Course Descriptions

Course Of Study Catalog 2025-2026

Click HERE to view Sierra Vista's entire course of study catalog

Elective options for 2025-2026

ADVANCED ART: (Grade 8)

**Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Exploring Art and/OR permission from the art instructor.

This year-long class will build on the student’s foundation in art and basic skills, allowing them to explore their favorite mediums in depth. Students will continue to expand their understanding of the elements of art and the principles of design while working with various art media and techniques such as drawing, painting, and ceramics. Students are expected to present their personal point of view and think critically about the process while creating unique works of art.  Recommended donation*:  $100 to cover the cost of materials for student projects, which students will take home.

AVID: (Grade 7)

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) helps future leaders toward college success and beyond. This course will prepare students for the rigors of college preparatory classes by providing study and organizational skills, as well as tutorial help from college mentors. Students are taught study skills, note-taking, time management, writing skills, and research skills, while being immersed in a college-going culture. The class also includes tutoring sessions that may be led by college students and provide support for success in the academically rigorous curriculum. Additionally, the AVID class provides access to information about colleges and universities through field trips, guest speakers, college tutors, scholarship opportunities, and college admission requirement information.

BAND

There are three levels of band at Sierra Vista, designed to meet the needs of all levels of student musicians from beginners to advanced. Class activities for all three bands include three performances each year, the IUSD Band Spectacular, IUSD Honor band preparation, as well as potential field trips to the Instrumental Music Festival, and Disneyland. Performing in concerts is an integral part of the course. A limited number of school-owned instruments are available for use.

CONCERT BAND:  (Grade 7/8)

Concert Band is a full-year elective that offers instruction on piccolo, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba and percussion. This class is open to any student who wishes to begin a new instrument as well as to those who want to better their skills.

SYMPHONIC BAND:  (Grade 7/8)

**Prerequisite:  Enrollment in the Symphonic Band is by audition and/or Sierra Vista teacher approval.

Symphonic Band is a full-year elective for wind and percussion students whose playing is of a high caliber. It is open to all students who are interested in performing challenging middle school level music. An audition recording is required for participation in this class. Audition materials are available in the Spring.

WIND ENSEMBLE:  (Grade 7/8)

**Prerequisite:  Enrollment in the Wind Ensemble is by audition and/or Sierra Vista teacher approval.

Wind Ensemble is a full-year elective for wind and percussion students whose playing is of the highest caliber. It is open to all students who are interested in performing the most challenging music available to middle school students. An audition recording is required for participation in this class. Audition materials are available in the Spring.

ORCHESTRA

There are three levels of orchestra at Sierra Vista, designed to meet the needs of all levels of student musicians from beginners to advanced. Class activities for all three orchestras include performing in three concerts, IUSD Honor Orchestra audition preparation, the Instrumental Music Festival, and a field trip to Disneyland. Performing in concerts is an integral part of the course. A limited number of school-owned instruments are available for use.

CONCERT ORCHESTRA:  (Grade 7/8)

Concert Orchestra is a full-year elective that offers instruction on violin, viola, cello, and string bass and occasionally a piano accompanist for performances. This class is open to any student who wishes to begin a new instrument as well as those students who want to better their skills.

SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA:  (Grade 7/8)

**Prerequisite: Enrollment in Symphonic Orchestra is by audition and/or Sierra Vista teacher approval.

Symphonic Orchestra is a full-year elective for string students whose playing is of a high caliber.It is open to all students who are interested in performing the most challenging music available to middle school students. An audition recording is required for participation in this class. Audition materials are available in the Spring.

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA:  (Grade 7/8)

**Prerequisite: Enrollment in Chamber Orchestra is by audition and/or Sierra Vista teacher approval.

Chamber Orchestra is a full-year elective for string students of the highest caliber. It is open to all students who are interested in performing and studying high school level music literature. An audition recording is required for participation in this class. Audition materials are available in the Spring.

CAREER & TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION (CTE) WHEEL: (Grade 7/8)

This course is a full-year course in which students take the following three classes for one trimester each.

• CULINARY: This trimester course is for students who would like to learn food preparation, cooking, and baking skills and as a result, will often receive tasty treats from the good work they have completed. Recommended donation*: $25 to fund the ingredients and products the students use, create, and consume.
• DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Students will explore the art of photography while developing technical skills in editing software to elevate their photos to the next level. Recommended Donation*: $5
• TECHNOLOGY: This trimester course will allow students to explore STEAM concepts as they use 3D printers, robots, and other technology to gain new understanding in this hands-on course.

Each of these trimester-long electives give students a glimpse of what CTE options exist at our main feeder high school--Northwood--should they find a passion and want to pursue their interest further.

CHORUS: (Grade 7/8)

Chorus is designed for students who have a desire to sing and participate in choral performance.  Choir students will learn to sing in a choral ensemble while improving competence in sight-singing, musicianship, and vocal skills.  A great deal of class time is spent on vocal/musical techniques and performance standards.  These skills will be demonstrated in several mandatory performances throughout the school year.  Students will learn and perform a wide variety of high quality choral literature that is appropriate for middle school performers and that adheres to the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards.  Choir students are eligible and encouraged to audition for the IUSD Middle School Honor Chorus.

Recommended Donation*: $25

COMMUNICATION SKILLS (Special Education): (Grade 7/8)

The functional communication program is a Special Education course that focuses on developing communication skills needed for success in school, work, and community settings. Students conduct class discussions, role playing, use of scripts, and solving daily problems. The course focuses on the continual improvement of communication skills in relation to peers, family, and the community. An individualized program is developed based on each student’s individual needs and IEP goals and objectives.

CULINARY: (Grade 8)

Students learn food preparation, sanitation, cooking, and baking. Students learn the CTE standards for Hospitality and Tourism, including guest service skills, budgeting and planning, as well as health and safety. They share and sample their recipes, while improving their communication and leadership skills as they work in a team. Recommended donation*: $65 to fund the ingredients and products the students use, create, and consume.

DIRECTED STUDIES (Special Education): (Grade 7/8)

This course is a special education class, consisting of specialized academic instruction, offered to support general education curriculum. In this class, students review daily assignments, organize and prioritize assignments, clarify directions, study for tests, retake or finish tests, learn study skills and receive assistance with long term projects. This class is designed to support IEP goals in the areas of organization, study skills, homework completion, classwork completion or overall executive functioning deficits. Enrollment in this class is based on a student’s IEP team decision that this class is appropriate.

DRAMA: (Grade 7/8)

This drama course encourages creativity, self-expression, and teamwork through the exploration of acting, improvisation, and theatrical performance. Students will develop essential skills such as voice projection, character development, stage presence, and basic scene work. The course includes fun activities like improv games, script reading, and short skits, helping students build confidence in front of an audience while learning the fundamentals of stagecraft and performance. No prior acting experience is required, making this class ideal for beginners as well as those with some theater experience. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper appreciation for the performing arts and a stronger ability to work collaboratively on stage.

ELECTIVE WHEEL: (Grade 7/8)

This course is a full-year course in which students take the following three classes for one trimester each.  

• ART: This trimester course is for students interested in gaining foundational experiences in art, including drawing, painting, and 3D art. NO PREVIOUS ART EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Recommended donation*: $30 to cover the cost of materials for student projects, which students will take home.
• ROBOTICS: Students will develop their skills in computational thinking and problem solving, begin to become literate in multiple coding languages, and learn to program robotics and 3D printers to solve specific design challenges.
• GRAPHIC DESIGN/ANIMATION: Students create stop motion and digital animations using programs such as Procreate, Stop Motion Studio, and Adobe Creative Suite. Students use digital art and graphic design techniques to create printed media that they can apply to a variety of products. Recommended donation*: $25 to fund the products the students use, create, and take home.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT (ELD 1, 2, or 3): (Grade 7/8)

This course is designed for English Language Learners so they have an additional support section in their schedule that will help guide them further in acquiring English Language skills.  Enrolled students will practice reading, writing, and speaking regularly so they gain the skills necessary to succeed. 

Students have been placed in this course based on their EL entrance exams, ELPAC scores, and/or previous grades.  Students who qualify for this course will be required to take it, and will be offered an additional period should they want to choose an additional elective in their schedule. 

EXPLORE TECH: (Grade 7/8)

This course is a full-year course designed to expose students to a variety of emerging technologies with an emphasis on collaboration and innovative technology. Students will learn various coding languages, build and code various robots, and utilize CAD software to create and print designs on 3D printers.  Skills learned include coding in multiple computer languages, building robots, and designing and creating objects with a 3D printer. Extensive group work required.

EXPLORING ART: (Grade 7/8)

This course is a full-year course in which students learn the elements and principles of art and the basic skills and knowledge necessary to communicate in each art form, including clay work.  By experiencing various art activities, students will exercise their powers of observation, test their problem-solving skills, and use their creative imagination.  This course is intended for students who enjoy art and wish to expand their artistic horizons by working with varied mediums and exploring the history of art and various artists. NO PREVIOUS ART EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Recommended donation*: $100 to cover the cost of materials for student projects, which students will take home.

GUITAR:  (Grade 7/8)

This course is designed to teach the subject of music using the six-string classical guitar as the medium. It consists of students with varying abilities and experiences, including students who are beginners as well as repeating the course as advanced musicians.  The guitar class offers a comprehensive approach that will allow students to learn to read music; play solos and in ensembles; learn to apply music theory; develop self-discipline and a motivation to learn; and above all, gain a lifelong interest and participation in music. Recommended Donation*: $25

INTRODUCTION TO DANCE: (Grade 7/8)

This is a beginning level dance course that introduces and reviews the basic techniques and principles of Jazz, Modern/Contemporary, Ballet, and Hip-Hop, along with studies in Improvisation, Choreography, Production, Anatomy, Dance History, and Fitness. While no prior experience or dance knowledge is required, dancers with experience are also welcome to further develop their skills and refine their technique. The course provides a supportive environment for both beginners and those looking to enhance their foundational dance abilities.

LEADERSHIP/ASSOCIATED STUDENT BODY (ASB): (Grade 7/8)

**Prerequisite:  Application (posted on our website)

Leadership is a year-long course where students act as role models and serve the school. As leaders of the school, they aim to promote and advance a positive school environment. Students learn various team building and leadership skills and how to apply them, including public speaking, teamwork, creativity, goal setting, planning, kindness, productivity, and problem solving. Students in the Leadership elective will also be responsible for organizing and planning the school dance parties, talent show, lunchtime activities, and spirit days to practice the leadership skills about which they learn in the class.

LIFE SKILLS (Special Education): (Grade 7/8)

This course is a Special Education course whose purpose is to learn essential independent living skills, community safety skills and the ability to make healthy life choices.  Daily living skills, such as cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking and mobility training, social skills, self advocacy skills as well various recreation/leisure activities will be emphasized to improve each student’s quality of life. 

LIFE SKILLS FOR SUCCESS: (Grade 7/8)

This course is a full-year course in which students take the following three classes for one trimester each.  

• ORGANIZATION AND STUDY SKILLS: This trimester course is for students who would like to gain the skills and habits required to be successful in school and career.  This course will provide students with tried and true academic approaches while also building in oversight so the classroom teacher can ensure that work is completed and the student is organized.
• COMMUNICATION: This trimester course is for students who would like to build their speaking and listening skills so they can communicate more effectively with all types of people and audiences through various formal and informal methods and media.
• PERSONAL FINANCE: This trimester course is for students who would like to gain skills necessary to take care of themselves financially and gain understanding of how they can navigate their personal finances successfully.

MATH LAB: (Grade 7/8)

**Prerequisite: SBAC scores, Previous Math Grades

The Math Lab course is an intervention course designed to help students fill gaps and enhance the understanding of mathematics, preview and review content related to their current math course, and prepare students for success in high school. Students are recommended for this course based on math teacher appraisal, grades, and/or SBAC test results. Students identified for this course are strongly required to participate, and will also be allowed to engage in an elective of their choice during the academic day. Additional focuses of this course include: reviewing material from previous math courses, developing a growth mindset, improving organization skills/strategies, time management, and developing study skills.

Students who qualify for this course will be required to take it and will be offered an additional period should they want to choose an additional elective in their schedule. 

MUSICAL THEATRE: (Grade 7/8)

This course is designed for students with beginning to advanced skills in musical theatre.  This class will provide students the opportunity to explore acting exercises, movement for musical theatre, and vocal music.  A great deal of class time is spent on creative drama, solo/ensemble singing, and performance standards.  These skills will be demonstrated in several mandatory performances throughout the year, including a major musical production in the spring.  Students will experience all aspects of musical theatre and acquire the necessary skills to succeed in the subject area according to the California Visual and Performing Arts Standards. A major component of this class is experiencing the concept of ensemble and emphasizing the roles of all performers as a whole, rather than star performances. Musical theatre students are eligible and encouraged to audition for the IUSD Middle School Honor Chorus. Recommended Donation*: $25

OFFICE AIDE: (Grade 8)

**Prerequisite: All  “3’s” or “4’s” in citizenship, work habits, & effort in grade 7, Application (available on sierravista.iusd.org) and interview.

This year-long class gives students the opportunity to build their interpersonal skills and experience working in an office environment. Students handle incoming calls, greet visitors, perform office duties, run call slips and other errands to class rooms.  Students learn to troubleshoot and assist the office in the efficient running of our school. Students will develop strong communication skills and confidence over the course of the year.

PHOTOJOURNALISM: (Grade 7/8)

**Prerequisite: Must have all “3’s” or “4’s” in citizenship, work habits, & effort in grade 6/7; and a teacher recommendation. 

This course is a full-year course in which students will learn the basic principles of journalism and digital photography.  Students will develop skills that include writing copy, captions and headlines; digital photography; desktop publishing and using appropriate technology tools for media production.  With the help of publishing software, students will use their photography and writing skills to create the design, layout and content of our annual yearbook.  Students should be proficient in using computers, and have some experience with or interest in using photo editing and/or publishing software.  This course requires that students are creative, work well in a self-directed classroom (or throughout campus), and are able to meet established timelines for completion of work.  Recommended donation*: $10 

READING LAB/READ 180: (Grade 7/8)

**Prerequisite: SBAC ELA and STAR test scores, Previous ELA Grades

Reading Lab is a support class designed to help students strengthen foundational reading skills while building confidence as readers and communicators. Taken alongside their core ELA class, Reading Lab focuses on developing background knowledge, vocabulary, and comprehension of complex texts, as well as improving writing skills and engaging in meaningful conversations. This blended learning course combines whole group and small group instruction, independent reading, and individualized lessons through the research-based Read180® program, which enhances reading fluency and comprehension. Students demonstrating reading proficiency may be eligible to exit the class at the end of a trimester.

Students who qualify for this course will be required to take it, and will be offered an additional period should they want to choose an additional elective in their schedule. 

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD: (Grade 7/8)

**Prerequisite:  Passing score on the Science Olympiad Test. (Date and time TBA - Information regarding the placement test will be available on the Sierra Vista school website in the spring)

Science Olympiad is focused on helping students prepare for and compete in 23 different engineering, lab and science study events at the regional, state and national level. The class is designed to help guide students into becoming experts in different areas of science and using that knowledge to compete with their teammates at competitions.  The class is geared towards students who have a strong passion for science and engineering and are willing to spend time outside of school collaborating and learning with their fellow teammates. Since this is a student centered class each member should be highly responsible and be able to work independently in learning the subject matter.  Recommended donation*:$300

SPANISH 1:  (Grade 8)

This course is considered a first year high school level course.  Students will work towards proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking using comprehensible input and practiced output. They will also explore the rich and varied Spanish cultures around the world. The course will be conducted primarily in Spanish. Students that are able to successfully demonstrate proficiency by earning a C- or above in the four domains of language: reading, writing, listening, and speaking in all three trimesters will be recommended for Spanish 2 as freshmen in high school. A minimum of two years is generally required for four-year college entrance, and three years is highly recommended (for UC colleges). 

VIDEO PRODUCTION: (Grade 7/8)

**Prerequisite: Must have all “3’s” or “4’s” in citizenship, work habits, & effort in grade 6/7. 

This course is a full-year course focused on learning and utilizing technology to create, produce, direct and edit short videos through hands-on learning.  Student learning activities will include montages, parodies, public announcements, commercials, interviews, industry standards and more.  Extensive group work required. Recommended donation*: $50

VOCATIONAL SKILLS (Special Education): (Grade 7/8)

This course is a special education course designed to help students develop employability skills and to help them get ready to work. Pre-vocational activities will be worked on in a classroom setting. Depending on each student’s individual needs and skill level the course offers students the opportunity to gain a basic understanding of essential job skills both social and academic.  

blended learning

Blended learning is a 21^st century learning environment where some of the learning takes place face-to-face in a school setting, and some of the learning takes place in an online environment. The online environment can be synchronous, meaning the students and teachers are interacting in a real-time environment (such as a live, online classroom, or through collaborative documents), or in an asynchronous environment, meaning students collaborate with peers, interact with multimedia content and submit assignments at various time during the school week.

Blended learning requires a high level of personal responsibility, as the learner must take the initiative to show mastery of learning and complete certain course objectives independently. It is important to know that while blended learning allow for some flexibility in terms of when and where assignments are completed, students must meet certain checkpoints and remain on pace throughout the semester. Students in blended learning are expected to show academic integrity and use technology responsibly for the purposes of education.

Students interested in the Blended Learning Program, please see the linked information packet. If you have questions or wish to register, please see your school counselor.