Electives

middle Electives

6th Grade Wheel Elective

Students in the 6th Grade Wheel Elective are introduced to elements of design thinking, and work on projects in each of the STEAM areas (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math).

7th/8th Grade STEM Wheel Elective

Students in the 7/8th Grade STEM Wheel Elective will study one trimester of Aeronautics, one trimester of Astronomy, and one trimester of Biotechnology

Music

Beginning Band

Beginning Band is for students in grades 6-8 who are interested in playing music in a performing ensemble, and who have no prior middle school band experience. Instruments included in this class are: flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, French horns, trombones, tubas, baritones and percussion.

Band General

Band General includes all the same instruments as Beginning Band, but performs music composed or arranged at a more advanced level than beginning band, and concentrates more on learning how to perform more complex music than on instrumental technique. Students are also required to create their own compositions and conduct for this class. Audition required.

Beginning Strings

Beginning Strings is for students in grades 6-8 who are interested in playing music in a performing ensemble, and who have no prior middle school orchestra experience. This ensemble consists of the following instruments: violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.

Orchestra

Orchestra includes all the same instruments as Beginning Strings, but the music is more advanced and complex, requiring string players to learn upper positions and different types of scales, bowing techniques, and harmony. Students are also required to compose and conduct. Audition required.

Jazz Band

Students in Jazz Ensemble learn how to perform jazz, blues, swing, and more contemporary styles including funk and rock repertoire within a big band context. They focus on artistic and creative expression through pre-composed charts and improvisation, and learn the basics of jazz theory as applied to their instruments. Instruments in Jazz Ensemble include saxophones, trumpets, trombones, guitar, piano, bass, drums. Audition required.