Electives
AP European History
11th and 12th grades
Full Year - 1 credit
AP European History is designed to allow students to investigate the significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in Europe from 1450 to the present. Students learn how to operate as historians: to analyze primary and secondary sources, develop historical arguments, make historical connections, and utilize reasoning to identify change over time.
Church Administration
Grades 11-12
Full year or one semester: 1 or 1/2 credit
This course gives students an opportunity to assist with the various activities involving the school and the Church. This is open to all Holy Spirit students, regardless or denomination. The students help with liturgical activities, retreat planning, assemblies, and service activities. The students have the ability to use creativity and imagination to help plan events as well as develop planning, organizational, and leadership skills.
Cinema & Ethics
11th and 12th grades
Half or Full Year - 1/2 or 1 credit
Cinema & Ethics teaches students to analyze various movies and TV programs and compare and contrast both good and bad moral examples, good and bad ethical standards, heroes and villains of the story. Students assess the overall message of the media presentation. Students exercise both oral and written discussion skills. Students increase their observational, critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Creative Writing
11th or 12th Grade
One Semester - 1/2 credit
This writing course develops skills in both the study of and original creation of prose, poetry, and drama in a workshop setting. Students read and analyze writings from the classics to contemporary literary forms. Students create original work in a variety of genres, develop a personal writing style, and submit their work for publication.
Finding "My True Self" in the Real World
Grades 11-12
Full Year - 1 credit
This course helps students discover their gifts, talents, and motivations, empowering them to use these in the real world as they embrace the life for which God created them. This explores the questions: 1) How do I take everything in my life and utilize it to inform my choices to create the future I desire? 2) How do I find true freedom and happiness in this chaotic world? 3) How can I integrate my faith into my daily life especially within my friendships, my family, and my community? This course offers self-discovery through a multitude of fun and engaging introspective activities.
Forensic Science and Crime Scene Investigation teaches students to apply chemistry, physics, and biology to a suspect, a criminal act or behavior, or a victim. This course prepares students in two distinct concentrations. The Forensic Science portion focuses on working in a crime lab setting as a forensic scientist or technician. Crime Scene Investigation covers the application of the scientific method at a crime scene, including scene processing and the identification and collection of evidence.
History Through Film
11th and 12th grades
Half or Full Year - 1/2 or 1 credit
History Through Film gives students direct learning of events that occurred both in World and US History through the use of movies and documentaries in US History. Students view and analyze various topics in the disciplines of both US and World History. Students exercise both oral discussions and written skills. Students increase their observational, critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills.
The Holocaust & Human Behavior
11th and 12th grades
Half or Full Year - 1/2 or 1 credit
The Holocaust & Human Behavior examines the period in the 20th century when Nazi Germany murdered six million Jews and millions of other citizens in the midst of World War II. The approach in this course helps students to make connections between history and the consequences of our actions and beliefs today - between history and how we as individuals make distinctions between right and wrong, good and evil. The course takes students on a parallel journey through an exploration of the universal themes inherent in a study of the Holocaust that raise profound questions about human behavior.
Horticulture
11th and 12th grades
Half or Full Year - 1/2 or 1 credit
Horticulture provides students the foundations of small scale agriculture through hands-on experience in Jeremiah's Community Garden. Students learn about careers in horticulture, proper safety procedures, plant physiology, soil types, plant diseases, and pest management. Students learn to diagnose growing problems, identify different types of plants and insects, understand the necessary weather conditions for optimal plant growth, and be able to plant, tend, and harvest fruits and vegetables.
Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC)
11th and 12th grades
Full Year - 1 credit
Integrated Marketing Communications provides students the foundations of video productions, graphic design, and advertising. Students worth with faculty and the school administration to create and implement multimedia, social media, and advertising campaigns. Students learn about careers in public relations, journalism, marketing, media planning, and business communications.
Latin III & IV
11th & 12th Grade
Prerequisite: Latin I and II
Full Year - 1 credit
This course focuses on the study of ancient authors, including Ovid and Julius Caesar. By studying Ovid, students learn the beauty of Latin poetry and the unique constructions that are found within. The study of Latin poetry helps to gain a deeper understanding of how Romans interacted with their language. They also look at the prose of Julius Caesar, exploring the ways Romans viewed those who were considered non-Roman.
Literary Magazine Editor and Designer
11th or 12th Grade
One Semester - 1/2 credit
This course prepares students for careers in editing and designing magazines. The students will gain experience in selecting, editing, and designing pages for the school's own digital literary magazine called S.L.A.M. They are expected to create themes for submissions in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, drama, and film. Students learn the basics of graphic design, read and select work for publication, and meet editorial deadlines.
Military History of the United States
11th and 12th grades
Full Year - 1 credit
Military History of the United States analyzes the evolution of tactics, arms, equipment, and the modernization of the US military from the colonial period to the present. Throughout the school year, students examine the causes of wars, the tactics and strategy used during various wars, the outcomes of war, and its ramifications on the domestic and foreign policy of the United States. Students increase their observational, critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Mythology
11th or 12th Grade
Full Year - 1 credit
Students examine myths from ancient civilizations including the Greeks, Romans, Incas, Aztecs, Chinese, Native American, etc. Students read myths, compare them across cultures, analyze how the myth has survived throughout history, and examine modern adaptations of the myth. They examine the lasting impact mythology has on our perceptions of ancient cultures and our understanding of pop culture references to those myths today. Students gain a better understanding of these ancient myths by reading modern and ancient adaptations.
Photography
11th or 12th Grade
Full Year
This course introduces photographic composition using the elements and principles of design. Instruction covers the basic parts of a camera and how each control affects the appearance of the photograph. Digital photography includes computer manipulation of digital photos, mounting and presenting photos for art shows, and portfolio presentations.
Photography Assistant
12th Grade
Prerequisite: Photography
Full Year - 1 credit
The photography assistantship assists photography students to develop their photography skills and assists during photo shoots with the beginner students when they need help. The photography assistant is not required to complete the same assignments as the beginner students but operates as independent study.
Robotics & Research
11th & 12th Grade
Full Year - 1 credit
This course inspires and encourages students to pursue careers in engineering, science, technology, and mathematics. Students will design and build a robot to compete in BEST Robotics Competition. Students have the opportunity to work with different design software to assist in the development of their reboot. This course will also give students the opportunity to explore careers in STEM research.
Spanish III & IV
11th & 12th Grade
Prerequisite: Spanish I and Spanish II
Full Year - 1 credit
In this course, students will expand on the foundations built in Spanish II. This class emphasizes the language skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing by focusing on the application of simple grammatical concepts. The students listen to basic level Spanish with increasing comprehension, develop Spanish vocabulary for practical everyday use, and speak with sufficient correct pronunciation. Students read and write Spanish paragraphs and become informed and sensitive to relevant aspects of Spanish-speaking cultures.
Visual Art I
11th or 12th Grade
Full Year - 1 credit
This course introduces students to the elements of art and the principles of design. Students create many hands-on projects in drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture, which assists them in understanding and applying art terms and techniques. Students complete daily sketches, projects that take one day to several weeks to complete, and an electronic portfolio on Artsonia. The last quarter will be devoted to designing and painting "The Wall of Fame" group project.
Visual Art - Independent Study
12th Grade
Prerequisite: Art I or a strong portfolio; application process
This course develops students' personal style and encourages an appreciation of the visual arts. Students create a portfolio in their chosen art medium and submit a proposal each nine-week period to chart their progress.
Yearbook
11th or 12th Grade
Prerequisite: Application
Full Year - 1 credit
The purpose of this elective course is production of the school's yearbook, Spiritus. The course provides students with opportunities to learn a variety of skills: online publishing, planning and design, marketing, sales, budgeting, collaborative problem solving, photo basics, accounting, copy writing, distribution, professional correspondence, leadership, rights and responsibilities of libel and copyright, etc. Producing the yearbook is essentially running a small business. The course is limited to ten students through an application process.