1.0 credit                 Grades 9, 10, 11, 12             Full-Year       

Prerequisite: None

Graduation Requirement Area: additional credits only

English for Speakers of Other Languages is designed for non-native speakers of English. Emphasis is on integrating students into regular classes. In addition to providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary for academic success in content areas of English and history, the ESOL course offers assistance to help students adjust to the school culture and American culture in general.

The ESOL curriculum is designed to give students mastery of English through an integrated skill approach. All four skills, reading, writing, speaking, and listening, are emphasized. Authentic English readings and videos lead to class discussion and writing assignments. Grammar and vocabulary are studied within the context of high-interest topics along with relevant reading passages and exercises in grammar workbooks.  

.5 credit                   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12             S1, S2

Prerequisite: Recommendation of the student’s school team

Graduation Requirement Area: Open STEAM

Effective School Solutions (ESS) is a program designed to provide in-school counseling support to students experiencing difficulty navigating high school due to social-emotional issues. Students participating in ESS develop skills in dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal relationships, coping skills, and self-advocacy. Through these techniques, students learn to manage emotional dysregulation to achieve academic and social successes. ESS is a group-based program enrolling a maximum of 20 students split between two groups. As part of the ESS program, students are enrolled in the class Insights and Solutions, which is graded on a pass/fail basis. Additionally, students receive individual counseling for 30 minutes once per week and family counseling for 30 minutes twice per month.

Students participate in ESS to be better prepared to manage stress, anxiety, and regulate emotions. Students will gain insight into how behaviors and actions affect their thoughts and ability to achieve goals. Students will skillfully increase satisfaction in their relationships with teachers, peers, and family. Students will learn to make better decisions and improve problem solving skills. Students will learn perspective-taking strategies and be able to apply these in their day-to-day life.

.5 credit                   Grades 9, 10, 11, 12             S1, S2

Prerequisite: None

Graduation Requirement Area: Open STEAM

Wellness Seminar is an elective course open to all students and designed to help them develop and maintain healthy relationships, communicate effectively, and manage the emotional ups and downs of teenage life. This course is a school-based adaptation of Dialectical Behavioral Skills Training. There are four main modules in the course: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Students learn and practice problem solving, decision making, and communication skills important for navigating high school and the post-secondary transition. Students with an interest in psychology, counseling, or education are encouraged to take this course. Grading is on a pass/fail basis. Interested students are encouraged to speak with their school counselor.