Registration for the 2008-2009 school year will usher in the opportunity for EPHS students to sign up for classes never before offered. Most of the new courses are AP Art classes, but a music class back by popular demand as well as some changes in classes currently offered, and the dropping of classes that do not garner enough interest.
Newly offered next year: AP Studio Art 2-D Design Portfolio AP 3-D Design Portfolio AP Drawing Portfolio All three are newly created courses geared towards those art students who are looking for something even more than what was previously offered at EPHS. Instead of having separate projects throughout the course graded by the teacher, these AP art classes will have students creating pieces for a portfolio that is submitted to an AP board at the end of the two terms. The board with college-level standards will then judge the portfolio. The teacher’s job is then to help the students get their artwork up to the “college level.” Those interested in taking the AP art classes need to have completed a level 3 art course as a pre-requisite.
World Drumming The name says it all for this global percussion class brought back by the music department. This course allows students to play all sorts of beats from countries across the world. While those who are not up on their drumming skills may find the class harder than those whom are proficient at the drums, the class has no musical pre-requisites.
Revisions for next year: Digital Electronics This course for the techie within is now extended to two terms rather than the one term of yesteryear. The course extension is attributed to its joining of the engineering project titled Project Lead the Way that increases the rigor of the traditional technology classes.
Spring and Fall Lifetime Recreational Activities now Backpacking Outdoor Adventure, Hiking and Camping Outdoor Adventure The course is the exact same, the name is just different. “We changed the names to make them more descriptive,” said Jane Stevenson, associate principal. Now students will know what they are signing up for.
Dropped for next year: Digital Art 3 Sculpture 3 Painting 3 Jewelry 3 Asian Studies Advanced Web Programming All have not garnered enough student support for a full class, thus resulting in their dropping from the curriculum. Advanced Web Programming is now being offered online instead of in school for those who still wish to take it.
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