Advanced Electives Course Descriptions
Advanced electives are courses that require a complete application in order to be considered for selection by the sponsoring teacher(s). Other requirements exist and are outlined in more detail on the application. There is a limit to the number of students who can be selected and enrolled into a class. It is up to the sponsoring teacher(s) as to who is selected based on the application received. Other criteria can include grade history, GPA, behavior/citizenship marks, teacher recommendation, and assessment scores. Students, who are not selected, will be placed in other elective classes.
AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) is a rigorous class that uses proven practices in order to prepare students for success in high school, college, and a career. The curriculum features writing, inquiry, collaboration, reading, note-taking, study skills and college/career activities. College students are in the classroom as tutors three times a week, and field trips are taken to universities. Students must commit to taking notes in classes on a daily basis, completing homework on time, and keeping a complete and organized notebook of AVID assignments.
Yearbook is a class that creates the Citrus Hills Intermediate yearbook for the current school year. Students will gain skills in the following areas: page design, publishing techniques, copy writing, and editing while producing a creative, innovative yearbook which records school memories and events. Students gain useful skills in time management, teamwork, and design principles, and will be responsible for designing and creating layouts, taking digital pictures at student events on/off campus, selecting images for the yearbook, writing articles, meeting deadlines, and assisting in the marketing and sales of the yearbook.
Peer Assistance Leadership (PALs) courses use the potential of youth to make a difference in their lives, schools and communities. PAL® recognizes an innate capacity for social understanding, personal well-being, and community participation within every student. PAL® is designed to teach students the necessary mediation skills to help resolve peer to peer conflicts on our campus. The PAL program recognizes that students are responsible people, who are more than capable of solving their own disagreements in a positive way. Also, PAL students are provided with additional opportunities to develop and enhance their leadership skills by participating in a wide variety of school and community events such as: Red Ribbon Week, Peer Buddies Program, Anti-Bullying Week, Holiday Food Drive, YEMP, Club Live, and PAL Forum.
ASB/Leadership is a class whose main objective is to make students feel connected to school and each other through involvement in ASB organized activities. ASB is the principal student government body on campus headed by officers, including president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, who govern the entire student body. The principle responsibilities in this class are to govern school finances, organize activities, and represent the students of Citrus Hills Intermediate. We also participate in a school-wide recycling program, create lunchtime activities, participate in school spirit days, as well as volunteer at community service events outside of school hours.
8th GRADE ONLY--Advanced Art is a year-long class taught by Mrs. Sum. It will provide opportunities for students to freely create a lot of art, improve their existing artistic skills, and learn new arttechniques. Advanced Art students will create individual and group artwork for the school and district displays and enter their work in various events.
Advanced Band and Advanced Choir do not require an application, but do require an audition. Please read the information pages included in this packet for details on audition requirements. Selection for Advanced Choir can occur after the start of the school year.