Beginning Band:

This full-year course is designed for 6th, 7th, or 8th grade students who have no previous band experience. They will develop their basic musicianship while performing in two to three concerts per year. Instrument selection will be completed in the first two weeks of school, and instrument rentals are available. There will be a fair share fee for this course which covers uniform shirt, band books, music, clinicians, small accessories, rewards, and other class essentials. Financial obligations and occasional time commitments outside of school hours are part of this course. Before making this selection, parents are encouraged to visit our music page on our website.
https://teachers.stjohns.k12.fl.us/zentz-l/band/

Concert Band (1-year previous experience required):

This full-year course is designed for middle school students who have at least one year of prior band experience. Students will continue to develop their musicianship while performing at least two times per year. There will be a fair share fee for this course which covers uniform shirt, band books, binder, small accessories, rewards and other class essentials. Financial obligations and occasional time commitments outside of school hours are part of this course. While both band classes will learn popular Grade 1 tunes, “Concert Band” class will spend more time in this genre while “Symphonic Band” will learn more traditional band literature. Parents are encouraged to visit our music page on our website.
https://teachers.stjohns.k12.fl.us/zentz-l/band/

Jazz Band (Must also be enrolled in Concert Band – teacher recommendation required):

This full-year course is designed as an enrichment performance group, offered to intermediate level band students by invitation. This class is an introduction to jazz improvisation, swing, blues, rock, and Latin music. There will be at least three performances per year. Students must take Concert Band or Symphonic Band in addition to Jazz Band unless the director approves. There is no extra fair share for this class, unless this is the student’s only band class.

Visual Art:

This full-year course is designed for 8th-grade students to use advanced-level techniques to create a variety of 2-D and 3-D artworks through developing skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and sculpture; students proficiently manipulate the structural elements of Art with increasing independence to promote creative risk-taking in their artwork. Investigating artworks from Western and non-Western cultures provides a means for students to expand their understanding and appreciation of the role of Art in global culture. Student artists use an art criticism process to evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth in personal or group works. All consumable materials will be supplied- including sketchbooks, pens and pencils. There is a $25.00 FairShare fee associated with this course.

Visual Media and Design (Yearbook):

Students will be introduced to the world of digital media using programs such as Canva, Adobe Express and Photo Shop. They will gain real world experience in production of student publications such as the yearbook and school magazine. They will learn skills in lay-out and design, photography and journalistic writing.

Gaming, Apps, and Career Planning

This year-long class focuses on interactive animation and gaming where students learn how computers programs respond to user input,  using block-based coding, students create an animations, games, and simulations while learning key programming concepts such as variables, conditional, loops and events.  Through creative projects, students develop problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and perseverance as they design programs that react, move, and change bases on user actions.  Also in this class, students are introduced to physical computing using Micro:bits. Students learn how to program the Micro:bit to respond to inputs such as buttons, motion, light, and sound, and to produce outputs like light, messages, and animation. This course also teaches students to use career planning resources and technology to explore career and technical opportunities while building self-understanding and workplace readiness skills. Students will learn how changes in society, the economy, and technology affect careers and use that knowledge to set goals and create a career and education plan.

Intermedite Spanish (based on grades and teacher recommendation):

This full-year course is a continuation of Beginning Spanish.  Students will expand their knowledge of the language and its culture. After successful completion of TWO years of middle school Spanish, students have the option to exchange these two years towards ONE high school credit.

Innovation Lab – Stem Research and Problem Solving:

Innovators Lab: STEM Research and Problem Solving is an inquiry-driven course designed to help students develop strong research skills while applying them to hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics challenges. Students will explore authentic problems, conduct scientific investigations, and design innovative solutions using the research process as the foundation for all STEM-based learning. Throughout the course, students will learn to determine, refine, and analyze research questions, design testable hypotheses, gather and evaluate evidence, and communicate their findings using formal academic and scientific formats. This course integrates structured science labs, engineering design challenges, and the development of an independent or team STEM Fair or major cross-disciplinary research project.

Leadership (application is required):

This course empowers students to develop leadership, personal, and professional skills through the Capturing Kids’ Hearts Leadworthy curriculum. Students learn to build a healthy self-concept, foster positive relationships, and embrace personal responsibility while practicing principle-based decision-making and creating a personal mission statement. The course emphasizes communication and public speaking, conflict resolution, and understanding the impact of peer pressure. Through hands-on experiences—including managing the PBIS Rewards Store, leading character-building activities, and participating in internships—students grow as Student Ambassadors, serving as role models for integrity, empathy, and positive influence at FCA while promoting teamwork, character, school involvement, and the FCA Way. 

TV Production (application is required):

The purpose of this full-year course is to introduce students to the basics of TV production, digital tools used in production, communication, and broadcasting skills.  Students will hone their leadership and professional skills in this class as well as they plan out features and interviews for the school closed-circuit morning news that the class produces.  Students will also have other broadcasting opportunities.