Electives offer middle schoolers an opportunity to take initiative and pursue their individualized interests and goals, with advisors supporting them in making choices that support growth, excellence, and wellness. Electives are held four times per week, and generally include the following options.
LOWER SCHOOL SERVICE
This is an opportunity for students to give back to their school and practice role-modeling, organization, and leadership. Students collaborate with the elective’s advisor in splitting into small teams to help grades one through four during their arts/athletics blocks.
PERFORMANCE
Musical: Students experience the hard work and dedication it takes to be part of a play, as well as the joy and exhilaration of a job well done. Students learn lines, songs, stage directions, and perhaps even some choreography.
Shakespeare: Elective participants study a Shakespeare play in depth, compete in the “Shake Smack” at the Classic Stage Company Theater, and produce and perform an abridged version of the entire play.
ATHLETICS
Boot Camp: This is a fitness course designed to test resilience, strength, stamina, and quick decision-making skills. We engage in various stretches, exercises and routines that work towards developing strength, stamina, and flexibility.
Sports: Students learn basic fundamentals of a variety of sports and the common traits for success in any endeavor - teamwork, commitment, sacrifice, work ethic, and discipline. Sports may include running, soccer, flag-football, basketball, Ultimate Frisbee, and more!
ARTS
Comic book creation: Students bring together original characters and plots in this introductory comic book illustration class, improving their character development, story writing, and illustration skills.
Claymation: Students learn to work independently in the process of making stop motion short films and develop a range of artistic skill sets, including 1) the illusion of motion, 2) planning a short film, 3) pre-production, 4) stop-motion pro, and 5) editing in iMovie.