General Electives

GRADES 9 - 12

Principles of Leadership

Grade level(s): 9 - 12 Length/credit: one semester/one elective credit; students are graded using the traditional grading scale Prerequisite(s): none This course facilitates the development of leadership skills through the coordination and organization of Eastside Catholic activities. This course is designed around the Touchstone of Servant Leadership. Special emphasis is placed on character development and the creation and implementation of school and community projects, including setting personal and team goals, evaluating individual and group dynamics and dealing with personal and community challenges. Students in this class are expected to attend out-of-school activities and fully participate in all activities.

Student Leadership

Grade level(s): 10 - 12 (available to ninth-grade class officers elected fall term) Length/credit: full year/two elective credits; students earn an ‘A’, Pass or No Credit Prerequisite(s): students must sign up in person with Leadership Teacher Other information: offered zero period only; may be repeated for credit This course facilitates the development of leadership skills through the coordination and organization of Eastside Catholic activities and is designed around the Touchstone of Servant Leadership. Special emphasis is placed on character development and the creation and implementation of school and community projects, including setting personal and team goals, evaluating individual and group dynamics and dealing with personal and community challenges. Students are expected to attend out-of-school activities and fully participate in all activities.

Options Program Peer Tutor

Grade level(s): 11, 12 Length/credit: one semester/one elective credit Prerequisite(s): demonstration of consistent daily attendance in the previous semester Other information: may be repeated for credit This course is for students who wish to assist students in the Options Program with their class work. Students will work one-on-one and in small groups in the Options Program classroom and/or in general education classes to assist the student in the learning process. Students will receive coaching and strategies to be successful in the tutoring process.

Middle School Administrative Teacher’s Assistant

Grade level(s): 12 Length/credit: one semester/one elective credit Other information: students must be approved by the Middle School Principal and Middle School Assistant Prinicpal; may be repeated for credit This class is an opportunity for high school student leaders to help plan middle school activities, eat lunch with middle school students, engage in dialogue on leadership with middle school administrators and perform necessary tasks to help the middle school operate smoothly. Middle school teacher’s assistants will work closely with the middle school principal and the middle school assistant principal.

AP Seminar

Grade level(s): 10, 11 Length/credit: full year/two elective credits Prerequisite(s): none

AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic, real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies and foundational literary and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in research-based written essays and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments.

AP Research

Grade level(s): 11, 12 Length/credit: full year/two elective credits Prerequisite(s): AP Seminar

AP Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration, students design, plan and conduct a year-long research-based investigation to address a research question. In the AP Research course, students further their skills acquired in the AP Seminar course by understanding research methodology; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing and synthesizing information as they address a research question. Students explore their skill development, document their processes and curate the artifacts of the development of their scholarly work in a portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000-5,000 words (accompanied by a performance or exhibition of product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense.