8th grade class selections

2026-27

Art 1:  This is a hands-on introductory 2D art course that focuses on the 7 elements of design: Line, Shape, Value, Form, texture, Color and space. Fee required.

Art 2: This is a hands-on 2D art class. That takes a deeper dive into art elements and the principles of design. fee required.

Band 1 - Percussion: Percussion includes: drums and rhythm instruments. Students are introduced to basic music reading skills and beginning instruction. Students will move to Beginning Band 2nd Semester. Percussion kits are required. Fee required.

Beginning Brass: Brass includes: Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Baritone, and Tuba.  Students are introduced to basic-music reading skills and instruction. Instrument required. Purchase or rental of instruments is the parent’s responsibility. Fee required. Combined with woodwinds at semester.

Band 1- Woodwinds: Woodwinds include: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, and Bassoon.  Students are introduced to basic-music reading skills and instruction. Instrument required. Purchase or rental of instruments is the parent’s responsibility. Fee required. Combined with beginning band brass at semester.

Band II - Large Ensemble: Prerequisite Beginning Band or competencies. Basic instrument knowledge and musical skills will be expanded on. Attendance at various performances is required. Instruments and fee required.

Band II - Percussion (Int/Adv): Prerequisite of Percussion I - Performs with Int/Adv Band II. Fee required.

Beginning Choir: Open to male and female voices. Students will study how to sing in harmony and how to take care of the voice.  Concert performance is required for each term.  Fee required.

Beginning choir - SA (Soprano/Alto) - By Audition: Open to male and female voices. Students will study how to sing in harmony and how to take care of the voice.  Concert performance is required for each term.  Fee required.

Advanced choir - - By Audition: Open to male and female voices by audition only.  Students will study how to combine the female and male voices into a choral experience.  Many concert performances may be required for each term.  Fee required.

Advanced choir SA-Provides opportunities for students to develop their musical potential and aesthetic understanding through singing in a choral soprano/alto ensemble. Must include all four strands: Create, Perform, Respond, Connect.

Creative Writing: Teaches the skills and strategies necessary to write creatively

Current Events: Students will discover and analyze current events through many different outlets such as newspapers, television, radio, and the internet. Many different current topics will be discussed, you will engage in conversations and debates related to the recent events in the news.

Exploring Health Sciences: Course will introduce students to health science professions and explore different opportunities in the health science pathways.  They will also understand the history of health sciences and how it has progressed through innovation.  Students will have knowledge of CTSO (HOSA) involvement and possible participation in CTSO if available at their schools.

FACS: This class is designed to prepare students for hands-on experiences in the areas of: Interior Design, clothing Construction, Foods & Nutrition, Childcare, Family Relationships, Personal Responsibility Consumerism/Entrepreneurship and Career & job related tasks. Fee  required.

Fine Art Dance: A beginning level dance course that builds dance knowledge and skill with a focus on dance as an art form

Gateway Architecture: This course uses an industry standard program (Autodesk Revit) to teach students how to 3D design houses. This class covers how houses are built, how to design a house, how to make a house more energy efficient, and gives students a great foundation for a career in Architecture, Interior Design, or constructions

Gate Robotics: Students will use VEX V5 robotics equipment to build mechanisms, which are the basic building blocks of mechanical systems. Then they will use these mechanisms to build solutions to various problems. Students will also learn basic text-based programming through the VR VEX coding program, which can be used on any device. Fee Required.

General P.E.: This course is designed for the schools which have multiple grades in a course of Physical Education to complete .5 credits of PE.

Guitar/Intermediate: Students will learn basic chords and strumming patterns.  They will continue to build basic skills with the left and right hand.  Students will be introduced to ensemble playing.  Acoustic guitar and fee required.

PE Dance: ILA Dance classes may include ballet, technique, or other dance styles. Dance classes can help students develop their creativity, self-image, and physical fitness.

Orchestra/Beginning: Students explore classical, bluegrass and jazz styles while learning to play the violin, viola, cello or bass.  Instrument and fee required.

Orchestra/Advanced: Beginning Orchestra competencies are required.  Field trips and festivals are planned to enhance the musical experience.  Instrument and fee required.

Reading for Enjoyment: any type of reading - fiction or non-fiction - that students engage with in their free time and of their own volition.

Spanish 1:  The emphasis of Spanish I is oral communication.  Students will discuss and learn about Spanish speaking countries and their culture

Spanish 2: Prerequisite Spanish I:  The emphasis is oral communication.  This class is a continuation of Spanish I.  Students will discuss and learn about Spanish speaking countries and their culture.

Drama 1: You will be introduced to communication skills and dramatic arts. You will have the opportunity to perform pantomime, improve, monologues, commercials, and a final scene.  Fee required.

Drama 2: Prerequisite Drama I. This course is a continuation of Drama I. You will have opportunities to perform pantomimes, monologues, write scenes, children’s stories, creative drama, and improv.  Students will learn theater history.  Fee required.