Electives 9 – 12

ACTIVE LIVING: (Self-Paced Course)
Physical Activity plays a crucial lifelong role in human physical and mental health. To facilitate well-being in these areas, it is important for teens to find and do physical activities that bring joy and fulfillment. This course also addresses sports rules, safety, and injury prevention. There are no live classes or online social components for this course. Students complete a three-pronged approach to physical activity through logs, journaling, and research. All work, activities, and assignments are submitted online. No text is required. (Tuition for this course is reduced as it is independent and self-paced. $175 Duration: maximum 30 weeks.)
BIBLE STUDIES:
Course description coming soon!
All work, assignments, and projects will be available and submitted online.
*Course availability based on sufficient enrollment.
Teacher: TBA
CAREER EXPLORATION:
In this one semester (1/2) credit course, students will explore career options to help them plan for their future. In addition to research on various careers, students will be involved in multiple opportunities to gain experience in the workplace; observation, shadowing, volunteer, etc. Students will expected to keep journal documentation of each experience. Upon completion of the course, students will also have built a workable resume and have experience in completing applications and forms required for secondary education, scholarships, or the workforce. All work and assessments are available and are submitted online. No text is required.
*Course availability will be based on sufficient enrollment.
Teacher: TBA
ELEMENTS OF ART I:
In this course, we will delve into the basic elements of art such as line, texture, color, shape, value, color theory, perspective, and art history. We will also look at Christianity’s influence throughout art history and how Christians are using the principles of art and design in today’s world. The focus of this class will be to help the student develop a better understanding of their own creative process, developing the eye to hand coordination through weekly sketchbook tasks, and encouraging individual creativity with open ended assignments. We will focus on techniques of drawing, advanced watercolor, and color mixing techniques, as well as the use of ink. Multimedia will be introduced where relevant. Students will be responsible for obtaining all class materials. Students will be required to obtain all class materials. The necessary supply list will be made available prior to the beginning of school.
*Course availability will be based on sufficient enrollment.
Teacher: Miss Garvin
ELEMENTS OF ART II: (New Course!)
This course builds on the foundation established in Elements of Art I and integrates concepts from the Photography class, giving students the opportunity to apply key principles like composition, lighting, perspective, and viewpoints to their own artwork. Students will also explore areas of personal interest, such as illustration, nature, and urban landscapes. We will continue to explore the impact of Christianity on art history and examine how contemporary Christian artists incorporate principles of art and design into their work. The course will place a strong emphasis on refining eye-to-hand coordination through weekly sketchbook exercises, while encouraging the development of each student’s individual creative voice. Students will use their own photography as references for artistic expression. The class will focus on mastering advanced techniques using both familiar and new media, with the introduction of multimedia elements where appropriate. Students will be responsible for obtaining their own materials, and a supply list will be provided before the start of the school year.(PREREQUISITE: ELEMENTS OF ART I)
*Course availability will be based on sufficient enrollment.
Teacher: Miss Garvin
HOME ECONOMICS I: (New Course!)
This Home Economics course is designed to provide students with essential life skills that will serve them both now and in the future. Through a hands-on, interactive approach, students will explore practical techniques, acquire valuable knowledge, and build the confidence needed to manage daily home tasks effectively. The course will cover 5-6 key units, which may include cooking nutritious meals, an introduction to sewing, event planning, and the art of greeting and caring for guests. This course is intended to empower students to develop both new skills and enhance existing ones, preparing them for a more well-rounded, independent lifestyle when they go out on their own. Students will be required to obtain all materials for each unit.
*Course availability will be based on sufficient enrollment.
Teacher: TBA
INTRO TO FINANCE AND BUSINESS:
This Intro to Finance & Business High School elective course provides students with an overview of personal finances & basics of business management. Personal finance topics that we will address in class include good stewardship, smart budgeting practices, insurance & investment options, as well as information about taxes. The business portion of the course focuses on career exploration, understanding supply & demand, learning the types of businesses, legal considerations, administrative operations, marketing & branding, as well as effective leadership tools. Two major projects will be done during the year. All work and assessments are available and are submitted online.
*Course availability will be based on enrollment.
Teacher: Miss McNulty
NUTRITION:
With the goal to foster a healthy relationship with food, students will study the fundamentals of nutrition science from a weight-neutral approach. This course covers macro- and micronutrient requirements of the human body, how to practice intuitive eating habits, and examine what the Bible says about food and nutrition. During this class, students will also learn about aspects of community nutrition and explore food and culture within the United States. No textbook is required at this time, and any instructional materials needed for completing assignments will be uploaded onto the class platform for student use. Students will be asked to contribute to weekly collaboration with classmates and the teacher, to submit short reflection papers/photographic evidence for projects as assigned, and to complete a final capstone project at the end of the school year.
*Course availability based on sufficient enrollment.
Teacher: TBA
MUSIC THEORY & COMPOSITION I:
Students will study music theory and apply these principles in their own compositions in this course. An understanding of music theory gives the musician the foundational tools and skills needed to succeed with any instrument or in vocal performance. This course is designed to introduce theory in a fun and informative way to help each student understand each new concept thoroughly. In addition to delving into theory principles, ear training is also introduced and taught. Students will be required to purchase two textbooks: Alfred’s Essential Music Theory (complete with CD) and a second textbook, to be announced. They will also need access to either MuseScore or NoteFlight online and a keyboard is recommended.
*Course availability will be based on sufficient enrollment.
Teacher: Mrs Coffey
PHOTOGRAPHY: (New Course!)
This 1/2 credit course introduces students to the fundamentals of photography, covering camera operation and basic editing techniques. Students will explore both smartphone and DSLR camera settings, including aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and the differences between manual and automatic modes. Proper camera handling and stabilization techniques will also be emphasized. Through lessons on image composition, depth of field, lighting, and perspective, students will develop an eye for strong photographic storytelling. They will experiment with various genres, including portrait, landscape, macro, action, and still life photography. Additionally, students will study the work of influential photographers to understand photography’s impact on the arts and its role in visual storytelling. Students will be responsible for obtaining all class materials. The necessary supply list will be made available prior to the beginning of school.
*Course availability will be based on sufficient enrollment.
Teacher: Miss Garvin
PHYSICAL EDUCATION & HEALTH:
With the goal to provide students with the tools of lifelong health and fitness, this course combines both knowledge acquisition and physical activity. Students will study the benefits of physical fitness and develop a physical fitness plan. The class will delve into topics such as cardiovascular health, muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, and nutrition, while logging their physically active hours. Students will be asked to participate in and organize opportunities for physical activity–like a youth volleyball tournament–and use their critical thinking to develop and teach rules to a game of their own creation. No textbook is required. All work, assignments, and assessments are available and submitted online. Students will be asked to contribute to forum discussions, keep accurate activity logs, and provide video/photo evidence of some assignments.
*Course availability based on sufficient enrollment.
Teacher: TBA
PIANO KEYBOARD I:
The goal of this course is for students to learn to play a keyboard instrument (acoustic or electronic piano) for the glory of God, in church, or for their own worship and pleasure. Students will learn the fundamentals of music theory including note reading and rhythm, the Circle of Fifths, and how to play scales/chords/cadences/arpeggios, as well as how to apply these same concepts “by ear”. By completion of the course, students will have the equivalent of level 2 in piano lessons as well as improvisation instruction(playing by ear) and will know primary and secondary chords for each scale and key signature. The course will require students to have access to a piano or electronic keyboard during the class, as well as a mic and video (for Zoom). Students will be required to practice a minimum of two hours throughout the week in order to become proficient on the keyboard. The class will include minimal written work (for theory only). This course offers something for all levels of skill; beginners to intermediate level students will benefit from the course. There will be a textbook required—TBA.
*Course availability will be based on sufficient enrollment.
Teacher: Mrs Coffey
SERVICE LEADERSHIP:
“Insomuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these…” In this course, students will be given the opportunity to earn credits toward graduation by volunteering locally. The teacher will guide the students as well as monitor the volunteer experience routinely. Students will be responsible for finding their volunteer placement, having it approved by the teacher each term, and submitting an accurate record of volunteer hours. (There are requirements that must be met for placements to qualify.) The course will consist of 120 hours of volunteer time, frequent communication with the teacher, weekly collaboration with classmates via a forum, and a reflection paper due at the end of the course which will serve as the final exam. All work and assessments are available and are submitted online. No text is required.
*Course availability will be based on sufficient enrollment.
Teacher: TBA
SPANISH I:
This is a beginner level Spanish course which offers an introduction to the exciting and fun language of Spanish. Students will learn the Spanish alphabet, pronunciation, basic vocabulary related to everyday life, simple grammatical structures, verb conjugation, and cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking countries. Students will be assessed on both written and verbal parts of the language. A Bob Jones University Press e-text is required and will be provided to each student.
*Course availability based on sufficient enrollment.
**Course offered on a rotating basis with Spanish II
Teacher: Mrs Carroll
SPANISH II:
This is the second level of Spanish that is structured to build on the vocabulary, grammatical concepts, and cultural topics studied in Spanish I. Students will expand their vocabulary, study more complex grammatical structures, and learn additional verb tenses. The purpose of this course is to increase proficiency in the Spanish language. This will be accomplished by broadening skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. A Bob Jones University Press e-text is required and will be provided to each student.
*Course availability based on sufficient enrollment.
**Course offered on a rotating basis with Spanish I
Teacher: Mrs Carroll
SPEECH:
Students enrolled in this BAO High School elective course will be provided with 30 weeks of instruction covering topics such as public speaking, informational presentations, interview skills, debate, & theater. Multiple of the weekly live sessions will include impromptu speeches for students to practice using concepts and gain confidence speaking in front of peers. Projects including recorded interviews outside of class time are built into the course work. As part of the course, students will participate in a mock trial court case, give a persuasive presentation, & deliver a Bible lesson. All work and assessments are available and are submitted online.
*Course availability will be based on enrollment.
Teacher: Miss McNulty
Course Features
- Duration 30 weeks
- Time
- Day of week
- Skill level All level
- Available Seats 10