Complete the elective menu below to select next year’s possible electives.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ELECTIVE PLACEMENT IS BASED UPON STATE ASSESSMENT (FSA) SCORES AND AVAILABILITY.WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO PUT STUDENTS INTO THEIR 1ST & 2ND CHOICE BUT AN ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT MAY BE NECESSARY.

Elective Course Descriptions:
Art - This class introduces the elements and principles of art. Students will focus on developing skills which include: drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and collage. They will have the opportunity to experiment and refine skills using a variety of art media. Elements and principles of design will be emphasized in each project.

Advanced Art takes these elements of art to a higher level.  

Physical Education – Students will participate in a variety of physical activities and sports through which they will develop positive attitudes toward group interaction, sportsmanship, cooperation and an appreciation for the abilities of both themselves and others.  Physical fitness testing and weekly running of the mile is required. (☺NOTE: All students are required to complete P.E. in grades 6-8, unless they are enrolled in courses designed to assist in remediation which takes the place of the elective or unless they have a signed P.E. waiver on file each year.)

Spanish 1 - Introduces students to the Spanish language and its culture. Students will develop communicative skills in all 3 modes of communication and cross-cultural understanding. Emphasis is placed on proficient communication in the language. An introduction to reading and writing is also included as well as culture, connections, comparisons, and communities. Spanish 1 is for students who did not take Spanish in 7th grade. Course will count towards High School GPA.

Advanced Spanish- it is a continuation of Intermediate Spanish, so this course is only for students who took Spanish in 7th grade -Intermediate Spanish is a pre-requisite. Course will count towards High School GPA.

Beginning Chorus – This is a performance-based course in which students will be introduced to the fundamentals of singing. In addition, this course is designed to introduce students to the study of music through sight-reading, understanding music terminology and the performance of music in individual and group settings.

Chorus 2 takes the fundamentals of Beginning Chorus and music theory to the next level.

Advanced Chorus takes the fundamentals of music from Beginning Chorus and Chorus 2 to an advanced level of study and performance.  

Beginning Band – This is a performance-based course in which students will be introduced to the basic elements of music playing skills. This course is designed to introduce students to the study of music through sight-reading, understanding music terminology and the performance of music in individual and group settings.

Advanced Band takes the fundamentals of music from Beginning Band to a higher level.    

Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Essentials - This course is the second class in a planned sequence of advanced instruction consisting of two additional courses taken in 6th and 7th grades. Students will be provided opportunities to extend their skills with various software applications by creating more complex documents and using more complex functions. Students will also be exposed to structured programming and the creation of a more complex computer program. Next year’s 8th graders will learn a variety of essential concepts relating to multimedia.  

Teacher Aide – Students who are in good academic and behavioral standing have the opportunity to assist a teacher that they are assigned to with various tasks. Students will build a variety of skills as they assist an assigned teacher throughout the year.



Hernando eSchool Courses:
Students who elect to take an eSchool course should have basic computer skills (i.e., email, Microsoft Word, etc.), be highly motivated, and a self-starter. eSchool courses require a minimum number of assignments that need to be completed each week in order to stay on pace. Students who take an eSchool course are expected to complete the online course through its entirety.

Hernando eSchool course is an independent course and it requires students to monitor their own progress. Once a student is placed in a Hernando eSchool course they will remain in that course for the entirety of the school year and there will be no schedule changes.

Business Keyboarding (Earns ICT Certificate) - Using a special online library of software, you will gain typing speed while learning the proper technique to become a keyboarding master. You will also learn business skills to prepare for your future career. (1 semester course)

Career Research and Decision Making - Learn how to set goals and develop an understanding about making informed career decisions. There will be participation in several self-assessment activities to help in becoming more aware of unique interests, values, and skills. (1 semester course)

Exploring Music Performance - Let us take you on a tour of the musical performing arts in this one-semester course. We will take a closer look at the worlds of bands, choirs and orchestras. What’s the difference between a band and an orchestra? We'll look at the instruments and listen to examples of each. We'll also look at the world of vocal music, acapella groups, choirs and more. This one semester course will introduce you to a world of performance possibilities and how you can begin a lifetime of making music. (1 semester course)

Creative Photography 1 - Learn and apply basic camera skills to photograph animals, people, and landscapes. You will select subjects, take photographs, and print and display memories in your own portfolio. Students must have a digital camera (which can be a cellphone camera) and must be able to upload images to their computer to submit as attachments for grading. (Year-long course)

Beginning Spanish - In this course you will be introduced to the Spanish language. This course is meant for students who have no prior knowledge of the Spanish language and will help build a strong foundation to continue on with Spanish courses. Emphasis will be on the acquisition of four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and limited writing. (Year-long course)

Health Opportunities through Physical Education (HOPE) – Your path to lifelong fitness starts here. You’ll set a variety of goals that will guide you toward leading a healthy lifestyle. During your journey, you’ll perform daily physical activity, design a personal fitness plan that suits your interests, and keep track of your fitness progress. You’ll monitor your exercise and nutrition using a personalized wellness plan. You will create your own meal plans and learn about healthy eating. The importance of first aid and disease prevention will also be covered. Course will count towards High School GPA. (Year-long course)

Digital Information Technology – This course is designed to provide a basic overview of current business and information systems and trends, and to introduce fundamental computer skills required for today’s business and academic environments which will prepare students to be successful both personally and professionally in an information-based society. DIT includes the exploration and use of: databases, the internet, spreadsheets, presentation applications, management of personal info/email, word processing, web page design, and the integration of these programs using software that meets industry standards. Students will receive an IBA Industry Certification after passing the Certification Test. Course will count towards High School GPA.  (Year-long course)

Personal and Family Finance – This course gives an overview of personal and family finance including the American economic system, personal and family management of resources including income, budgeting, saving, investing, spending and credit, the role of financial institutions and the consumer, consumer information and taxation and financial planning. Course will count towards High School GPA. (1 semester course)

Criminal Justice – Explore the fields of law enforcement, the court and correctional systems. Students will acquire technical skill proficiency, industry knowledge, problem-solving skills, and skills needed in all aspects of law, public safety, and security careers. Course will count towards High School GPA. (Year-long course)

Social Media - Students will explore their individual contribution and influential powers through social media. This course examines the world through social media, where citizen journalism is the news, personal audiences are critics/supporters, and personal connection is subjective. Course will count towards High School GPA. (1 semester course)

Peer Counseling 1 - Students will gain skills needed to help succeed in all areas of life. Students will learn how to take action, set goals, manage time, and help peers. Course will count towards High School GPA.
Peer Counseling 2 - Increase confidence and build social skills while learning to conquer peer pressure, social anxiety, and unnecessary risks that can derail futures. Discover how the teen brain really works for better decision-making. Course will count towards High School GPA. (Both are 1 semester courses)