HCHS Course Descriptions for Freshman Electives
READING (1590 & 1591) year or semester-long course
This course introduces tools, tips, and strategies to enhance success in school. Students will learn reading and writing processes necessary for handling a wide variety of materials, including school materials, work-related reading, and pleasure reading in self-selected texts. Reading will cover the following genres: Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry, and Drama.
Business Information Management 1
Students address business applications of emerging technologies, create word-processing documents, develop a spreadsheet, formulate a database, and make an electronic presentation using appropriate software.
Prep Band (6131)
This course is designed for students who are learning to play a band instrument for the first time OR for students who are in the early stages of learning to play an instrument. Basic music fundamentals include tone, rhythm, and technique development.
Jazz Band (6141)*
This course is designed as an enrichment opportunity for students to apply instrumental music skills to the jazz medium. Students will study jazz history, learn to improvise, and perform jazz literature of all styles.
Symphonic Band (6101)*
This course is designed for students to develop a mastery level for playing a band instrument acquired from previous courses of study. Students will acquire advanced skills needed to perform complex music literature.
Percussion (6310)*
This course is designed for students to develop a mastery level for playing percussion instruments acquired from previous courses of study.
Orchestra 1 Prep (6231)*
This course is designed for students who are learning to play a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass) for the first time OR for students who are in the early stages of learning to play an instrument. Basic music fundamentals include tone, rhythm, and technique development.
Orchestra 1 Concert (6235)*
This course is designed to build upon student skills for playing a string instrument acquired from previous courses of study. Increased performance skills will include increased music notation, technical ability, music expression, and increased precision regarding basic fundamentals for performance. All genres of music will be performed.
Orchestra 1 Symphonic (6239)*
This course is designed for students to develop a mastery level for playing a string instrument acquired from previous courses of study. Students will acquire advanced skills needed to perform complex music literature.
Women's Choir 1 Treble (6451)*
This course develops skills in proper vocal production and music reading. Students learn to improve their singing voice and sight-reading and ensemble skills through performance participation. Choral literature will include all genres of vocal music written for the treble voice.
Men's Tenor Bass Choir (6501)*
This course develops skills in proper vocal production and music reading. Students learn to improve their singing voice and sight-reading and ensemble skills through performance participation. Choral literature will include all genres of vocal music written for their tenor bass voice range.
Journalism I (1701)
This course is designed to introduce students to the history of mass media and its role in contemporary society. Included are the study of the basic features of journalism and newspaper production, freedom and responsibility of the press, career opportunities in mass communications, and writing to fulfill a variety of assignments.
Fundamentals of Computer Science (7100)
This course will complement AP Computer Science A by teaching the foundational concepts of computer science as it aims to broaden participation in the study of computer science. It focuses on the innovative aspects of computing as well as the computational thinking practices that help students see how computing is relevant to many areas of their everyday lives. (For students who take Algebra 1 or higher in high school. No prior knowledge of computer science or computer programming is necessary or required for this course.)
Computer Science 1 PRE-AP (7111)
This is a first year course designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of computer programming using the Java computer language. (For students who complete Algebra I in middle school. No prior knowledge of computer science or computer programming is necessary or required for this course; however, a student should have at least some interest in computers and/or computer programming.)
*Experience is necessary.
READING (1590 & 1591) year or semester-long course
This course introduces tools, tips, and strategies to enhance success in school. Students will learn reading and writing processes necessary for handling a wide variety of materials, including school materials, work-related reading, and pleasure reading in self-selected texts. Reading will cover the following genres: Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry, and Drama.
Business Information Management 1
Students address business applications of emerging technologies, create word-processing documents, develop a spreadsheet, formulate a database, and make an electronic presentation using appropriate software.
Prep Band (6131)
This course is designed for students who are learning to play a band instrument for the first time OR for students who are in the early stages of learning to play an instrument. Basic music fundamentals include tone, rhythm, and technique development.
Jazz Band (6141)*
This course is designed as an enrichment opportunity for students to apply instrumental music skills to the jazz medium. Students will study jazz history, learn to improvise, and perform jazz literature of all styles.
Symphonic Band (6101)*
This course is designed for students to develop a mastery level for playing a band instrument acquired from previous courses of study. Students will acquire advanced skills needed to perform complex music literature.
Percussion (6310)*
This course is designed for students to develop a mastery level for playing percussion instruments acquired from previous courses of study.
Orchestra 1 Prep (6231)*
This course is designed for students who are learning to play a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass) for the first time OR for students who are in the early stages of learning to play an instrument. Basic music fundamentals include tone, rhythm, and technique development.
Orchestra 1 Concert (6235)*
This course is designed to build upon student skills for playing a string instrument acquired from previous courses of study. Increased performance skills will include increased music notation, technical ability, music expression, and increased precision regarding basic fundamentals for performance. All genres of music will be performed.
Orchestra 1 Symphonic (6239)*
This course is designed for students to develop a mastery level for playing a string instrument acquired from previous courses of study. Students will acquire advanced skills needed to perform complex music literature.
Women's Choir 1 Treble (6451)*
This course develops skills in proper vocal production and music reading. Students learn to improve their singing voice and sight-reading and ensemble skills through performance participation. Choral literature will include all genres of vocal music written for the treble voice.
Men's Tenor Bass Choir (6501)*
This course develops skills in proper vocal production and music reading. Students learn to improve their singing voice and sight-reading and ensemble skills through performance participation. Choral literature will include all genres of vocal music written for their tenor bass voice range.
Journalism I (1701)
This course is designed to introduce students to the history of mass media and its role in contemporary society. Included are the study of the basic features of journalism and newspaper production, freedom and responsibility of the press, career opportunities in mass communications, and writing to fulfill a variety of assignments.
Fundamentals of Computer Science (7100)
This course will complement AP Computer Science A by teaching the foundational concepts of computer science as it aims to broaden participation in the study of computer science. It focuses on the innovative aspects of computing as well as the computational thinking practices that help students see how computing is relevant to many areas of their everyday lives. (For students who take Algebra 1 or higher in high school. No prior knowledge of computer science or computer programming is necessary or required for this course.)
Computer Science 1 PRE-AP (7111)
This is a first year course designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of computer programming using the Java computer language. (For students who complete Algebra I in middle school. No prior knowledge of computer science or computer programming is necessary or required for this course; however, a student should have at least some interest in computers and/or computer programming.)
*Experience is necessary.