A Signed Preap Agreement Form Is Required to Be Turned in with the Course Selection Sheet

8 8 PreAP Courses

*PreAP English, PreAP Science, and PreAP History are for students who performed at a high level in that subject during the 7th grade. Students need to have effective study skills and high motivation to learn. A signed PreAP Agreement Form is required to be turned in with the course selection sheet.

Elective Courses

Students must maintain passing grades in order to participate in extracurricular or UIL activities. **Fees or supplies are required. Fee waivers are available for students who qualify.

**BAND is for students who have successfully completed 7th grade band and who play at an intermediate level. 8th graders will be in either Symphonic or Concert band, according to their playing ability. Band members are required to participate in extracurricular activities throughout the year including concerts, UIL contests, and football games. **ORCHESTRA is for students who have had two to three years of classroom or private instruction on a stringed instrument. Technique, care of instruments, music reading skills, music sensitivity, performance, and creative self- expression are integral parts of the curriculum. Orchestra members are required to participate in extracurricular activities throughout the year including concerts and UIL contests. **CHOIR Students will be exposed to many musical styles and will learn proper vocal technique and sight reading skills. Girls with advanced skills may audition for the Varsity Choir. Boys’ Choir is open to all 8th grade men. No musical experience is required. Choir members are required to participate in extracurricular activities throughout the year including concerts and UIL contests. THEATER introduces students to dramatic performance in the half year class. Full-year Theater is by application and only for students who successfully completed theater in the 7th grade. Students explore all areas of theater arts including basic stage movement, voice, pantomime, improvisation, choral reading, script writing, performance, and technical theater. **ART teaches or improves artistic skills through drawing, painting, clay, sculpture, printmaking, and much more. This course will emphasize understanding and appreciation of self and others through art culture, history, and heritage. Art supplies are required. Full year Art is only for students who successfully completed 7th grade Art. SPANISH 1B emphasizes listening, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish for communication. Students learn grammar, vocabulary and study the culture of Hispanic countries. Students must have completed Spanish 1A in 7th grade.(1/2 high school credit) YEARBOOK (by application only) Students design, write, edit, photograph and produce the school yearbook or newspaper. Students work independently and in a team setting, meet deadlines, are self-disciplined and responsible. **GATEWAY TO TECHNOLOGY Students use a project-based curriculum to challenge their imaginations. Students will envision, design, and test their ideas in robotics and automation, design and modeling using advanced modeling software current used in industrial applications. (1/2 high school credit) PRINCIPALS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Students will learn the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access) and its application to high school, college, and the workplace. Students will create documents, spreadsheets, databases and electronic presentations using appropriate software. (1 high school credit) **ATHLETICS is for students who want to compete in volleyball or football, basketball, and track. Practices after school are required. Parents provide all transportation to practices and after games. A physical exam is required. MUSIC APPRECIATION Explores musical eras from Medieval to Pop through listening, discussion and active participation. Students are not required to perform. The course is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about music. FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES Students learn vital skills needed for the future: budgeting, purchasing, health, parenting, nutrition, cooking and more. Students also explore the role that they play in the community and learn about ways to give back. (1/2 high school credit) PRINCIPLES OF HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM Students develop skills needed for careers in hotel and restaurant, cruise ship, and amusement park management, and travel and tourism. Skills covered include communications, guest services, ownership, security, ethics, housekeeping, food service. (1/2 high school credit) TOUCH SYSTEMS/DATA ENTRY Students apply technical skills to address business applications. Increases speed and accuracy while learning to type by touch to create business documents. Provides students with valuable skills for work and school. (1/2 high school credit)