Elective Courses

Business

Grades: 10th grade status or higher
Duration: 1 semester
Credit: 0.5
Weighting: 4.0
Course no.: 330

This one semester course offers the students the opportunity to explore the world of business.
After reviewing the basics of micro and macro economics, the students learn about the specific
problems associated with creating and running a small business. The course examines the issues of capitalization, human resource management, organizational structure, resource management, and advertisement. The students will put the theory into practice in a student run small business at the end of the semester; with all the profit going to local charity

Journalism

Grades: 10 –11
Pre-requisites: Recommendation from Previous English Teacher; Writing Sample;
Meeting with Journalism Advisor
Duration: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Weighting: 4.0
Course no.: 830

Journalism will introduce students to all facets of the journalistic process, editorial feature
writing, conducting interviews, organizing stories, editing, and layout. Instruction will coincide
with the production of the high school newspaper, Le Jardin Contender with the students
assuming roles of reporters, photographers, and designers. Students will also study concepts
essential to producing a high-quality paper, history of journalism, First Amendment rights and
responsibilities, moral values in the media, balanced reporting, and ethical decision-making.

Advanced Journalism

Grades: 11-12
Pre-requisites: Successful completion of Journalism; Advisor’s Approval
Meeting with Journalism Advisor
Duration: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Weighting: 4.0
Course no.: 831
May be taken more than once for credit

Advanced Journalism builds upon the skills learned in Journalism . Students are expected to
become more proficient in their writing and design skills through mentoring less experienced
classmates. Considerable time is also spent developing students’ confidence in interviewing
people and writing lengthier stories based on solid research. Journalism II students will also be
expected to take on leadership roles in the production of the monthly school newspaper, Le
Jardin Contender.

Yearbook

Pre-requisite: None
Duration: Full year
Credits: 1.0
Course no: 820

Yearbook is an opportunity to design and produce a record of the school year. The yearbook
tells a story in text, photographs and page design, and utilizes skills of both written and visual
communication (writing and editing, computer grahics, color, design, photography). Students
develop proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and our layout program, Elitevision. It also develops
life skills such as team work, communication, problem solving, budgeting and project
management, as well as leadership skills.

Advance Yearbook

Grades 10-12
Pre-requisite: Yearbook
Duration: Full year
Credits: 1.0
Course no: 821
May be taken more than once for credit

Advanced Yearbook students will be expected to take on leadership roles by mentoring incoming Yearbook students and assuming editing and managing responsibilities. Advanced Yearbook students also have the option of attending a weeklong summer workshop at Pepperdine University, to hone skills in writing, design and layout, or photography.

updated as of: 11/16/2007