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Options Program - High School Special Education
The Options Program offers individualized academic and life skill development for high school students with diagnosed intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Our student-centered special education program is designed to give students the critical foundational skills and confidence they need to live actively and independently in their community. With our experiential learning approach, students achieve deeper knowledge by actively exploring real-world challenges.
Students enrolled in the Options Program experience inclusion and integration in the school community through full participation in school events, activities, retreats, clubs, campus ministry and athletics. To further cultivate and promote a feeling of belonging and a stronger school community, students in the Options Program can enroll in general education courses with modifications to coursework specifically aligned with their capabilities and goals.
Options Program core courses taught by dedicated special education faculty include non-credited courses in communications, independent living skills, language development, life mathematics, religious studies, social studies, health and science. Individualized instruction using a wide variety of teaching tools and methods meets students where they are in their social, academic and adaptive skill development. Options Program teachers focus on student’s abilities rather than their disabilities through experiential learning and student-centered learning environments.
The Options Program is not a high school diploma program. Because the Options Program is about life success, all students earn a “Certificate of Completion” at the end of the program.
GRADES 9 - 12
SE Social Skills/Independent Living
Grade level(s): 9 -12
Length/credit: full year
Prerequisite(s): none
This course combines social skills, independent living skills development and practice. Students learn social and emotional skills through the Everyday Speech curriculum program. Learning targets are taught through interactive videos, worksheets, group activities and role-play. Students learn through video recordings to model a desired skill. Videos teach many social competencies to improve school adjustment, cope with our ever-changing social environment, help navigate emotions, make informed social decisions to solve problems and understand prescribed social rules.
The teaching approach includes “Introduce, Practice, Apply, Review.” Students move from the simple to complex, concrete to the abstract as concepts are taught, practiced for mastery, applied to new situations and finally reviewed. Students practice and master daily living skills in their community through community-oriented daily lesson plans, experimental learning, group activities, real-life environments and role-playing. Students gain an understanding of social cues and expectations in their everyday life. Students learn to cook through engaging stepby-step cooking activities and corresponding worksheets. Easy-to-follow text and picture-only recipes improve independent food preparation skills through hands-on learning lessons.
Students learn practical skills through simple, real-world activities designed to provide hands-on ways to help improve sequencing, reading comprehension, vocabulary, expressive language, problem-solving, visual and written language, independent living skills and social skills.
SE Career Exploration
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): none
Over this year-long course, students learn about the National Career Clusters and other potential career pathways they could take. This course allows students to examine many options to decide on the future that resonates most with them. Students learn about the areas of training, planning and the skills they must develop for their career of choice. Learning targets include: finding strengths and turning them into a career, setting goals and creating a game plan, building workplace skills, experimenting with careers, exploring job training and preparing for employment. Teaching resources include worksheets, lesson plans, handouts, pre-and post-course assessments to gauge student knowledge and in-depth career research project. Through engaging instruction with various teaching methods, including visual, experiential activities and interactive tools, students can achieve an understanding of all the concepts in this course.
SE Health and Wellness
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: semester
Prerequisite(s): none
This semester-long course provides students with critical knowledge about the importance of health and wellness. This course covers topics students will encounter in the real world. The course teaches health skills that align with the National Health Standards, including wellness, safety, nutrition, nutritional planning, hygiene, selfidentity, stress management and social-emotional development. Students practice and learn to apply health skills in various situations they may encounter throughout their lifetime. Students learn to recognize the meaning of healthy and unhealthy and understand what it means to be healthy. Through engaging instruction with a variety of teaching methods including pictures, auditory, and kinesthetic, virtual and live labs, animations and interactive tools, students achieve an understanding of all the concepts in this course.
SE Intro to Computer Skills
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: semester
Prerequisite(s): none
In this semester-long course, students gain a basic understanding of how computers work, what computers can do and how technology can be helpful. Learning targets include keyboarding skills, turning on/off, logging on/off, opening and closing programs, using web browsers, working with Microsoft Office (primarily Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and Excel), file maintenance and organization, accessing and writing email correspondence, using the internet for research and internet safety. Teaching methods include daily hands-on, real-world computer practice using student laptops with experiential activities and virtual interactive learning tools.
SE Intro To Phonics
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): placement by assessment and recommendation
The course focuses on alphabetic principles, phonics awareness, letter identification and letter-sound correspondence. With a scaffolded teaching approach, students receive individualized practice and instruction. Early readers interact with engaging short story episodes designed to instill key reading fundamentals, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and beginning comprehension. Once readers have demonstrated a solid grasp of the basics, they move on to the four primary components of reading comprehension: finding facts, making inferences, identifying themes and learning vocabulary in context. Teaching methods include pictures and music with letters, sounds and words, interactive online learning tools and 1:1 readaloud practice.
SE Reading, Writing and Vocabulary
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): placement by assessment and recommendation
This course focuses on repeated encounters with frequently seen sight words and three-word endings. Students begin to recognize and read new terms in isolation, followed by the context of phrases, sentences and stories. Students use learned words in various reading activities, including matching pictures to words, using manipulatives, reading story books, practicing spelling and writing and playing interactive card and board games to reinforce word recognition and comprehension. Using pictures, music, auditory and visual repetition and 1:1 read-aloud practice, students identify the relationship between letters in the spelling of words and their sounds.
SE American Literature
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length/credit: full year
Prerequisite(s): placement by assessment and recommendation
In this course, students read fiction and poetry written by American authors. Students examine literary texts to gain an understanding of the thoughts and feelings of authors who helped define American culture. Students concentrate on writing for many different purposes and audiences. The primary goal for this course includes building confidence and improving reading and writing skills. Reading and writing focus areas include comprehension, inferences, context clues, fluency, vocabulary, and short story writing.
SE World Literature
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): placement by assessment and recommendation
The course includes reading stories and poetry written by authors from around the world. Students examine literary texts to gain an understanding of the thoughts and feelings of authors from different geographic areas and cultures. Students concentrate on writing for many different purposes and audiences. A primary goal for this course includes building confidence and improving reading and writing skills. Reading and writing focus areas include comprehension, inferences, context clues, fluency, vocabulary and short story writing.
SE Intro to Math
Grade level(s) 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): placement by assessment and recommendation
This full-year course covers number recognition, number patterns, recognizing patterns, counting, count sequence, number writing, colors, shapes and money. Students learn the relationship between numbers and quantities and comparing numbers. Learning targets include fewer or more, greater or less than or equal to, inside and outside, long and short, sorting and different and same. Teaching methods include using manipulatives, objects, worksheets, fingers, mental images, sounds (e.g., claps), songs and pictures/animations.
SE Math Life Skills Fundamentals
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): placement by assessment and recommendation
This full-year course covers addition, subtraction, mixed operations and comparison, multiplication, division, measurement, data, time, money and purchasing in real-life settings. Skills are learned by solving word and picture problems involving adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart and comparing, with unknowns in all positions. Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison, e.g., by using real-life pictures and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem, distinguishing multiplicative comparison from additive comparison. Teaching methods include using real-life objects, pictures/ visuals, songs, worksheets, equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem, menus, grocery shopping lists and purchasing and sorting.
SE Pre-Algebra/ALEKS
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): placement by assessment and recommendation
This full-year course involves the practical study of pre-algebra mathematics. Students use ALEKS, a studentpaced online math assessment and adaptive learning program that helps students review and successfully master the skills needed to meet critical mathematical benchmarks and standards. Using adaptive questioning, ALEKS precisely identifies which math concepts a student knows and doesn’t know within a unit. Then, through individualized instruction, each student is provided with a personalized learning pathway that focuses on the exact topics they are most ready to learn, allowing ALEKS to effectively target any unfinished learning while minimizing frustration, accelerating momentum, and building confidence.
SE Theology
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): none
This full-year gospel-centered course uses practical teaching applications to help students identify and understand divine beings, spiritual love, forgiveness and the power to change. Students learn the gospel is a theological concept used in many religions and that it is a message about salvation by a divine figure who brings peace and other positive benefits to humankind. Through group activities, stories, pictures, writing prompts, art, music and dance, students gain an understanding of the meanings behind the gospel and scripture and how to make personal connections to their lives.
SE Christianity Fundamentals and Traditions I and II
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): none
Students learn how to live out the Christian faith in daily life and in communion with the Church through the Christ Our Life curriculum program. Through scripture, doctrine and prayer, students can build a deeper personal relationship with Christ. Curriculum, lessons, individual and group activities and projects will focus on God’s love and a simplified knowledge of the Christian faith and traditions. Scripture and music include various prayers that invite personal and communal growth. Students learn about the integration of the four pillars of the Church, including the Creed, Sacraments, Commandments and Prayer. Through dance, music, interactive role-playing and art-based projects, students gain a solid understanding of God’s love and how they can express love to others.
SE World Religions
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): none
Students investigate the world through religious traditions and cultures. Students compare the cultural, spiritual, and geographical roots of five different religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. By developing a better understanding of the similarities and differences among religions of the world, students gain a strong knowledge of these different religions that have continued for thousands of years. Teaching methods combine hands-on activities with theology, history, geography, world cultures, art, music, dance and architecture. Activities include conducting interviews with religious leaders, comparing the story of Abraham and Isaac in three sacred texts, studying the architecture of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., studying the Hindu practice of yoga and meditation and examining how religious doctrines shape the behavior of believers.
SE Intro to Social Studies
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): none
Through IMPACT Social Studies, this course explores the lives and experiences of individuals of various racial, ethnic, religious, age, gender, socio-economic and ability groups through equitable, positive and non-stereotypical ways. Students see themselves reflected in the materials they use and this reflection will lead to engagement. Students are exposed to a variety of points of view and experiences from which they can investigate events and issues and construct meaning. Lessons build a solid foundation in the core learning targets of social studies, including history, geography, economics and civics. Each learning target provides interactive engagement with a wide variety of informational texts, pictures, multimedia and auditory experiences. Students learn to think like a historian, a geographer, an economist and as informed and engaged citizens.
SE Washington State History
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: semester
Prerequisite(s): none
In this semester-long course, students explore Washington State symbols, songs and landmarks, famous people, geographical regions and timelines of historical events. Students explore the struggles to control territory in the Pacific Northwest, the conflicts and treaties that pushed Washington’s indigenous tribes onto reservations and the statehood movement. Students learn about Washington State’s agriculture, technology, natural resources and demographic diversity. Through engaging instruction with a variety of teaching methods including video, virtual and experiential activities, animations and interactive tools, students achieve an understanding of all the concepts in this course.
SE World History
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): none
Students are inspired to experience history through multiple lenses and inquiry as they learn to practice civil discourse on their way to become future-ready citizens. Through a variety of teaching methods, including animations, experiential, auditory and video, students explore key historical concepts, ideas, people and events with an emphasis on cause-and-effect relationships, explanation and continuity and change in history. The course begins with early humans and the agricultural revolution and concludes with the modern world.
SE Global Issues
Grade level(s) 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): none
In this class, students learn about today’s interconnected world to gain an understanding of global events in a variety of ways. Students learn about international events happening in our world by looking at their root causes and considering multiple perspectives, which allows for a better understanding of our global differences. Students learn the skills needed to become productive citizens who make thoughtful and informed decisions. Through a variety of teaching methods, including animations, group discussions, video and role play, students explore key learning targets, including essential human needs, ecological footprint, climate, consumption, oceans, human rights, peace and conflict, economy, poverty and community development.
SE General Science
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): none
This full-year science class introduces students to a wide range of general science themes, including earth science, astronomy, geology and paleontology, meteorology and oceanography, chemistry, physics and biology and marine science. The course includes rich graphics and pictures, charts, animations, videos and interactive tools that help students make real-world connections. Hands-on labs allow students to apply learned concepts and gain a wellrounded education in science.
SE Physical Science
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): none
This full-year science class focuses on studying scientific principles and procedures and leads students to understand matter, energy and the physical universe more clearly. The course explores traditional basic chemistry and physics concepts, and students apply their knowledge in live experiments that require them to ask questions and create hypotheses. Throughout the course, students solve problems, reason abstractly and learn to think critically.
SE Life Science
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): none
This full-year science class focuses on the study of diverse life forms found throughout the world. Students explore basic human biology, animals and plants. Students are introduced to concepts pertaining to cells and heredity, the five kingdoms, human body systems and ecology. Areas of focus include building blocks of life, animal and plant cells, birds and mammals, the immune system and living things and the environment. Teaching methods include virtual exploration, video, live labs, animations, 3-D model building and online interactive tools.
SE Earth Science
Grade level(s): 9 - 12
Length: full year
Prerequisite(s): none
This full-year science class focuses on studying our planet and its place and relation to the rest of the universe. This course teaches students fundamental geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy concepts. Areas of focus include plate tectonics, weathering and soil, structure and composition of the atmosphere, human impact on resources and the Earth-sun-moon system. Teaching methods include virtual exploration, worksheets, video, kinesthetic, live labs, animations and online interactive tools.
