In the Park Academy High School Program, students are able to choose between the following elective courses. All elective courses can count toward standard high school diploma credit requirements in the form of general electives or specific subject area requirements. The frequency and scheduling of courses are subject to change based on staffing and student needs. Although we make every effort, we are not always able to accommodate first choices based on those schedules.
The following electives are currently offered:
Art I & II
High School Art develops organization through works of art. Students focus on the creative process as they express themselves through their own work and an exploration of the works of others. They experiment and develop skills through a variety of mediums, techniques and reflective processes. Students who have had art experience in the past may be placed in advanced art based on teacher recommendation.
Requirement Category: The Arts
Careers
This class focuses on life and job readiness through career exploration, interview process, resumes, and skill development.
Requirement Category: Careers & Technical Education
Coding
A programming (or coding) language is a set of syntax rules that define how code should be written and formatted. Thousands of different programming languages make it possible for us to create computer software, apps, and websites.
Requirement Category: Careers & Technical Education
Communications
This course will develop and improve public speaking, debate, and critical thinking skills through communications lens. Students will prepare and deliver speeches, as well as participate in several in-class debates and forums on current topics. Techniques will be taught to control speech anxiety and to structure and organize information to present to a variety of audiences. Students will also learn the fundamentals of physical and vocal delivery skills, use of oral and body language, and listening skills.
Requirement Category: Careers & Technical Education
Health
Health class teaches students that having a healthy lifestyle involves more than just the food they eat and whether or not they exercise. Living well means developing healthy habits that influence every part of our lives including planting and cooking vegetables, mindfulness techniques and exercise. *Senior students may be automatically enrolled in this elective if they have not yet met their health credit requirements.
Requirement Category: Health
Leadership
Leadership is designed to help students realize and develop their potential as school and community leaders. This class explores the strengths and struggles of strong leaders through participatory learning including, class discussions, group work, and community service projects.
Requirement Category: Careers & Technical Education
Math Support
This class will provide additional support to students in their effort to meet the standards of more rigorous and relevant mathematics courses. This course will be taught concurrently with a student’s regular math class, giving extra time and utilizing a variety of strategies to help students build a stronger foundation for success in their current and future mathematics courses.
Requirement Category: General Elective
Music
Students learn about the science and art of music composition and performance through active participation.
Requirement Category: The Arts
Physical Education
Students will learn about what constitutes a healthy lifestyle and will engage in fitness training, games and activities in order to promote fitness and teamwork. *Senior students may be automatically enrolled in this elective if they have not yet met their physical education credit requirement.
Requirement Category: Physical Education
Theater
Students will create, present, and/or perform a work of theater and explore how the essential elements and organization principles shape the ideas, moods, and feeling found in the work.
Requirement Category: The Arts
Videography
Videography will focus on creating school announcements, news, and stories for the Park Academy community. Students will learn about different aspects of video planning, shooting, editing, and publishing. All class members will alternate between varied crew-member positions, both in front of and behind the camera.
Requirement Category: Careers & Technical Education
Sometimes electives change and evolve based on student needs and staff training. Although not offered every year, Culinary Arts, Philosophy and Robotics are often available as High School Electives.