Below is a list of 8th Grade Elective Courses. 

* These courses count for high school credit *

Business Foundations, an introductory business course, provides the framework for all future business courses. It acquaints students with personal banking and finance, economics, entrepreneurship, management, and marketing. Business Foundations will use technology to synthesize and share business information. Employability skills, leadership and communications, business etiquette, ethics, and personal financial literacy will be addressed. This course will be the new Money Management with a business twist. Students will explore the fundamentals of decision making, setting financial goals, budgeting, taxes, banking services, credit, consumer laws, and risk management. A stock market simulation allows students to manage a $100,000 stock portfolio and compete with other schools. Students who successfully complete this course receive one-half credit towards high school graduation. The grade will be reflected in the high school GPA.

The Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Gateway to Technology (GTT) program features a project-based curriculum designed to challenge and engage the natural curiosity and imagination of eighth-grade students. GTT is designed to spark an interest in STEM subjects and prepare students for further study in high school. The GTT semester course will encompass two modules: Automation and Robotics as well as Design and Modeling. Students who successfully complete this course receive one-half credit towards high school graduation. The grade will be reflected in the high school GPA.

This first course in the IT career field is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of computer concepts and essential skills necessary for work and communication in today’s society. Students will learn safety, security, and ethical issues in computing and social networking. Students will also learn about input/output systems, computer hardware and operating systems, and office applications. Students who successfully complete this course receive one-half credit towards high school graduation. The grade will be reflected in the high school GPA.

Students will develop and implement a career blueprint that will include educational plans that reflect their personal career as well as changing employment trends, societal needs, and economic conditions. Some topics included are goal setting, time management, decision making, planning for summer jobs and/or volunteer opportunities. This course will utilize OCIS (Ohio Career Information System), an Ohio Department of Education career online tool. Students who successfully complete this course receive one-half credit towards high school graduation. The grade will be reflected in the high school GPA.

Woods Technology I is for the beginning student who may have little or no experience in woodworking. This course will focus on students learning the fundamentals of cabinet making so students can eventually build high-quality furniture on their own. Areas of study will include safety and the proper use of power equipment, identifying various woods, figuring board feet, types of fasteners, glues, and finishes. Students can build projects of their own design as time permits. Students will learn the production processes applied across manufacturing operations. Students will be able to demonstrate a broad array of technical skills with an emphasis given to quality practices, measurement, maintenance, and safety. Students who successfully complete this course receive one-half credit towards high school graduation. The grade will be reflected in the high school GPA.