General Electives

GRADES 9 - 12

Student Leadership

Grade level(s): 9 - 12

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: also offered zero period; may be repeated for credit; required for elected officers

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): 9 (by recommendation only), 10 - 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 build meaningful friendships with students in the Options Program and assist them with their classwork. Peer tutors will provide social engagement and academic support to students in the Options Program in one of two formats: one on one in a general education class or small group in an Options Program-specific class (or special education class). Students will receive coaching and strategies to be successful in the tutoring process. Students who anticipate multiple planned absences (due to travel, athletic competitions or college visits) should consider taking another elective. A consistent and reliable presence is essential to building a positive peer tutor relationship.

Teacher’s Assistant

Grade level(s): 12

Length/credit: one semester/one elective credit; grading for this course is pass/fail

Prerequisite(s): requires coordination between student, registrar and preferred placement

Other information: may be repeated for credit; one per semester; space is limited and determined after registration

This class is an opportunity for high school students to be a teacher’s assistant. Placements are assigned and may include Attendance, Administration, teacher or Student Services. Teacher’s assistants help with organization, logistical and administrative tasks.

Middle School Teacher’s Administrative Assistant

Grade level(s): 12

Length/credit: one semester/one elective credit; grading for this course is pass/fail

Other information: students must be approved by the Middle School Principal and Middle School Assistant Principal; may be repeated for credit

This class is an opportunity for high school student leaders to help plan middle school activities, engage in dialogue about leadership with middle school administrators and perform organizational and administrative tasks to help the middle school operate smoothly. Middle school teacher’s assistants will work closely with the middle school principal and assistant principal.

AP Seminar

Grade level(s): 10, 11, 12

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 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. Students design, plan, and conduct a year-long research-based investigation to address a research question through this exploration. 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.