excelsior! meets once a week on Mondays, for 14 weeks during the Fall and 14 weeks during the Spring at CFC: 4100 Millersburg Road. We run 2-4 classes concurrently from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

HIGH SCHOOL ONLY

Sculpture I (1.5 hrs.) -

American Literature - Six books and 3 short stories by classical American authors will be covered in the American literature class next year. All can be found on recommended reading lists for colleges and have all been read by the instructor more than once. These are excellent stories, which will be discussed in a round table format. There will be no tests or quizzes, but students MUST have read the material before coming to class or it will be easy to tell who is and is not prepared.

Life Skills - This class is for high school age students. Students will participate in class and individual projects concerning purchasing a car, car insurance, car loans, rent, mortgage, utilities, food expense, budgeting and more. Homework will be required to complete these projects. However; students will not be graded on their work. With completion of this class students should have a better understanding of what to expect as they prepare for independant living.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ONLY

Discovering Art - The first semester will consist of a series of drawing exercises using the right side of the brain. These exercises enhance drawing ability. The students will utilize these technical skills to create more detailed drawings. The second semester will focus on art history and use of color. Students will learn basic watercolor technique, chalk pastels and one sculpture project. Class is limited to 15 students. All art lessons are subject to change to better suit the artists needs.

Newbery Literature - Fifteen Newbery Award winning books will be covered in the Newbery literature class next year. All should be read during the middle school years. These are excellent stories, which will be discussed in a round table format. There will be no tests or quizzes, but students MUST have read the material before coming to class or it will be easy to tell who is and is not prepared.

EITHER HIGH SCHOOL OR MIDDLE SCHOOL

Apologetics/Healthy Relationships - If thinking correctly about the things that go on in and around our lives is important, perhaps most important to our state of being is that we think correctly about God and his perspective on creation. During our first semester, Dale Beaver will be teaching our students how to develop a life of faith built on the foundation of absolute truth.

During our second semester, Dale Beaver will be leading our students in recognizing the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships. Relationships start from all sorts of catalysts. But as there is a maturity that goes on naturally in life, so do our relationships.  Our students will discover "red flags" that foster poor relational development, as well as growing in those areas personally which will help them contribute to healthy relationships.

Concert Band - Students may join if they have played one year on their chosen instruments. They will learn to play in a mixed ensemble, increase proficiency on their individual instruments and be exposed to several different styles of music during the year.

Drama (2 hrs.) - This class is designed to be an in-depth study of acting and technical theatre that will create a sense of community among students and enable them to find a safe form of expression. The class will help build confidence and overall self-esteem. Students will study the roots of acting and learn to develop a commitment for dynamic performances.

Food Design - This class will provide baking and decorating instruction from the most basic birthday cake to more complex constructions such as a multi-tiered fondant wedding cake. Concepts will cross over to food decoration with pastry bags, filling baked goods, and the chemistry and physics required to achieve consistent quality products. Upon completion of this class, students will have the skills needed to earn extra cash either by selling baked goods directly or by working in a bakery or restaurant.

Beginning Guitar I - Students will learn proper techniques involving finger style and rhythmic strumming. An introduction to the various ways guitar music is notated will be covered as well as guitar maintenance.

Beginning Guitar II - A continuation of guitar I, this course includes basic music theory for guitar as well as a deeper knowledge of common Western styles. Students will learn basic rhythm and lead for such styles as folk, country, pop rock and blues.

Beginning  Computer/Keyboarding Skills - Windows basics, navigating Windows, keyboard shortcuts and creating a logical filing system. An overview of the basic types of software currently available. An introduction to Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word and Powerpoint. There will be projects done with both of these software programs.

Praise Band (audition only) - Students may join by audition only. Emphasis will be on playing together as a band: creating their sound; learning to play by ear; understanding stage presence, listening to each other; playing fills, rhythms and leads as well as harmonizing. A variety of styles of Christian music and/or secular music with a predominantly Christian theme will be performed.

Singers - Emphasis will be on producing a tight choral sound and general vocal music knowledge, which will include learning to read rhythms, dynamic levels and musical notation. A variety of songs and music styles will be presented such as spirituals, folk tunes and appropriate secular and Christian songs. Songs will be performed with musical accompaniment. Students must be at least 11 years old and should be able to read notes on the treble or bass clef staff, depending on their voice part.

Spanish (conversational) - This class is available for both high school and middle school age students.They will be able to learn and practice most of the basic sentences in Spanish using the Spanish Bible, small plays, songs, videos and games. Students will be listening to the teacher speaking in Spanish at all times. This will allow them to increase the ability to understand and also have short conversations with Spanish speaking people asking and answering simple questions.

Speech (advanced) - This class is available for both high school and middle school age students. Although students will be required to complete the same assignments, they will be graded on different levels. Students will be presenting several different types of speeches, in order to develop or enhance their presentation skills. Good speaking skills are a must for any student in order to prepare for future career opportunities.

Disclaimer: These are tentative classes depending on registrations, but we hope to offer all of them. 2 - 4 classes are offered each hour and the day will run from 8 am - 5 pm. One can sign up for as many or few classes as he/she wants to take for the same flat fee.

Some classes do have prerequisites, age requirements, audition only or instructor or director approval only.

Please note:
If enrollment does not meet the budget requirements, some classes may be canceled.