Option Courses

Art 10-20-30 (5 Credits)
In this class students learn basic knowledge and skills and then apply them
to in-class projects allowing them to explore their own personal artistic style.
In-class projects include drawing, painting and sculpture. Within these areas,
a visual journal will be created.

Art History 11 (3 credits)
The focus of this course is not on making Art, but on learning about its history and purposes. Students will explore artists throughout time up to the present day: their contexts, processes, and their role in society. There is an emphasis on appreciating and analyzing a wide variety of Art. This course is structured to meet a range of learning styles so that everyone can be successful, and students will have some choices in how they are assessed.

Band 10-20-30 (5 Credits)
Designed for students who have achieved a Grade III level of proficiency
on either wind or percussion instruments. Emphasis is placed on technique,
theory, history and ensemble performing, encompassing aspects of playing
such as blend, intonation, balance interpretation and tone quality. Students
are expected to participate in performances during the course of the year.

Jazz Band 10-20-30 (3-5 Credits)
Jazz Band 10/20/30 is an exciting course offered to students who are
interested in broadening their musical skills and appreciation, and who love
various styles of music! Advanced jazz specific skills including improvisation,
jazz articulation and extended technique are explored through genres such
as rock, Latin, swing, blues, funk, and more! Students enrolled in jazz band
will enjoy performing in concerts and dinner dances throughout the year,
alongside taking part in additional trips to participate in jazz festivals and
activities. For students who are interested in taking their solo skills to the next
level, Jazz Combo is also offered as an optional component of the Jazz
Band 10/20/30 course. Students who wish to enroll in jazz band must also be
enrolled in Concert Band/Symphonic Band/Wind Ensemble.

Choral Music (3 Credits) 
Choral music is a course designed for anyone who loves to sing! Whether experienced or not, all voices are welcome!  Students in choral music will be introduced to a variety of musical genres over the course of the year such as traditional contemporary pop, show tunes and more! Singers will develop vocal technique and musicianship skills. Students taking part in Choral Music will perform twice during the school year and may take part in a local choral trip! 
 

Creative Writing 15-25 (5 Credits)
This option is for students wishing to explore their enjoyment of and expand
their ability to write creatively. We will experiment with a wide variety of
techniques, styles, and genres in order to build confidence in expressing
ideas. This is an excellent option for students who enjoy Language Arts.
“There is no real substitute for being able to share the benefits of expression that
imaginative writing gives with others in a class setting.”

Drama 10-20-30
Drama explores the creative process through movement, speech,
improvisation and acting. Students examine all areas of the rehearsal,
technical and production process. In higher grade levels, performance based
classes are introduced and students have the opportunity to experience the
art of directing.

Fantasy and Science Fiction 15-25 (5 Credits)
Are you interested in exploring alternate realities, future civilizations, new planets, or unusual creatures? Do you love reading stories/novels or viewing movies dealing with hobbits, artificial intelligence, magic, dragons, and wild technological advancements? Are you a fan of Dungeons & Dragons or other table-top role-playing games? This might just be the perfect course for you! This five-credit senior high option has been designed for students who are interested in exploring various sub-genres of fantasy/science fiction in film, literature, and their applied applications in forms of games. Students will be able to explore the worlds of Star Wars, Planet of the Apes, Blade Runner, Lord of the Rings, and other influential texts from the genres. Besides viewing several films, students will also read a variety of fantasy and science fiction literature. Students will be able to explore the background and origins of some today’s most popular stories. Students will be evaluated on their engagement in class/group discussions, personal/creative/analytical responses, and projects (no exams or essays). Students will be given class time to read, view, discuss, and create.

Beginning Guitar 10 (3 credits)
This course is designed for students who are starting to learn to play the guitar.  Students must be able to provide their own acoustic guitar.  Basic guitar concepts and techniques for the novice player will be covered in this course.  This includes, but is not limited to:  Tuning the guitar, Proper playing position, 
Reading music notation, Notes in correlation to strings, Key signatures, Strumming patterns & Simple Finger picking.  Students will also learn an extensive repertoire of chords and tunes as well.

Film & Cinema 15-25 (5 Credits)
Film & Cinema 15 offers in-depth analysis and discussion of the history and
evolution of technical aspects and artistry of film making. Students will
develop critical viewing techniques by interpreting the literary, dramatic
and cinematic aspects of film and other visual media. Film & Cinema 25 focuses
on the shift from viewing films to creating films. Originality is celebrated and
students gain a genuine understanding of the complexity of film making. 

Journalism 15 (5 credits)
The Journalism courses provide students with the opportunity to explore, create, and reflect through journalistic media. In this course students evaluate the impact, responsibility, and ethics of media in society, develop skills in creating texts for diverse audiences, collaborate to contribute and problem solve in the context of creating media texts, and learn by setting goals and reflecting throughout the production process.

Leadership in the Arts (5 Credits) 
Leadership in the Arts is designed for students who wish to complete the Holy Trinity Academy Fine Arts Certificate. Students who have completed 30+ credits in HTA Fine Arts courses by the end of their grade 12 year are eligible for this course during Semester 2. This course is largely online but will end with a culminating project in person.  LITA encourages students to reflect on their experience in the arts, and to appreciate the role of the arts in society. Whether or not students wish to pursue a career in the arts outside of high school, LITA will set students up to have a lifelong love of the arts to benefit and enrich their wellbeing as adults.  Students will end the course with an arts based final project in the discipline of their choosing / experience.

Speech and Debate 15 (3 Credits)
The fundamental skills to be developed in this course are those of research, critical thinking, planning, writing, peer evaluation and speaking in preparation to participate in debate and speech events as planned under the guidelines of the Alberta Debate and Speech Association (ADSA). Through class discussion of resolutions and topics, independent and collaborative research and planning, and practice in impromptu speech and debate, students will complement the existing prescribed Alberta curriculum within their specific areas of interest. The course will also allow students to develop their ability to develop their skills in the various speech arts. Active participation and discussion by all students will foster increased confidence in public speaking and an appreciation of the validity of differing points of view and positions on a range of important issues.  Part of the mission of a high school education is to challenge students in their development of academic discipline and excellence. In addition, we seek to foster the growth of individual students in their intellectual, social and emotional development. This locally developed course proposes to assist in achieving this objective and seeks to help students develop their ability to express themselves orally in a formal and organized setting, namely through the art of speech and debate. Students will have the opportunity to address societal, global and other issues important to youth through speech (interpretation and oral renderings of meaningful texts), and debate logical, coherent argumentation, presented in a fixed format, of values positions or policy issues.  
 

Computer Programming 10-20-30 (5 Credits)
This introduction to computer code will enhance a student’s ability to problem
solve. The intent of the course is to build confidence and enhance a student’s
understanding of the necessary tools required to be competitive in the further
marketplace of Computer Science.

Construction 10-20-30 (5 Credits)
Students learn the safe use of hand tools, power hand tools and power
stationary tools and will have the opportunity to build a range of projects.
Grade 10 students typically build smaller scale projects such as toolboxes
and wooden bowls; grade 11s focus on different aspects of furniture building;
Grade 12s look at basic large scale construction concepts and have the
opportunity to complete a project of their own choosing.

Foods 10-20-30 (5 Credits)
The Foods course helps students develop an appreciation for: the nature
of food, nutrition of food, safety, sanitation and equipment, preparation of
food, presentation and service, selection of different foods, the multicultural
aspects of food and the enjoyment of cooking. Projects in the past have
included the production of wedding cakes, various International foods,
home-made bakery products, soups and sauces, and themed luncheons for
staff and students.

Computers & Business 10-20-30 (3/5 Credits)
Computers and Business helps students relate their computer skills to real life
and post-secondary education. It also helps students who plan on taking a
business program in post-secondary education. First year students focus on
both Microsoft and Google applications such as Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets
and PowerPoint/Slides. In the second year students can continue focusing on
business courses such as accounting, marketing and law.

Criminology Studies 30 (5 Credits/Dual Credit)
Students will examine basic concepts and elements of Canada's criminal justice system, including those protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, while also investigating the structure, function, operations and roles of this system. In addition, students will explore policing and investigate current crime issues, trends and patterns. Furthermore, students will examine the role and functions of the court systems, philosophies of criminal sentencing and punishment, changing roles of victims and alternatives to courts and sentencing. Lastly, students will focus on ethical principles and the application of those principles to unethical conduct, scandals and challenges. Simply put, this course has the potential to led to various careers in criminal justice.

Forensics 25 (3 credits)
In Forensic Studies 25, students will investigate and evaluate the processes involved in the collection and preservation of crime scene evidence. As students delve into forensic studies, they will investigate and analyze the strengths and limitations of forensic evidence analysis. Science 10 is a prerequisite for Forensics 25.

General Psychology 20 (3 credits)
The objectives of the 3-credit courses in psychology are designed to develop within the student the skills and understandings that make it possible for more effective living in our complex environment.  The student’s attention will focus on the scientific approach to understanding human behaviour so that he or she may appreciate more fully the reasons that underlie one’s own acts and those of one’s fellows.

New Media 10-20-30 (5 Credits)
Media encourages computer confident students to use creative thinking and
problem-solving skills in photography, print and audio/visual production, in
order to gain hands-on experience using a variety of industry software and
equipment to create projects at the various levels. Projects include digital
photography, video editing, photo editing and manipulation using Adobe
Photoshop, vector drawing using Adobe Illustrator, computer animation
using Adobe Flash, 3D Computer Modeling and Design.

Work Experience (3-15 Credits)
Work Experience is an off-campus educational learning experience that
allows students to apply knowledge, skills and attitudes in the work place.
Grade 10 and 11 students are able to take work experience outside their
regular school courses. It does not replace a course within the regular school
timetable until Grade 12. After successful enrollment in Work Experience,
students who are planning to enter the trades after graduation have the
opportunity for RAP {Registered Apprenticeship Program).

Fitness 10-20-30 (3/5 Credits)
Fitness is designed for students with a desire to be healthy and active. It includes
activities such as strength training, mental training, conditioning, flexibility,
nutrition, agility and balance with an emphasis on sport psychology and
workout plans.

Physical Education 20-30 (5 Credits)
This course offers a diverse range of recreational activities in individual and
team sports (golf, bowling, ice hockey, softball, football, weight training,
volleyball, lacrosse, badminton and basketball). The physical education
program emphasizes active living, with a focus on physical activity that is
valued and integrated into daily life.

Sports Medicine 10-20 (5 Credits)
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to learn
the skills necessary to become “Athletic First Aiders”. Sports Medicine includes
training in First Aid/CPR, fundamentals of athletic taping and wrapping,
anatomy, understanding of athletic injuries, nutrition and drug use in sports.

Yoga 15-25-35 (5 Credits)
This 5 credit yoga class offers students an opportunity to study yoga as a
personal journey in wellness and fitness. It is designed to introduce students to
the exploration of asana (postures) strength, range of motion, and breathing
techniques. Students will also develop an appreciation for the history and
philosophy of the practice and how it applies to the discipline of yoga. A
deeper understanding of the 8 limbs of yoga, small group led teaching and
exploration of more advanced postures will continue throughout the 25 and
35 levels. Students in this course will develop an appreciation of their bodies
and become more in touch with their own needs and those of others.

French as a second Language 20-30 (3Y)
Gain competence in French, further developing listening, speaking, reading
and writing skills in continuation from Jr. High level French. Cultural activities
include theme based movies, cooking and eating, of course!
 

Spanish Language & Culture 10-20-30 (3Y)
Spanish 10 is an introductory course introducing students to both the Spanish
language and culture. It is designed for students with no previous knowledge
of the language who wish to acquire a solid base. The goal for Spanish 10 is
to develop communicative competence in Spanish. Spanish 20 is offered as
a continuation to more advance use of the Spanish language and greater
learning of the culture – muy bueno! Spanish 30 continues to improve
proficiency in Spanish and to further develop cultural awareness with a strong
emphasis on social justice issues.

LS 15-25-35
The Student Services Program is a continually evolving part of the academic
programming offered at Holy Trinity Academy. Students in grades 10, 11 and
12 may receive support in most subject areas. Support is offered during an
option block in a class called Learning Strategies, which is a credited course.
The Student Services team consists of teachers and educational-assistants
working together to give students tutoring in the required areas and to
monitor student’s progress. Requests for Student Services can be directed to
Mrs. Cathy Williams or Mrs. Michelle Smith.