Students will learn design elements and principles needed to create personal artworks as they explore their artistic inspirations, focusing on various artists and art history. Students will use their creative talents with a variety of mediums such as pencil, charcoal, ink, watercolors, and paper as they draw, paint and collage!

Students will explore the mechanics and processes involved with using three-dimensional media such as clay, wire, paper and found materials. There will be a focus on the elements and principles of art, artists and styles throughout history and globally.

An introductory class to the concepts of Information Technology. This class will include topics of computer hardware, software, databases introduction, Google Apps, Microsoft Office, keyboarding, basic networking, ethics, and Artificial Intelligence. (Course offering is based on interest.)

This course provides students the opportunity to let their creativity language flow. From exploring what makes a single line of text saturated with meaning to creating a piece of writing that shares the depth of a moment, students will be immersed in the beauty of the English language.

Students will use their imaginative thinking and creativity as they work on writing poetry, short stories and plays. Students will incorporate various visual arts such as drawing, painting, creative lettering etc. as a means to further express their writing.

This drama class will explore improvisational exercises, acting techniques and voice-and-body awareness as well as technical theater. Students will be expected to be creative, to act, to improvise, so be ready to participate!

An introduction to game design using the Unreal Engine. Students will use Unreal software to create and modify environments and levels, manipulate textures and lighting effects, experiment with in-game physics and explore basic animations and movements. By the end of the class, students should have created an interactive game environment.

This course introduces students to the entrepreneurial mindset and encourages problem solving. Students do projects that highlight problem solving and critical thinking skills. The course allows students to find problems, formulate business ideas to solve those problems, develop prototypes, and how to market their product ideas.

This course is a continuation of the lessons learned in Entrepreneurship IA. Students do projects that highlight problem solving and critical thinking skills. The course allows students to find problems, formulate business ideas to solve those problems, develop prototypes, and how to market and pitch their product ideas.

In this class, we'll explore how different cultures throughout the world experience and interact with music. With this, we'll discuss essential elements of music like rhythm, pitch, and harmony, different musical genres, singing and how we use our voice, and various instruments. Come learn and explore the elements and pieces of music which make up parts of our world!

Students in French 1A are introduced to the basics of the French language and culture. French 1A focuses on simple everyday spoken French as well as pronouns, colors, people, verbs, food, word genders, articles, and pronunciation. French 1A has a fluency component that is used as supplemental material to class work. (Course offering is based on interest.)

This course is a continuation of the lessons learned in French IA. Students continue to learn everyday French following the daily life of a family. This class is designed so students will be familiar with the different sounds in French as well as the use of idiomatic expressions and phrases. (French 1B gives students the tools they need for an easy transition into French 1 Honors in high school)

This course is a continuation of the lessons learned in French 1B. It allows for an additional quarter of a language in 8th grade. Students will continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in order to gain a greater knowledge of the French language and culture. French IA & French 1B are prerequisites. (Course offering is based on interest.)

An introductory class to graphic design and digital photography. Students will use Adobe Photoshop to edit and manipulate images, create graphically designed projects in various design programs, and use camera equipment to take photographs. (Course offering is based on interest.)

A continuation class to Graphic Arts IA that incorporates graphic design and digital photography and advances those topics into aspects of animation and video editing. Students will use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects to edit and manipulate images and videos, create graphically designed projects in various design programs, and use camera equipment to take photographs and videos. Graphic Arts IA is a prerequisite course. (Course offering is based on interest.)

This class is part one of a 2-course sequence, examining the history of rock, focusing primarily on how it evolved in the United States. We will aim to cover the foundations of rock (pre-1955) through the 1960s. We will discuss the music of numerous artists from history and how aspects of cultural shifts affected popular music.

This course will pick up the History of Rock and Roll from the early-1970's to today. Part 1 is not a prerequisite. Students will explore a variety of media including books, videos, song lyrics and the music of the period. Some time will be spent studying the social issues reflected in and influencing the songs of the era. Many types of music and styles will be analyzed with topics to include: disco, punk rock, southern rock, arena rock, soul, R&B, and more.

Introduction to Business is an introductory business course designed to provide students with a fundamental knowledge of how a business operates. This course includes introducing students to basic accounting and economic concepts, marketing principles, business organizations and structures, and the development of a professional business plan.

A class focused on learning to run various STREAM Center technologies to create finished products using the engineering design method. Students will design solutions to problems, prototype, refine and finalize several products by quarter's end.

Students will be able to learn how to be a leader to their school, to adults, and to their peers. Through the following lessons students will walk away with a better understanding of how student leadership can not only change school culture but prepare them for life's challenges.

This class will deep dive into the many avenues with musical theater including: the history of musical theater, voice types and vocal technique, dance styles, acting elements, and technical theater such as lighting, costuming, set design, and sound.

This class will provide students with the basic fundamentals of budgeting, saving, credit, debt, investment and long term financial planning. Students will also learn basic accounting skills and economic principles. The goal being to prepare students to build strong money habits early on so they are better prepared as they move on to being young adults.

A quarter based elective following the curriculum
from the State of Ohio which fosters the
development of individual athletic skills and as well
as participating in team sports.

This introductory course builds on what students have learned in K-6 Spanish. Students use an intermediate textbook series to continue grammar and vocabulary instruction. They also continue to build up their vocabulary, pronouns, adjectives and verbs. This class will only be offered to new students at Gesu or if there is enough student interest. Spanish 1A should be taken in 7th Grade.

This course is a continuation of the lessons learned in Spanish IA. Students will continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in order to gain a greater knowledge of the Spanish language and culture. (Spanish 1B prepares students for an easy transition into High school Spanish 1 or 2 or Honors Spanish 1)

This course is a continuation of the lessons learned in Spanish 1B. It allows for an additional quarter of a language in 8th grade. Students will continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in order to gain a greater knowledge of the Spanish language and culture. Spanish 1A & Spanish 1B are prerequisites. (Course offering is based on interest.)

This course will trace the roots and development of
American popular music from the 1900’s to 1970.
Students will explore books, videos, song lyrics and
the music of the period. Topics to be analyzed
include: rock roots, rhythm & blues, early vocal
groups, crossovers and covers, British Invasion,
Motown, soul music, folk-rock, singer-songwriters
and more.

An introductory course that covers a variety of styles of public speaking and formal debate. Through research and practice, students will become familiar with these styles and their uses.

An introductory class to coding, STREAM tools and robotics. Students will practice their coding skills using various robotics and online resources and explore STREAM center technology to create one or more hands on products by the end of the quarter.

Students will be taught basic sewing skills as they work with fabric, yarn and embellishing materials to design and create various unique projects.