Leadership

This course empowers students to develop leadership, personal, and professional skills through Character Counts! curriculum. Students learn to build a healthy self-concept, foster positive relationships, and embrace personal responsibility while practicing principle-based decision-making and creating a personal mission statement. The course emphasizes communication and public speaking, conflict resolution, and understanding the impact of peer pressure. Through hands-on experiences, including managing the PBIS Rewards Store, leading character-building activities, and school projects. They will grow as Student Ambassadors, serving as role models for integrity, empathy, and positive influence at TCA while promoting teamwork, character, and school involvement.

One of the most exciting parts of the course is running our school’s PBIS Rewards Store. Think of it like a mini-Amazon fulfillment center right here at TCA. Students help brainstorm and suggest new items for the store, set price points, organize inventory, and manage the delivery of orders to classrooms. Younger students will even have the opportunity to “shop” in person at the school store, giving Leadership students the chance to practice customer service, communication, and teamwork. This elective blends responsibility, creativity, and fun; allowing students to lead in ways that make a real impact on our school community.

Gaming & Career Planning (Digital Discoveries 3)

This year-long class focuses on interactive animation and gaming where students learn how computers programs respond to user input, using block-based coding, students create animations, games, and simulations while learning key programming concepts such as variables, conditional, loops and events. Through creative projects, students develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and perseverance as they design programs that react, move, and change based on user actions. This course also teaches students to use career planning resources and technology to explore career and technical opportunities while building self-understanding and workplace readiness skills. Students will learn how changes in society, the economy, and technology affect careers and use that knowledge to set goals and create a career and education plan.

Wind Ensemble (Band 3) *

Wind Ensemble (Band 3) is the top performing band, designed for students who have successfully completed Beginning and Intermediate Band and are ready for a bigger musical challenge. In this advanced ensemble, musicians refine their skills and musicality on their primary instrument, dive into complex musical concepts, and perform high-level repertoire that showcases their growth. Students also participate in the yearly Music Performance Assessment (MPA), giving them an exciting opportunity to perform on a formal stage and demonstrate their hard-earned progress. Wind Ensemble is a rewarding, confidence-building experience where dedicated band students take their musicianship to the next level.

Financial obligations and occasional time commitments outside of school hours are part of this course.

Jazz Band *

Jazz Band is an exciting, optional ensemble for students who want to explore jazz music, including its unique styles, rhythms, and improvisation. Open to musicians who have completed Band 1 in good standing, passed an audition with the Band Director, and are enrolled in Band 2 or Band 3, this group gives students the chance to grow as performers while learning the art of swing, blues, and improvisation. Jazz Band offers a fun, creative environment where students build confidence, strengthen their musical skills, and experience a whole new side of band through energetic, expressive music.

Financial obligations and occasional time commitments outside of school hours are part of this course.

Intermediate Spanish *

This full-year course is a continuation of Beginning Spanish. Students will expand their knowledge of the language and its culture. Students will be able to engage in basic listening skills and speaking activities. They will expand upon their understanding of the culture, connections, and communities in this course.

***After successful completion of TWO years of middle school Spanish, students have the option to exchange these two years towards ONE high school credit.***

Visual Art

This full-year course is designed for 8th-grade students to use advanced-level techniques to create a variety of 2-D and 3-D artworks through developing skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and sculpture; students proficiently manipulate the structural elements of Art with increasing independence to promote creative risk-taking in their artwork. Investigating artworks from Western and non-Western cultures provides a means for students to expand their understanding and appreciation of the role of Art in global culture. Student artists use an art criticism process to evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth in personal or group works.

Financial obligations/Fair Share Fee is part of this course.

Physical Education

The purpose of this course is to provide a foundation of knowledge, skills, and values necessary for the development of a physically active lifestyle. The course provides exposure to a variety of movement opportunities and experiences which include but are not limited to: Fitness Activities and Individual Sports. The integration of fitness concepts throughout the content is critical to student success in this course and in the development of a healthy and physically active lifestyle.

Yearbook

Digital Media is an exciting, creative course where students can expect a hands-on introduction to real-world design and production. In this full year course, students will explore the world of digital content creation using programs like Canva, Adobe Express, and Photoshop, learning how professionals design graphics, edit photos, and build eye-catching layouts. They’ll gain practical experience by helping produce student publications, including the yearbook and school newsletters, giving them a chance to see their work published. Throughout the year, students develop skills in layout and design, photography, and journalistic writing, all while working collaboratively, thinking creatively, and building confidence as digital creators.

News Crew (TV Production)

The purpose of this full-year course is to introduce students to the basics of TV production, digital tools used in production, communication, and broadcasting skills. Students will hone their leadership and professional skills in this class as well as they plan out features and interviews for the school closed-circuit morning news that they will produce and broadcast to the school. They will learn and put into practice communication and leadership skills, along with studio activity roles such as script writing, directing, and production.

Internship

Internship is a unique, real-world learning experience where students get to step into school roles that match their interests and strengths. Students are placed in classrooms or office areas that need assistance, giving them the chance to help teachers, support younger students, or assist with important school tasks. Because interns are trusted with meaningful responsibilities, they are expected to model integrity, respect, and a strong work ethic every day. This course helps students build confidence, communication skills, and professionalism while discovering what it feels like to contribute to their school community in a positive and impactful way.

*Indicates the course has a prerequisite.