Exploring Education - 0617  (.5 year)

Grade:  10-12  

Elective Credit:  0.50                                    

This semester based course  is open to any Sophomore, Junior or Senior, especially for those students who have an eye on potentially teaching in the future. Guided by the direction of Principal, Mr. Dan Garrick, members of the Saint Francis DeSales High School Leadership Team as well as other educators from the Central Ohio area will lead this course. The course will include inquisitive lectures, guest speakers, classroom observations at Saint Matthias, as well as field trips. While this class will focus on Catholic education, we will take a closer look at the public sector of education as well at various levels.

Work and Family Life - 0616  (1.00 year)

Grade:  11-12  

Elective Credit:  0.50                                                 

Open to juniors and seniors, this course is designed to prepare the soon-to-be high school senior/graduate for the next step of life into adulthood. The course focuses on the skills necessary to build a strong foundation for wise living. Key topics include career exploration, communication, teamwork, leadership, etiquette, and household management. Kitchen safety and basic food science/preparation are also introduced. 

Students, upon completion of this course, will have increased knowledge, awareness, and skills to guide them through the next challenging and dynamic phase of life. Critical and creative thinking, as well as ethical reasoning within the Catholic context will be nurtured to grow and develop. Through class discussions, projects, activities, and game-based learning, students will gain valuable practical skills.

Intro to Fashion Design - 0613  (.5 year) 

Grade:  9-12    

Elective Credit:  0.50

This course will introduce students to the world of sewing and fashion design. Students will gain skills in apparel design and construction, pattern reading, and garment upcycling.  Topics covered include fashion elements & principles, textiles, clothing styles and trends, historical fashion, and fast-fashion.  Through various lectures, readings, and hands-on projects & challenges, students will gain valuable introductory skills.

Child Development - 0615  (.5 year) 

Grade:  10-12    

Elective Credit:  0.50

Child Development introduces students to the fascinating process of growth and development from conception through adolescence. Taught within a Catholic context, the course highlights the sacred dignity of life and the family as the foundation of human development. Students consider moral and ethical responsibilities in parenting and caregiving, reflecting on how love, faith, and service guide the healthy formation of the whole child. Students will explore how children develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially (PIES) and the ways families, caregivers, and society influence that development. Emphasis is placed on understanding developmental milestones, brain development, and the role of play and positive guidance in early childhood.

Through engaging projects, hands-on labs, and real-world applications, students will examine topics such as prenatal growth, newborn care, the importance of attachment and “serve and return” interactions, developmental theorists, and how to foster healthy environments for children. Students will also develop skills for future parenting, teaching, and child-related careers.