safe learning environment by upholding confidentiality and student privacy. All mentors are expected to complete a 1-week training at the beginning of each term. This is the first course in the Academic Mentor sequence. Any returning mentors should sign-up for Academic Mentor: Educational Leadership.
Testimonial:
"I am grateful to have been an Academic Mentor for a total of 4 terms, and it was one of my favorite courses I have taken here at WHS. I am thankful for the training, as it really set me up to be a great mentor for the students who need it, and it showed me how to deal with almost all situations encountered in the day-to-day environment of the classroom. This course has given me tools to be more of a leader, and that is something I cannot thank this program enough for."
048 - ACADEMIC MENTOR: EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 11-12 [Infographic] [Consider becoming an Academic Mentor! video]
Prerequisite: Academic Mentor: Foundations of Leadership
Academic Mentor: Educational Leadership is designed for student leaders who want an immersive and meaningful learning experience supporting student growth & learning. It is available for students who have taken Academic Mentor: Foundations of Leadership and are looking for another opportunity to support their peers while growing as a leader. Mentors working in this capacity have the opportunity to support students in a variety of contents and, if interested, at other schools within the WPS district. Students in the course will complete Cultural Competency and Microaggressions training to gain perspective & understanding of the experiences of others to enhance their work as a mentor. Educational Leadership is the second course in the Academic Mentor sequence and can be taken multiple times.
049 - ACADEMIC MENTOR: WRITING EXPLORATION CENTER (WEC) (Student Writing Tutor): 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 11-12
[Consider becoming an Academic Mentor! video]
Prerequisites: Academic Mentor: Foundations of Leadership
The goal of WEC Academic Mentors is to provide writing support and writing enrichment to students. This course is an opportunity for students to be role models and acquire leadership experiences in an academic environment. Academic Mentors serving as writing tutors in the WEC will learn how to coach peers in the writing process: pre-writing strategies, organization, editing, revising, and publishing in 1:1 in-person and virtual (on-line essay submissions) settings. In addition, WEC mentors will flex their responsibilities to support all subject areas when requested at times by teachers for specific assignment support. WEC mentors will also collaborate with district and community experts to develop and sustain on-line WEC resources. Mentors are expected to maintain a safe learning environment by upholding confidentiality and student privacy. All mentors are expected to complete a 1 week training at the beginning of each term.
Mentors staffing the WEC before or after school will be eligible for late arrival/early dismissal in accordance with their schedule.
056 - HONORS MENTOR CONNECTION: 4 Terms / 4 Credits, Grades 11-12 [Work Based Learning Experiences Comparison]
Prerequisite: Application Process. Selected students may enroll.
Honors Mentor Connection (HMC) is a highly selective, rigorous, academic course offered at WHS. HMC students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question, that will culminate in the submission of an academic research paper to the College Board and the MN Department of Education. Students must have an area of intense interest, a history of academic success in advanced coursework (especially in the area of interest), and a proven ability to work independently. Students are enrolled in the class through an interview and an application process. The process takes place in December/January of the year prior to enrollment. Students selected for this program must understand they are committing to earning 4 credits through their work in this off-campus, year-long program. The course may not be dropped once the school year has started. Students will submit their original research projects to the MN Department of Education’s Scholars of Distinction Program. In addition, students meeting the requirements of the College Board, may earn AP Research credit.
057 - COLLEGE READY: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-11
COURSE CURRENTLY NOT OFFERED
Would you like to amp up your skills before taking a college-level or AP course? Students will work to increase their college readiness in the areas of Reading, English, and Writing. These skills will support success in any College level or AP course.
059A,B,C,D - SCIMENT ONLINE PROGRAM: 4 Terms / 4 Credits, Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: High academic achievement in science. Science Research A, B, C, and D are four 1-term offerings that must be taken in a sequence, but timing is flexible.
SciMent is an alternative to Honors Mentor Connection offered through District 287 and Northern Star Online. It is designed to provide talented students an opportunity for high academic achievement in science through independent research, mentoring, and competition in the Intel Science & Engineering Fair, the premiere science competition in the world. Students may not be concurrently enrolled in Honors Mentor Connection and SciMent. WHS students may enroll in SciMent and earn credits toward their 16 yearly credits OR they may enroll in SciMent in addition to 16 credits at WHS and complete the work outside the normal school day. If a student enrolls in SciMent in addition to a full course load at WHS, the student will be responsible for paying the tuition. Students enrolled in SciMent during the school day and not assigned to a WHS class must leave the campus during the block dedicated to SciMent. Students involved in extra-curricular activities may return at the end of the school day and participate. Visit the website for more information: https://www.district287.org/academic-services/gifted-programs/.
265 - TROJAN ACADEMY: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: Student Support Team Approval
Would you like to work on academic study skills and have time in the day to complete homework and study preparations for your other classes? Trojan Academy class is designed to help you set goals and prioritize tasks each week as you work to become a better student, meet assignment and project due dates, and prepare for assessments. Specific study skills will be taught and utilized throughout the course. Students are typically referred to enroll in Trojan Academy, but you may also contact a member of your Student Support Team if you are interested.
Student Testimonial:
"As a student athlete who doesn't have much time on my hands, Trojan Academy was a blessing. I used my time wisely so I could go and do my sports or even have time to myself for my hobbies. I recommend this class if you have a busy life and schedule because it makes it easier. It also taught me how to schedule and time manage with my life so I can be more productive and make high school easier for me. Even if you aren't busy, you'll still learn useful life skills, time management, scheduling, and staying on track."
581 - CHINESE CULTURE AND BEYOND: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12
COURSE CURRENTLY NOT OFFERED
This course is for any WHS student (with or without a language background) who is interested in learning about Chinese culture and history. Heritage speakers are encouraged to take this course before taking the Chinese Level 5 and/or AP Chinese course. Students earn a general elective credit for this course. In Chinese Culture and Beyond, students learn to:
Understand traditional and modern Chinese social systems
Understand the relationship between the traditional written character and simplified written character
Understand Chinese customs and ancient philosophy
Experience the authenticity of Chinese cuisine
Examine influences and contributions to the world
Examine in detail the relationship among the products, practices, and perspectives of the learner’s culture and the target culture.
Compare the learner’s cultural products, practices, and perspectives with the target culture.
901 - WORK EXPERIENCE 1: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Work Based Learning Experiences Comparison]
This course is for students who wish to work at a job during the school day. Students will earn credit if they meet the set criteria. Students will learn the information and techniques necessary to navigate through the world of work. A few of the areas we will cover will be job resume, safety on the job, interviewing skills, workplace conflict resolution, as well as several more.
902 - WORK EXPERIENCE 2: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Work Based Learning Experiences Comparison]
Prerequisite: Work Experience 1
This course is a continuum of 901: Work Experience 1, for students who wish to work at a job during the school day. Students will earn credit if they meet the set criteria.
903 - WAYZATA CAFÉ WORK EXPERIENCE: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Age 16+
Prerequisite: Must be age 16 and eligible to work in Minnesota
This course is for students who wish to work in our Wayzata Public Schools' Café during the school day. Positions are currently available at Wayzata High School only but may be offered at other buildings depending on need. Students will participate in on-the-job activities, including but not limited to food preparation/packaging, supply stocking, inventory management, organization, food service, clean-up, dish-washing, and customer service. Students will earn compensation and credit if they meet the set criteria. Students will be expected to fill out a formal application, submit employment verification documents, participate in a paid orientation session, and complete hiring paperwork as part of the onboarding for this position. Fill out the WHS Café Work Experience Interest Questionnaire if you are interested. Contact Tyler Shepard if you have any questions.