Additional Electives

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 credit general elective credit
Prerequisite: Minimum 2.5 unweighted GPA and an application/interview process

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a program to prepare bright and driven students with the skills necessary to pursue a college prep path for admission to a four-year college or university. The AVID class will provide academic instruction and other support services to students and prepare them for eligibility into four-year colleges or universities, give students college entry skills, motivate students to seek a college education, and increase students’ awareness of career opportunities and choices. Please reference the AVID Program page for more information about the AVID program. Once enrolled, students must continue to meet the grade minimum requirements to remain eligible and in the AVID program.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Year: 0.25 credit general elective credit
Grading System: S/US

This course may be repeated for credit.
The purpose of Advisory is to create space and time within the school environment to allow students and staff to build caring, stable, trusting relationships that support the social-emotional and academic growth of students. Advisory meets once a week, please see bell schedule for Advisory times.

Grades: 11 and 12
Year: 0.5 general elective credit
Prerequisite: Acceptance to the IB Diploma Program
Vendor: Schoology

Blended Learning Theory of Knowledge, TOK, 11 and 12 is an alternative learning course required course for all IB students. Students will receive direct instruction during in-person and on-site meetings, along with some asynchronous online instruction. Students will enroll in TOK the second semester of their junior year and the first semester of their senior year. TOK, along with CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) and the Extended Essay, lie at the core of the IB curriculum. In TOK, students will explore and then acknowledge the strengths and limitations of the academic disciplines that they have pursued in their formal education. One goal of the course is for students to unlearn any automatic responses they may have regarding the acceptance of absolute truths. The purpose is not to engender cynicism, but rather to encourage reflection, self-awareness, and skepticism as they continue to pursue truth, reality, and meaning.

Grades: 9
Semester: 0.5 general elective credit
Prerequisite: Teacher approval

Freshmen Focus is a class with a focus on improving study skills and study habits to developing academic confidence. The class works on building personal habits that will strengthen social and emotional confidence as well. This course will help students learn how to self-advocate, communicate with teachers, collaborate with other students, and be more organized; however, the most important lesson the student will learn in this class is: YOU are the only one who holds the key to your success.

Grades: 11 and 12
Year: 0.5 general elective credit
Prerequisite: Acceptance to the IB Diploma Program

IB Theory of Knowledge, or TOK, is a required course for all IB students. Students will enroll in TOK the second semester of their junior year and the first semester of their senior year. TOK, along with CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) and the Extended Essay, lie at the core of the IB curriculum. In TOK, students will explore and then acknowledge the strengths and limitations of the academic disciplines that they have pursued in their formal education. One goal of the course is for students to unlearn any automatic responses they may have regarding the acceptance of absolute truths. The purpose is not to engender cynicism, but rather to encourage reflection, self-awareness, and skepticism as they continue to pursue truth, reality, and meaning.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 credit general elective
Prerequisite: Approval of office supervisor
Grading System: S/US

This course is for students interested in learning office procedures, telephone etiquette, etc. and in providing a service to the school. Offices include Activities, Administration, AP/IB, Athletics, Counseling, Deans, Student Achievement Services. Students will receive ‘S’ or ‘US’ as their grade.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.25 credit general elective credit or service hours
Prerequisite: Teacher approval
Grading System: S/US

This course may be repeated for credit.
Peer tutoring is a fun way to give back to the Cherokee Trail community. We are looking for motivated team-oriented students who have a desire to help others succeed in their course work. We provide the training and support for our tutors who have a desire to create a strong community. Peer tutors can earn .25 credit ‘S’ or ‘US’ as their grade. per semester or Community Service hours for working half of the period they are assigned. Students must have C’s or better and acceptance depends on teacher approval.

Grades: 10
Year: 1.0 credit general elective credit
Prerequisite: Teacher approval

Sophomore Enrichment Seminar (SES) is a class with a focus on improving study skills and study habits to develop academic confidence. Using “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” as our core text, we will also work on building personal habits that will strengthen social emotional confidence as well. This course will help students learn how to self-advocate, communicate with teachers, collaborate with other students and be more organized; however, the most important lesson the student will learn in this class is: YOU are the only one who holds the key to your success.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 credit general elective credit
Prerequisite: Application

This course may be repeated for credit.
Sources of Strength Peer Leaders focus on furthering understanding of the Sources of Strength wheel to help individuals get through tough times. As a class, students will help create campaigns and activities for the CT student body to interact with during the school year to spread the language of hope, help, and strength to create a community that fosters belong- ing and connection. Sources partners with other school and community organizations throughout the school year to champion strength-based messaging. This class will help students recognize their strengths and use their weaknesses as experience and opportunities to grow physically and mentally.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 credit general elective credit
Prerequisite: Application/Interview process

This course may be repeated for credit.
Student leadership is an opportunity for students of all grade levels to represent the student body at CTHS, both in the school and in the community. Students in this class serve as student body officers and class representatives. The major activities of Student Leadership include Homecoming, Wish Week, Prom, and school and community service projects. Students will learn and use leadership skills to plan and implement a wide range of school activities.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 credit general elective credit
Grading System: S/US

This course may be repeated for credit.
The students supporting students class will have students participating in activities and supporting students in the ILC classroom. They will be student aides working with teachers and students. They will also learn about students with disabilities and how to promote awareness and understanding about ways to help accommodate for people with disabilities in their community.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 credit general elective credit Prerequisite: Approval of supervising teacher Grading System: S/US

Students will assist a teacher in a variety of duties and responsibilities. This may include, but not be limited to, clerical work, maintaining equipment, delivering correspondence, and securing supplies.

Grades: 11, 12
Semester: 1.0 general elective credit/125 hours Prerequisite: Counselor Approval
Grading System: S/US
Course Type: Alternative Instruction/Work-Based Learning

This course may be repeated for credit.
The Work Study Program is an alternative instruction, work-based learning course designed to provide hands-on, real-world experience that algins with the students’ Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP). Learning takes place partially or entirely in the workplace. To participate, students must secure and maintain a job for the entire semester, ensuring work hours do not conflict with school - meaning after-school hours or weekends. The work-study teacher supervises and monitors students’ work experience throughout the program.