Electives

Prerequisite: Placement based on administrative approval.

This course is designed for students who do not qualify for SERP but do require additional academic support to reach their full potential. This is not an open course, but rather an intervention program assigned to students who require focused academic success strategies based on predetermined factors. Classes are capped at 15 students to ensure a small and personalized learning environment. Two instructors are assigned to each class; one instructor focuses on Math and Science, while the other on English, Theology and Social Studies. Similar to SERP's Study Skills, students in Academic Coaching are supported in the following three areas: Direct Instruction in English and Math only (re-teaching, scaffolding, etc. of material and concepts), Case-Management (grade checks, academic forecasting, etc.) and support in Executive Functioning Skills (flexible thinking, self-motivation, task-initiation, organization, planning and prioritizing, etc.). This course is taken in lieu of an elective course and is only offered to freshmen and sophomores. Students earn a letter grade for Academic Coaching, which is factored into their overall GPA (not weighted for academic GPA).

• Homework expectation: none
• Year
• 10 credits

This course will follow the Accounting 1 course offered to Business Magnet Students but will go at a slower pace. The students will begin the course with an introduction to business terms so that students are familiar with basic business structure and terminology. The course will cover basic accounting skills and concepts for both a sole proprietorship and a merchandise business.

• Homework expectation: 2-3 hours per week
• Semester
• 5 credits

Prerequisite: Required for sophomore officers. Optional but encouraged for freshmen officer. Students must obtain teacher approval.

This is a year-long course designed to empower the elected officers and members for the school year. Class time will be spent planning, organizing, implementing school activities, and learning life-long Leadership qualities. Students enrolled in this course will also attend after-school functions that ASB puts together. Students enrolled in this course will attend a leadership camp, including a Leadership Boot Camp totally two weeks in the summer months. Students will be evaluated on their demonstration of effective leadership and selfless service through in-class tasks and assignments, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor, and a lionheart commitment to JSerra.

• Homework expectation: none
• Year
• 10 Credits

Prerequisite: Required for junior and senior officers. Students must obtain teacher approval.

This is a year-long course designed to empower the elected officers and members for the school year. Class time will be spent planning, organizing, implementing school activities, and learning life-long Leadership qualities. Students enrolled in this course will also attend after-school functions that ASB puts together. Students enrolled in this course will attend a leadership camp, including a Leadership Boot Camp totally two weeks in the summer months. Students will be evaluated on their demonstration of effective leadership and selfless service through in-class tasks and assignments, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor, and a lionheart commitment to JSerra.

• Homework expectation: none
• Year
• 10 Credits

The College Application Seminar Course is a 10-week program where students will learn about the college admissions process and get assistance completing their college applications. Each week we will cover different topics including how to research colleges and find the right fit, the best way to choose a major, brainstorming and writing the most effective essays, how to pay for college and apply for scholarships, tips on applying to Cal States and UC schools, and much more. College Admission Representatives will also discuss how colleges evaluate applications so students can get a better understanding of how admission decisions are made. By the end of the course, students should:

- Complete their applications and their resume.
- Have the opportunity to have their essays and applications reviewed by College Admission Representatives.
- Understand how the college admission process works and how they can be more competitive when applying.

• Homework Expectation: 1-3 hours per week (can include weekends and breaks)
• No Summer Assignment required
• Semester — 10 weeks on Wednesday mornings during 1st period (the rest of the week students have a free Period 1)
• 0 Credits

This is a required course for all freshmen. The First-Year Seminar course is built to ensure a meaningful transition into high school. Students will learn about JSerra, improve their academic skills, seek out campus resources and build relationships. This introductory course is broken into three components: academics, campus life and community standards. The academic component introduces students to JSerra’s co-curricular programs, faculty expectations, Microsoft access and study skills. Further supported by the campus life component’s inclusion of Campus Ministry, extra-curricular programs, JSerra's history and available student services. The final component, community standards will integrate student health and well-being with etiquette ensuring a holistic education. Staff guest speakers, First-Year Advisors, and the instructor will foster an environment that will encourage active and collaborative learners.

• Homework expectation: 1-2 hours per week
• Semester
• 5 Credits

Military History is a semester course designed to provide the student with a comprehensive survey of the history, principles, effects, practices, and the profession of armed conflict. Students will use skills in cooperative learning, project development, and excellent standards of technical reading, writing, research, decision-making and public speaking as they study the processes and principles of warfare in the context of the complexities of modern day foreign policy. Students will develop an awareness of the awful realities of war through eyewitness accounts, oral histories, film video, pictures, and literature. They will also apply knowledge and skills in tactics and strategy in the context of historical situations, and using computer simulations, to learn the lessons of military history in relation to today's unpredictable global environment.

• Homework Expectation: 1-2 hours per week
• Semester
• 5 credits
• UC Approved
• NCAA Approved

This semester course will provide the student with an introduction to the concepts, theories, and research findings of modern psychology. This survey course will also address the biological bases of behavior, sensory and perceptual processing, learning and memory, human growth and development, social behavior, and normal and abnormal behavior.

• Homework Expectation: 1-2 hours per week
• Semester
• 5 credits
• UC Approved
• NCAA Approved

The purpose of this course, taken in the Fall semester, is to provide the student with instruction on improving their knowledge and skills of oral communication, and the course assists students in creating the materials to support such oral communications.  Students will also work on improving their active listening skills and will be provided several opportunities to speak in multiple settings in a safe and inviting environment.  Students will participate in debates encompassing a wide range of topics of student interest, and complete supporting materials and present both persuasive and informational speeches.

• Homework Expectation: 1-2 hours per week
• Semester
• 5 credits
• UC approved
• NCAA approved

Prerequisite: Students must be enrolled in SERP to be placed in a Study Skills class.

This course is for students enrolled in SERP. Classes are capped at 10 students to ensure a small learning environment. Two instructors are assigned to each class; one instructor focuses on math and science, while the other on English, theology and social studies. Study Skills is designed to provide support in the following three areas: Direct Instruction (re-teaching, scaffolding, etc. of material and concepts), Case-Management (grade checks, academic forecasting, etc.) and support in Executive Functioning Skills (flexible thinking, self-motivation, task-initiation, organization, planning and prioritizing, etc.). This course is taken in lieu of an elective course and is mandatory for all freshmen and sophomores (highly encouraged for all juniors and seniors). Students earn a letter grade for Study Skills, which is factored into their overall GPA (not weighted for academic GPA).

• Year
• 10 credits
• Homework expectation: none