2026-27 Middle School Class Descriptions

Please note: This class will look different from the past two years. It has been thoughtfully redesigned with new projects, fresh themes, and an expanded focus on exploration and art appreciation.

Description: This hands-on art class invites students to explore, create, and appreciate art through a wide variety of materials, techniques, and time periods. Designed for students in grades 1–8, the class encourages creativity at every level while meeting students where they are developmentally.

Throughout the year, students will work with many different mediums, which may include painting, clay, collage, printmaking, wood, fiber arts, and mixed media. Some projects will be neat and precise, while others will be joyfully messy, allowing students to experiment, take creative risks, and discover new ways to express themselves.

In addition to creating art, students will learn about artists and artistic movements from various historical time periods and cultures. Lessons will make connections between art, history, and the world around us—helping students see art not just as something we make, but something that tells a story about people and their time.

This class emphasizes:

• Building confidence, creativity, and a love of the creative process
• Exploring a wide range of materials and techniques
• Learning to observe, discuss, and appreciate art
• Making connections to artists, cultures, and historical eras

Grades: 1-8

Duration: Year Long

Materials Needed: 8.5×11 sketchbook

Additional One-Time Fee: $100

Monthly Class Fee: $60.00

Homework: None

Minimum Students: 5  

Maximum Students: 12

Teacher: Rana Hicks

ASL Café is a 26-week American Sign Language experience where students learn ASL through hands-on communication, role-play, themed café days, and real-world conversational practice. This lively class blends language learning with creativity as students design and run a mock café, take “orders,” create menus, host themed events, and practice signing in fun, low-pressure ways.

Throughout the year, students build a strong foundation in ASL vocabulary, grammar, and Deaf culture while developing confidence in expressive and receptive signing. Each week introduces a new set of signs connected to meaningful themes—food & drinks, emotions, directions, time, describing people, storytelling, and more.

Grades: 3-8

Duration: Year long 

Materials needed: Teacher will provide

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $30

Monthly Class Fee: $60

Homework: None 

Minimum/Maximum # of students: 5/12

Teacher: Kathy Hammond 

PLEASE NOTE: This class meets on Wednesday with the rest of the high school classes

This interdisciplinary class blends Bible study, science, literature, and fine arts to foster curiosity, creativity, and a deeper connection with both God’s Word and His creation. Using the Treehouse Nature Study as a framework, each session features 15-minute stations where students engage in focused activities, including:

• Engaging in poetry, discussion, and creative writing tied to the topic
• Scripture readings, prayer prompts, and hymn studies to grow their faith
• Exploring living books and notebooking their discoveries
• Conducting hands-on experiments and art studies inspired by seasonal themes

Grades: 4-6 grade

Duration: Year Long

Monthly Class Fee: $60

Material Fee: $40  

Materials Needed: spiral bound sketch pad, scissors, colored pencils

Homework: None

Min/Max # of Students: 4-12

Teacher: Alece Campbell

Description:  Making investigators of students, this engaging course aids students in honing their listening and reasoning skills, paying attention to detail, using logical, deductive and evidence-based thinking.  Students will solve various interactive mini-mysteries and will explore the fascinating world of forensic science by investigating fingerprints, collecting evidence such as trace evidence, shoe prints, and handwriting samples, and understanding the role of DNA in solving mysteries. Students will evaluate witness descriptions and witness statements, drawing conclusions based on facts.  Guided by the curriculum from Cold Case Christianity for Kids, students will gather essential tools for their detective bags students will enjoy the thrill of high-stakes investigation discovering the case for Jesus.  They will learn  “how to think, not just what to think” as they examine their faith intelligently. The student will create their own detective badge and graduate with a Cadet Academy Cold Case Christianity certificate, making this an unforgettable journey of discovery and learning.  

Grades: 3^rd -6^th 

Duration: Yearly

Required Materials: pencil or pen, scissors, glue stick, and markers

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $50 

Monthly Class Fee: $60/mo

Homework:  None

Minimum/Maximum # of Students: 4min/12max

Teacher: Ashley Rideout

Students will work together to crack codes, solve puzzles, and unlock mysteries in engaging escape room challenges. Each week, we’ll dive into a new theme—from history and science to geography and literature—building teamwork and critical thinking skills while exploring fascinating topics.

Grades: 6-8

Duration: Year Long

Monthly Class Fee: $60

One-Time Materials Fee: $40  

Materials Needed: None, all materials provided

Homework: None

Min/Max # of Students: 4-12 

Teacher: Alece Campbell

This is a hands-on problem-solving class that introduces logic puzzles, beginner Sudoku, pattern recognition, and escape-room-style challenges. Students build critical thinking, focus, and perseverance through engaging, age-appropriate activities that encourage logical reasoning, flexible thinking, and collaboration. With plenty of interactive challenges, this fun, low-pressure class helps students grow confidence as they learn to think creatively and crack the code.

Grades: 1-5

Duration: Year-long

Monthly Class Fee: $60

One-Time Materials Fee: $40

Materials Needed: Colored pencils, scissors, glue sticks

Min/Max Students: 4/12

Teacher: Alece Campbell

This class offers upper elementary and middle school students a rich variety of games that challenge the mind and promote positive social interaction. Students will experience everything from strategy-based board games and fast-paced card games to outdoor team challenges and problem-solving activities.

The focus is on building advanced analytical thinking, strategic planning, collaboration, and strong sportsmanship. Students learn to communicate effectively, manage group dynamics, and make thoughtful decisions while having fun with friends.

This class is especially valuable for families seeking a low-stress, high-engagement environment where students can connect with peers, strengthen cognitive skills, and practice respectful, confident interaction.

.Grades: 4-8

Duration: Year long

Materials Needed: None

Additional material fee: $30

Monthly: $40

Homework: none

Min/Max: 4/10

Teacher:  Rana Hicks

Description:  In the Economics and Entrepreneurship course, participants will engage in hands-on activities to explore essential economic and business principles. Through a class-run business game, students will assume various roles, collaborating in teams to maximize profits while learning about key concepts such as profit, loss, net worth, accounting, and marketing. They will plan and launch their own businesses, selling goods at in-school fairs and participating in two events throughout the year, using the “More Than a Lemonade Stand” program by Julie Ann Wood as a foundation. Students will showcase their learning on two occasions throughout the school year where they will plan a business, create a product, market it to their audience, and sell it at an in-school market.  Students will seek initial investments from parents to fund their business and repay the loan after each sale. High-achieving or highly interested students will be encouraged to pursue their entrepreneurial interests over the summer, building on the skills they’ve developed in class. 

Grades: 4^th -8^th 

Duration: Year long

Materials Needed: pen, pencil (materials for product creation close to the time of each sale one at the end of each semester- times will be given closer to the actual sales).

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $50 

Monthly Class Fee: $60/mo

Homework: No regular homework is given in this class, however, students may need extra time to complete products (they are expected to work for four class periods on their products) to sell near the time of each sale. 

Minimum/Maximum # of Students: 4min/12max

Teacher: Ashley Rideout

Journey into a world of castles, chivalry, legendary heroes, and mythical creatures! Dragons & Kings: Medieval Adventures introduces students to the fascinating history and literature of the Middle Ages through a blend of hands-on activities, creative projects, and classic stories.

Throughout the year, students will explore medieval daily life, castles and knights, heraldry, chivalry, and major historical events. They will also dive into two cornerstone works of medieval literature—Beowulf and the legends of King Arthur—meeting epic heroes, powerful kings, and fearsome monsters along the way. Activities include designing coats of arms, studying castle architecture, creating illuminated letters, and completing a culminating medieval-themed project.This course pairs especially well with Story of the World, Volume 2, reinforcing and enriching the historical topics covered there.

Duration: Year long

Materials: Composiiton book, colored pencils. I will be using readings from Favorite Medieval Tales. While not a required book, this would be a wonderful text for you to have to read at home.

Homework: Occasional projects and writing assignments. Some optional assignments.

Monthly Class Fee: $60

One-Time Materials Fee: $50

Min/Max students: 4/10

Teacher: Stephanie Starr

For strong readers who crave rich stories and big ideas, Beyond the Book offers an exciting, discussion-driven literature experience that goes far deeper than basic comprehension. This class is designed for students who love talking about what they read, asking thoughtful questions, and exploring books that challenge the mind and spark meaningful conversation.

Rather than stopping at “what happened,” students will dig into the why and how—analyzing themes, evaluating character choices, making connections across texts, and forming their own interpretations. All skills are taught through full immersion in great literature, with students working regularly in the higher levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy (analysis, evaluation, creation).

Parents love this class because it:

• Builds confident, articulate thinkers

• Strengthens advanced reading, writing, and discussion skills

• Encourages independent thought and deeper comprehension

• Connects motivated readers with peers who share their love of books

• Prepares students for high-level high school and college-style literary analysis

If your student devours books, loves meaningful conversations, and is ready to stretch their thinking, this class offers the challenge and engagement they’re looking for.

Some options for books include the following, but will be determined based on students’ interest and previous readings. 

• The Giver — Lois Lowry. A powerhouse for discussing ethics, individuality vs. conformity, memory, and the cost of a “perfect” society. A guaranteed discussion starter.
• The Hobbit — J.R.R. Tolkien. Rich worldbuilding, hero’s journey analysis, symbolism, and complex themes about courage, greed, and moral growth.
• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer—Mark Twain. A classic coming-of-age story perfect for exploring themes of friendship, moral choices, freedom vs. responsibility, and the innocence (and mischief) of childhood. Great for discussing character growth, loyalty, and the line between fun and integrity.
• The Wednesday Wars — Gary D. Schmidt. Funny, deep, and wonderfully layered. Provides opportunities to discuss coming of age, perseverance, literature’s impact, and relationships.
• The Call of the Wild — Jack London. A gripping survival tale perfect for discussing instinct vs. civilization, resilience, leadership, and transformation. Rich opportunities to analyze character change, the power of nature, and what it means to answer one’s true calling.
• The War That Saved My Life — Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Provides strong emotional depth without crossing into overly mature territory. Great for character analysis, trauma healing, resilience, and WWII history.
• Fahrenheit 451 — Ray Bradbury. A more advanced option—still appropriate for strong middle schoolers. Excellent for discussing censorship, independent thinking, media, and society..
• A Wrinkle in Time — Madeleine L’Engle. Wonderful for analyzing theme, characterization, allegory, good vs. evil, scientific imagination, and the power of love.
• Refugee — Alan Gratz. Fast-paced and thought-provoking. Encourages deep analysis of parallel narratives, empathy, historical injustice, and global perspective.
• The Bronze Bow — Elizabeth George Speare. Rich historical fiction with themes of vengeance, forgiveness, identity, and transformation.
• The Outsiders — S.E. Hinton. Excellent for discussing identity, social class, belonging, peer influence, and the danger of stereotypes. Perfect for conversations about empathy, loyalty, and what truly defines “family.”
• Around the World in 80 Days — Jules Verne. Great for exploring perseverance, cultural awareness, global perspective, and the spirit of adventure. Encourages discussions about problem-solving, risk-taking, and determination.
• The Hound of the Baskervilles — Arthur Conan Doyle. Ideal for analyzing mystery elements, logic versus superstition, deductive reasoning, and atmosphere. Strong for teaching observation skills and critical thinking.
• Hatchet — Gary Paulsen. Great for examining survival, resilience, problem-solving, self-reliance, and personal growth. A strong pick for students who enjoy action and introspection.

Grades: 6-9

Duration: year long

Materials needed: Basic classroom supplies

Material fee: $15

Monthly tuition fee: $60/mo

Homework: Reading at home, approximately 4-5 chapters per week.

Min/Max: 5/8

Teacher: Rana Hicks

Book club with public speaking will provide a way for students to engage in critical thinking and reflection as they read, discuss, and respond to books that intend to be engaging, yet challenge them. Students will learn to dig into the literature and to deeply discuss the books while also learning to identify literary elements. This class will also have a public speaking component where the students will receive instruction in basic presentation skills. They will be given the opportunity several times throughout the year to practice those skills by preparing and presenting a book project or book review in front of their classmates. A partial book list will be provided prior to the beginning.

Grades: 5-8

Duration: Year-long

Monthly Class Fee: $60

One-Time Materials Fee: $10

Materials Needed: Composition notebook, glue stick

Homework: Assigned readings to be done outside of class

Min/Max Students: 4/12

Teacher: Alece Campell

Explore a world of powerful gods, bold heroes, magical creatures, and timeless stories! Using D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths, students will spend most of the year learning the major myths of ancient Greece while studying the hero’s cycle, epic hero traits, and the purpose of myths in ancient cultures.

Students will choose a Greek god or goddess to research and present, create their own mythological hero and monster, and bring stories to life through reader’s theater. In the final weeks we will shift to classic fairy tales—examining common folklore elements and writing original fairy tales of our own.

A creative blend of literature, performance, and storytelling, this class is perfect for students who love imagination and adventure.

Grades: 4th-8th

Duration: Year long

Materials: Pen/pencil, paper, D’Aulaire’s Greek Myths

Homework: Occasional projects and writing assignments. Some optional assignments.

Monthly Class Fee: $60

One-Time Materials Fee: $35

Min/Max students: 4/10

Teacher: Stephanie Starr

*New Format!*

Welcome to Quill Quest, an imaginative and skill-building creative writing adventure! Each unit, students dive into a different writing genre—from fantasy and mystery to sci-fi, humor, poetry, graphic novel, and memoir. Through guided mini-lessons, mentor texts, and hands-on writing time, students learn how to craft compelling characters, build vibrant settings, write meaningful dialogue, and shape stories that captivate readers.

This class encourages creativity, builds confidence, and helps young writers discover the genres and writing styles they love most.

If you have taken Creative Writing at Thrive previously, this is an all-new format. Students are welcome to repeat the class with the new content!

Duration: Year long

Materials: Pen/pencil, paper, and a binder to store finished pieces and writing in progress.

Homework: 30 minutes to an hour a week, unless the student chooses to spend more time.

Monthly Class Fee: $60

One-Time Materials Fee: $15

Min/Max students: 4/10

Teacher: Stephanie Starr

Step through the wardrobe and discover a world filled with deep magic, brave heroes, and powerful truths. In this yearlong literature course, students will read all seven books of The Chronicles of Narnia, immersing themselves in C. S. Lewis’s richly imagined world and the Christian themes woven throughout his stories.

As we journey from the creation of Narnia to its final restoration, students will explore themes of sacrifice, redemption, forgiveness, calling, and courage—recognizing how Lewis uses fantasy to point toward deeper spiritual realities. Class discussions will highlight literary analysis, vocabulary, biblical parallels, the nature of good and evil, and the ways characters model (or fail to model) virtue and faith.

Alongside our reading, students will engage in creative, hands-on activities that bring Narnia to life, such as creating maps and illustrations, completing character sketches and journals, and even trying food related to the books. (Why does Edmund love Turkish Delight so much?)

By the end of the course, students will have journeyed through the entire Narnian world while gaining a stronger foundation in both literature and faith.

Duration: Year long

Homework: Students will have reading assignments and will do some written and creative narrations. There will be optional assignments students can choose to complete to make this a more complete language arts class.

Materials: All 7 books of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series

One-time materials fee: $35

Monthly class fee: $60

Min/Max Students: 4/12

Teacher: Stephanie Starr

In this engaging, skill-building writing course, students will use IEW’s Discoveries in Writing to learn clear, confident, and structured writing. Through step-by-step lessons, students will develop strong foundational skills—including outlining, summarizing, organizing ideas, using stylistic techniques, and editing their own work.

Throughout the year, students will write across a variety of topics, such as tsunamis, volcanoes, the Crusades, and the battle of Bunker Hill, completing assignments that build both creativity and academic writing confidence. They will practice key IEW skills such as dress-ups, sentence variations, and effective paragraph structure, while also learning to expand their vocabulary and improve sentence fluency.By the end of the course, students will have a solid toolkit for future writing success and a portfolio of polished compositions that reflect their growth. Discoveries in Writing is an excellent choice for students needing a structured, supportive approach to writing.

Students will also learn the basics of grammar through IEW’s Fix It! Grammar Level 2 Town Mouse and Country Mouse.

Duration: Year Long

Materials: IEW’s Discoveries in Writing Student Book, IEW’s Fix It! Grammar Town Mouse and Country Mouse Student Book; a pen/pencil, and a binder to keep papers. Books may be found at iew.com or christianbook.com.

Homework: Students will have weekly homework. This class will need some parent/guardian input at home.

Monthly class fee: $60

One-time additional fee: $25

Min/Max Students: 4/10

Teacher: Stephanie Starr

Using Journeys in Writing, students sharpen their writing skills while exploring varied topics such as the Constitution, Niagara Falls, and the symphony. Using IEW’s Structure and Style® method, students learn to plan, organize, and polish their compositions.

Throughout the course, students practice outlining, summarizing, note-taking, and sentence variety while steadily building strong vocabulary and clear paragraph structure. Step-by-step lessons guide them through each phase of the writing process so they can grow in both confidence and competence.

This course includes lessons in research and writing from sources, as well as literature critiques using short story masterpieces. It is appropriate for middle schoolers and 9th graders who want to develop strong writing skills for high school work.

Students will have an assignment to complete before the school year begins.

Grades: 6-9

Duration: Year long

Monthly Fee: $60/mo

Additional one-time material fee: $25

Materials: Journeys in Writing – Student Book a binder to keep papers in, pen/pencil.

Homework: Weekly writing assignments. Students should expect to spend 1-3 hours a week on homework. In most cases, parental supervision/help is essential to student success.

Min/Max Students: 4/12

Teacher: Stephanie Starr

WriteShop I is a structured, confidence-building writing course for students in grades 5–8. Using WriteShop’s clear, step-by-step approach, students learn to brainstorm, draft, edit, and revise their work with purpose and confidence. Each lesson introduces a new writing skill through short “Skill Builder” activities, which students then apply to compositions in a variety of styles—including creative, narrative, expository, and persuasive writing.

WriteShop takes the fear out of the blank page by providing practical tools such as brainstorming worksheets, graphic organizers, topic suggestions, and word banks. Students also learn how to evaluate their own writing using WriteShop’s guided editing checklists, which show them exactly what to look for as they revise. This is an excellent course if your student needs to:

• Generally hone writing skills
• Narrow a broad topic to a specific topic
• Brainstorm before writing
• Develop stronger, well-constructed sentences
• Write a strong paragraph
• Choose concrete words over vague, weak ones
• Improve use of punctuation
• Identify and correctly use parts of speech in writing
• Use more mature and varied sentences in writing
• Write with more detail and description
• Write to explain
• Correctly use voice and tense in narrative writing
• Understand omniscience and limited omniscience in narrative writing
• Improve self-editing techniques to correct and revise compositions

By the end of the course, students will have completed several polished compositions and developed strong habits that lay the foundation for effective, enjoyable writing in future years.

Grades: 5th-8th

Materials: WriteShop I Student Workbook, paper and pen/pencil.

Homework: Students can expect to spend 1-2 hours a week on writing homework.

One-Time Materials Fee: $15

Monthly Class Fee: $60

Min/Max Students: 4/10

Teacher: Stephanie Starr

Step into a world of relaxation, creativity, and self-care! In this hands-on class, middle school students will explore fun and safe ways to pamper themselves while learning healthy self-care habits. Each week, students will create DIY beauty and wellness products like facials, hand scrubs, lip balm, bath bombs, and more. Along the way, they’ll discover mindfulness techniques, stress-relief strategies, and simple routines to keep their mind and body happy. This class is perfect for anyone who wants to relax, be creative, and develop positive self-care habits in a fun, supportive environment.

Grades: 5-8

Duration: Year long

Materials needed: Teacher will provide

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $100

Monthly Class Fee: $60

Homework: None 

Minimum/Maximum # of students: 5/12

Teacher: Kathy Hammond 

Adventure P.E. is a high-energy, story-based physical education class where students become explorers, superheroes, and adventurers while building essential movement skills. Each class takes students on a new “adventure” — escaping jungles, crossing lava fields, climbing mountains, or completing rescue missions — all through fun, imaginative movement games and challenges.

Students will jump, crawl, balance, run, stretch, and work together as they move through themed obstacle courses, cooperative challenges, and interactive games. Every lesson is designed to keep children engaged, active, and excited while developing coordination, strength, teamwork, and listening skills.

Grades: K-5 

Duration: Year Long

Materials Needed: Teacher Provides

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $100

Monthly Class Fee: $55

Homework: None

Minimum Maximum Number of students: 5/12 

Teacher: Kathy Hammond

Explore traditional homesteading practices alongside commercial farming as you learn about food systems, agroecology, biological processes, food preservation, and small animal veterinary science. 

Grades: 5-8 grade

Duration: Year Long

Monthly Class Fee: $60

One-Time Materials Fee: $40  

Materials Needed: 1-inch binder, scissors, colored pencils

Min/Max # of Students: 4-12

Homework: Optional weekly homework

Teacher: Alece Campbell

Discover the fascinating world of chemistry through hands-on activities and engaging demonstrations! In this class, students will explore the basic building blocks of matter, learn about atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions, and see how chemistry influences our everyday lives. With a focus on fun and safe activities, students will investigate concepts like states of matter, mixtures, acids and bases, and simple chemical reactions. Students will fill in and study the elements in a chronological  manner, compiling their own table/timeline of discovery as well as adding to their lab book.  The focus is introducing basic chemistry concepts through interactive learning in order to spark curiosity and build a strong foundation in science!

Grades: 5^th-8^th

Duration: Yearly

Materials Needed: Pencils, markers, colored pencils, scissors, glue stick

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $50 

Monthly Class Fee: $60/mo

Homework:  This is a primarily hands-on experience class and will require no regular homework. Students may be expected to create one or two culminating projects that they learned throughout the year.     

Min/Max Students: 5/12

Teacher: Ashley Rideout

Discover the fascinating world around you, learning US and World Geography through mapping skills and culture studies. This engaging course is designed for upper elementary and middle school students, and combines fun, hands-on activities with meaningful explorations of diverse regions. Students will develop essential map skills, including reading and interpreting various types of maps, globes, and spatial data. Alongside these skills, they’ll explore the rich cultures, histories, and environments of different regions across the United States and the globe. By the end of the course, students will gain a deeper understanding of how geography shapes our world and their place within it, fostering curiosity and global awareness through interactive learning and cultural discovery.

Grades: 5^th-8^th 

Duration: Year-long

Materials Needed: Pen, pencil, colored pencils, scissors, glue, ruler, fine tip markers

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $50 

Monthly Class Fee: $60/mo

Homework: None

Min/Max Students: 5/12

Teacher: Ashley Rideout

Students embark on an active and engaging journey through global athletic traditions, discovering how people from different cultures play, compete, and celebrate movement. This interactive class blends physical activity with history and cultural exploration, introducing students to the origins and rules of popular and lesser-known sports from across the globe.

Grades: 5-8

Duration: Year-long

Monthly Class Fee: $60

One-Time Materials Fee: $40

Materials Needed: Composition notebook, glue sticks

Homework: Optional homework provided weekly

Min/Max students: 4/12

Teacher: Alece Campell

Join us on an exciting journey across the United States! In this States and Capitals Geography class, elementary students will explore the 50 states, learn their unique capitals, and discover interesting facts about each place. Through fun activities, colorful maps, and interactive games, students will build their geography skills, improve their memory, and gain a greater understanding of our country. Perfect for young explorers eager to become familiar with the nation’s geography and have fun along the way!

Grades: 1^st -5^th 

Duration: Year-long

Materials Needed: Pencils, markers, colored pencils, scissors, glue stick

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $50 

Monthly Class Fee: $60/mo

Homework: None

Min/Max Students: 5/12

Teacher: Ashley Rideout

Step into a world of color, music, and tradition with World Festival Club! Each week, students explore a different festival from around the globe, learning about its history, cultural significance, and unique traditions. Through hands-on crafts, games, and themed snacks, children experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of each celebration. From making a Hanukkah menorah to decorating a Mardi Gras mask or tasting festive treats from faraway lands, this class sparks curiosity, creativity, and cultural understanding. By the end of the session, students not only have fun but also develop respect for diverse cultures and gain a global perspective while enjoying a playful, interactive classroom experience. 

Grades: K-5

Duration: Year-long

Monthly Class Fee: $60

One-Time Materials Fee: $100

Materials Needed: None

Homework: None

Min/Max Students: 5/12

Teacher: Kathy Hammond

Description: In this introductory course, students will begin to build a foundational understanding of the Spanish language through interactive activities, including question-and-response exercises, songs, and engaging games. They will expand their conversational vocabulary, focusing on practical communication skills. Emphasizing both language acquisition and academic preparation, students will develop organizational and note-taking strategies that will serve them in high school and beyond. Each semester, students will apply their learning through a digital presentation, showcasing their growing proficiency in Spanish and their ability to communicate effectively. Students that complete this class may move into Intro Year 2, Spanish 1A, or Spanish 1, when age appropriate.

Grades: 4-7

Duration: Year long

Materials Needed: Tabbed 3-ring binder, internet access for weekly digital study tools; colorful, engaging weekly homework packets are provided.

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $65

Monthly Class Fee: $60

Homework: approx. 1 hr per week

Minimum/Maximum # of Students: 5/12

Teacher: Eliana Reece

Description: For younger students not ready for Spanish 1A, Intro to Spanish 2nd year will be a continuation of 1st year further expanding their vocabulary base and basic conversational themes. This class will continue to spiral themes, vocabulary and conversations learned in the previous year for deeper understanding and mastery.

In this introductory course, students will begin to build a foundational understanding of the Spanish language through interactive activities, including question-and-response exercises, songs, and engaging games. They will expand their conversational vocabulary, focusing on practical communication skills. Emphasizing both language acquisition and academic preparation, students will develop organizational and note-taking strategies that will serve them in high school and beyond. Each semester, students will apply their learning through a digital presentation, showcasing their growing proficiency in Spanish and their ability to communicate effectively. Students that complete this class may move onto Spanish 1A or Spanish 1, when age appropriate.

Grades: 5-7

Duration: Year long

Materials Needed: Tabbed 3-ring binder, internet access for weekly digital study tools; colorful, engaging weekly homework packets are provided.

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $65

Monthly Class Fee: $60

Homework: approx. 1 hr per week

Minimum/Maximum # of Students: 5/12

Teacher: Eliana Reece

Description: Spanish 1A for 7th-8th graders is the first of a two-year program designed to complete Spanish 1, ideal for younger students or anyone seeking a slower pace with more study time and reinforcement of basic skills and vocabulary.  Supplemented with music, games, role playing, and collaborative opportunities in the classroom, this class will balance verbal fluency with grammatical understanding in a fun, engaging environment. Geography and cultural studies of Spanish-speaking countries will also be incorporated. Students will create a digital project each quarter to present and demonstrate their progress.

Grades: 7-8

Duration: Year long

Materials Needed: Breaking the Barrier Spanish 1 text/workbook; internet access

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $50

Monthly Class Fee: $60

Homework: approx. 90 min/week

Minimum/Maximum # of Students: 5-12

Teacher: Eliana Reece

Description: Spanish 1B for 8th-9th graders is the second year of a two-year program designed to complete Spanish 1, ideal for younger students or anyone seeking a slower pace with more study time and reinforcement of basic skills and vocabulary. Students will build a solid foundation allowing them to transition seamlessly into Spanish 2 the following year. Supplemented with music, games, role playing, and collaborative opportunities in the classroom, this class will balance verbal fluency with grammatical understanding in a fun, engaging environment. Geography and cultural studies of Spanish-speaking countries will also be incorporated. Students will create a digital project each quarter to present and demonstrate their progress.

Grades: 8-9

Duration: Year long

Materials Needed: Breaking the Barrier Spanish 1 text/workbook; Internet access

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $50

Monthly Class Fee: $60

Homework: approx. 90-120 min/week

Minimum/Maximum # of Students: 4/12

Teacher: Eliana Reece

Spanish 1 is an honors-level language course designed to develop well-rounded speakers by emphasizing both conversational skills and practical grammar applications. Supplemented with music, games, following a “radio-style telenovela”, and collaborative opportunities in the classroom, this class will balance verbal fluency with grammatical understanding in a fun, engaging environment. Geography and cultural studies of Spanish-speaking countries will also be incorporated. Students will create a digital project each quarter to present and demonstrate their progress. It is recommended that students have a grasp of essential English grammar rules (parts of speech, verb tenses, etc.) prior to taking this class.

Grades: 8-12
Duration: Year long
Materials Needed: Breaking the Barrier Spanish 1 text/workbook; internet access
Additional One-Time Material Fee: $50
Monthly Class Fee: $60
Homework: approx 1.5-2 hrs/week
Minimum/Maximum # of Students: 5/12
Teacher: Eliana Reece

This engaging course introduces students to the world of coding through hands-on activities using Scratch, code.org, and other visual programming platforms. Students will learn fundamental programming concepts such as sequences, loops, events, variables, and more, while creating interactive stories, games, and animations. The course fosters creativity, problem-solving, and computational thinking in a supportive environment. Students are expected to bring a working laptop or electronic device capable of connecting to the wifi at the school, and running each of the programs required in the course.  Devices must be provided by the student for each class; cell phones are not permitted. Access to internet is required.  Parents and students will be sent a technology use contract to sign and return before the first day of class.  

Grades: 2^nd – 6^th 

Duration: Year-long

Materials Needed: Pencil, spiral notebook, computer with wifi capabilities and appropriate program access 

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $25

Monthly Class Fee: $60/mo

Homework: None

Min/Max Students: 5/12

Teacher: Ashley Rideout

Description:  Students in grades 2 through 5 will engage in a dynamic STEM education experience using Lego Education’s Simple Machines curriculum. Throughout the course, they will receive explicit instruction, learning vocabulary, and facing challenges centered around fundamental simple machines, including gears, levers, wheel and axel, and pulleys. In addition to applying scientific and engineering processes, students will explore mathematical principles, measurement techniques, data recording, learning physical science and physics concepts.  The curriculum incorporates activities aimed at problem-solving, where students will work collaboratively to address specific challenges. While the class is focused and instructional, students will participate in open ended culminating activities for each topic to challenge the students to implement the skills and knowledge that they gained through the guided activities.  Students will solve targeted problems while also developing essential skills such as listening, communication, and teamwork as they take turns directing each other in the construction of back to back challenges. Although there will be limited opportunities for open-ended Lego play, creative freedom will be integrated into the lessons, ensuring an engaging and productive learning environment. 

Grades: 2^nd-5^th 

Duration: Yearly

Materials Needed: pen, pencil 

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $50 

Monthly Class Fee: $60/mo

Homework: None

Minimum/Maximum # of Students: 4min/12max

Teacher: Ashley Rideout

Description:  In this dynamic and engaging hands-on STEM class for upper elementary and middle school students, learners will collaborate in groups to tackle real-world challenges using the engineering design brief process (ask, research, imagine, plan, create, test, improve). Each project begins with a specific problem, and students will manage a budget to plan and develop innovative solutions. By integrating writing, reading, math, and science, they will craft and test their final products, iterating based on feedback and outcomes. Through discussions on successes and setbacks, students will enhance their problem-solving skills and ignite their creativity while fostering teamwork and critical thinking. 

Grades: 5^th -8^th 

Duration: Yearly

Materials Needed: pen, pencil 

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $50 

Monthly Class Fee: $60/mo

Homework:  None

Minimum/Maximum # of Students: 4min/12max

Teacher: Ashley Rideout

This engaging course introduces students to fundamental computer skills necessary for academic success and future digital literacy. We will start with digital health, safety, and security. Students will learn how to send emails, will create impactful PowerPoint presentations, interpret and design charts and graphs, and develop confidence in using free online tools. Through hands-on activities and practical projects, students will gain essential skills in digital communication, data visualization, and presentation design, preparing them for school projects, competitions, and everyday digital tasks. Students will learn PowerPoint, google slides, canvas, scratch, and code.org.  Students are expected to bring a working laptop or electronic device capable of connecting to the wifi at the school, and running each of the programs required in the course.  Devices must be provided by the student for each class; cell phones are not permitted. Access to internet is required.  Parents and students will be sent a technology use contract to sign and return before the first day of class.  

Grades: 5^th-8^th

Duration: Year-long

Materials Needed: Pencil, spiral notebook, computer with wifi capabilities and appropriate program access 

Additional One-Time Material Fee: $25 

Monthly Class Fee: $60/mo

Homework: None

Min/Max Students: 5/12

Teacher: Ashley Rideout