Special Programs 24 - 25
0150 9TH GRADE ACADEMIC LAB
Credit: 1/2 unit
Academic Lab provides an opportunity for students to receive additional tutoring and academic support on a daily basis. Teachers are available to students in each lab to provide assistance with regular class work, provide study tips, and monitor grades. Counselors and administrators will occasionally work with students regarding scheduling, college and career planning and other school-related issues. This course is strongly recommended for 9th grade students.
0164 10TH GRADE ACADEMIC LAB
Credit: 1/2 unit
Enrollment: based on assessment data and teacher recommendation
Academic Lab provides an opportunity for students to receive additional tutoring and academic support on a daily basis. Teachers are available to students in each lab to provide assistance with regular class work, provide study tips, and monitor grades. Counselors and administrators will occasionally work with students regarding scheduling, college and career planning and other school-related issues.
0001 STUDY HALL
Credit: NONE
Open to Grades: 10-12
Students are assigned to a staff member and will be supervised in their daily work. The purpose of the study hall is to complete homework assignments, prepare for tests and quizzes, and gain assistance from teachers as needed.
0002 INDEPENDENT PERIOD
Credit: NONE
Open to Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: 3.75 GPA
Students with a 3.75 GPA enroll in Independent Period rather than Study Hall. Students must sign in at the library and have the opportunity to independently work in various areas of the building during their assigned period.
9120 GIFTED ACADEMIC LAB
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: In Gifted and Talented Program
Open to Grades: 9
The Gifted Support Lab provides an opportunity for students in Grade 9 and identified as Gifted and Talented to receive academic and affective support in a structured environment. Student check-ins; grade monitoring; test preparation; reinforcement of time management and workload management strategies as well as additional executive functioning skills will all be emphasized. In addition, the curriculum also addresses the affective needs of gifted students by providing strategies to help students work through challenges with school and personal relationships; to reinforce communication skills in order to effectively interact with others; to nurture individual problem solving to foster resilience; and to emphasize personal goal setting and follow-through with reflection.
9097 GIFTED SEMINAR LAB
Credit: ½ unit or 1 unit
Prerequisite: In Gifted and Talented Program and with teacher recommendation
Open to Grades: 10-12
The Gifted Seminar Lab provides an opportunity for students in Grades 10-12 and identified as Gifted and Talented to receive academic and affective support in a structured environment. Student check-ins; grade monitoring; test preparation; reinforcement of time management and workload management strategies as well as additional executive functioning skills will all be emphasized. In addition, the curriculum also addresses the affective needs of gifted students by providing strategies to help students work through challenges with school and personal relationships; to reinforce communication skills in order to effectively interact with others; to nurture individual problem solving to foster resilience; and to emphasize personal goal setting and follow-through with reflection. Students may elect to complete an action research or project-based learning service component.
5600/2600 ALGEBRA IN MANUFACTURING PROCESS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND DESIGN (AMPED)
Credit: 2 units (1 Math and 1 Practical Art)
Open to students enrolling in Algebra 1 (typically 9th grade)
AMPED is a course which pairs Algebra 1 skills with manufacturing processes to show practical application of math skills. When students register for the AMPED class they are assigned two courses on their schedule: Algebra 1 & AMPED Additionally, the course is team-taught by a math & practical arts teacher. During the first hour/course students will participate in Algebra 1 curriculum which aligns with the regular Algebra 1 course at WGHS. The second hour/course will focus on manufacturing and the practical side of math needed to run a business. The WGHS AMPED class will run a t-shirt manufacturing business. The course will cover t-shirt design and production. Students will learn design processes, design software, and use of excel spreadsheets.
9371 MAKERSPACE I: DESIGN THINKING, TOOL CRAFT AND MAKING
Credit: ½ unit
Grades: 9-12
Makerspace 1 is a class centered in using design thinking concepts to create, build, and test. Students learn the design thinking model and practice working through the steps of empathizing with the user, designing with the user in mind, ideating to solve the problem, creating a physical prototype, and testing the model. In an effort to provide a true hands-on experience, WGHS Makerspace has tools to help students turn their design ideas into reality. These tools include 3D printers, a laser cutter, a CNC router, sewing machines, Cricut Maker, traditional hand tools, drones, video editing software, and a drawing tablet for converting hand drawings into digital graphics. In addition to design thinking concepts, the class focuses on necessary 21st century skills like collaboration, communication, problem solving, and more.
9381 MAKERSPACE II: DESIGN FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
Credit: ½ unit
Prerequisite: Students who successfully progressed in Makerspace I will find this to be a challenging yet appropriate course
Grades: 9-12
After completing Makerspace I, students have experience with the design thinking model and a workable knowledge of the Makerspace tools. The Makerspace II course will deepen students’ understanding of this work and its application to problems within our school and our community. Students will work together to identify issues and design solutions. Students will then use their knowledge of Makerspace tools, in addition to art, design, and media, to create prototypes for their solutions. They might even be challenged to explore new tools to find creative ways to solve their design problems. In addition to design thinking concepts, the class focuses on necessary 21st century skills like collaboration, communication, problem solving, and more. In the end, students will be expected to formulate solutions, test, and present them in a way to share their findings.
9382 MAKERSPACE LAB ASSISTANT
Credit: ½ unit
Apply with Makerspace staff
Open to Grades: 9-12 (need to have previous experience in the Makerspace)
Makerspace Lab assistants will help visiting students and teachers with designing their makes, solving problems, navigating the room, and operating equipment safely. In addition students will assist the Makerspace teacher in maintaining equipment, troubleshooting problems, and optimizing the space for student and teacher use. Ideal candidates enjoy building, designing, and creating and have strong communication skills to assist a broad range of students and teachers of different technical abilities.
9500 INDEPENDENT STUDY
Credit: 1/2 unit
Prerequisite: Approval by teacher, department chair, and student’s assistant principal
Open to Grades: 11-12
An independent study course may be taken for high school credit. Independent study courses will be limited to study beyond the most advanced course offered by Webster Groves High School in a given subject. The student must have taken all the courses in the curriculum sequence leading to the advanced study and must have earned a grade of "B" or better in each qualifying course.
The student must obtain an application for Independent Study from his/her counselor. He/she must complete the application and secure the signature of approval of the participating teacher, the parents, the counselor, department chairperson and the Unit Administrator. Credit will be awarded as follows: 1/2 credit for a minimum of 60 class hours of instruction or for a total of 60 hours of combined class instruction and actual outside research or preparation work for the classroom tutorial session. A student may not enroll in more than a total of 2 units of independent study credit during his/her high school experience. He/she may take only 1/2 unit of independent study credit per semester.
0148 PEER TUTORING
Credit: elective 1/2 unit per semester
Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA
Open to Grades: 11-12
Peer tutors provide specialized help in the WGHS Tutoring Center. Based on the student's strengths, they will tutor core subjects as well as electives. Tutors will provide individual and small group assistance on assignments, tests, and projects in a particular content area, or areas. At the beginning of each semester, tutors will go through an orientation process on what is expected of them and will sign a contract. Tutoring in the WGHS Tutoring Center meets the mentoring/tutoring requirements of the A+ Schools Program, provided they meet agreed upon requirements and completion of tasks.
9420 MATH DEPARTMENT STUDENT INTERN
Credit: ½ unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
Requires the permission of the teacher to which student will be assigned and the permission of the department chair.
Students will be assigned to one math teacher but will work closely with the entire Mathematics Department. Each student will assist teachers in creating and teaching lessons, working with small groups of students, and tutoring individual students. The ideal candidate enjoys explaining mathematics and is interested in pursuing a career as a Mathematics teacher.
9580 PUBLICATIONS: THE ECHO YEARBOOK
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Students who have earned a B or higher in English class experience an appropriate yet challenging placement in this course
Open to Grades: 10-12
A good yearbook is the result of many hours of hard work, discipline, and cooperation. This includes working outside of scheduled class hours. A productive yearbook staff will gain a working knowledge of design and publishing skills as used in the publishing industry. The ultimate goal of Yearbook is to produce a book that everyone will be proud of, want to own and archive school history. Yearbook staff candidates should have an interest or background in one or more of the following graphic arts disciplines: design skills in layout and photography; writing skills for headlines, copy and captions; or photography skills in producing quality images. Creative and ambitious sales people are also needed to design and produce an ad campaign to help promote and sell the yearbook. This course may be repeated for additional elective credit.
9400 STUDENT ASSISTANT
Credit: 1/4 unit per semester
Prerequisite: Teacher or Staff approval
Open to Grades: 11-12
Students may receive elective credit by assisting a teacher or office. With teachers, students can help with various classroom assignments (preparation of bulletin boards, copying and duplicating, inventory management, lab preparation, music, and/or library work.) In an office, students will deliver passes and supplies, assist with mailings, and assembling packets for various school functions. Credit and a pass/fail grade will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated learning, time spent, and teacher/staff evaluation. Each teacher may only have two student assistants per semester.
9590 TEST PREPARATION
Credit: 1/2 unit
Open to Grades: 11-12
This one-semester course is designed to help students prepare for college entrance tests, specifically the ACT. Teachers from multiple departments rotate between student-groups, instructing students in test-taking skills and strategies and in specific reviews for each subject area. Students are encouraged to purchase a teacher-selected ACT preparation textbook and are required to take weekly ACT practice tests. Emphasis is placed upon regular attendance and daily class participation.
2017 WG THRIVE INCUBATOR
Credit: 3 Credits
Open to Grades: 11-12 with application process
WG Thrive Incubator provides high school students with dynamic, immersion-based student learning experiences to ensure students can understand and respond to an ever-changing world. To accomplish this task, the Webster Groves School District will actively engage and work collaboratively with business partners, community service and educational leaders to design and develop mutually beneficial learning experiences based on the interests of students and stakeholders. Thrive is an example of how business, community and public education can partner to produce personalized learning experiences that educate the workforce of the future, especially in high skill, high demand jobs.
Why the WG Thrive Incubator? Industry states 51% of college graduates are lacking the skills essential for success in the professional workplace. Thrive Incubator provides a safe, challenging and innovative environment that exposes students to real entrepreneurial opportunities with the support of industry and community leaders designed to:
Discover passions in an authentic experiential learning environment
Develop critical thinking, leadership, communication, curiosity, grit, perseverance, creativity and time management skills
Fostering a growth mindset
Build confidence and emotional intelligence
*Students can elect to fulfill their Personal Finance requirement in this course. In order to accomplish this, students pass the coursework portion and receive 60% or higher on the Personal Finance EOC.
9142 CHELSEA CENTER INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
Credit: ¼ or ½ unit
Prerequisites: Chelsea Center and community partner approval/selection Open to grades: 9-12, depending on requirements of organization
In this course, you will explore potential future careers through hands-on, project-based learning with a partner company or nonprofit. Internship experiences may involve a selection process where you will be asked to submit a resume and letter of interest to secure the internship position. As part of your coursework, internship hours will be paired with hours in the Chelsea Center setting goals, reflecting on your growth, and sharing your learning.
9143 CHELSEA CENTER SERVICE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Credit: ¼ or ½ unit
Prerequisites: Chelsea Center and community partner approval/selection
Open to grades: 9-12
In this course, you will find ways to learn more about a cause you care deeply about while also engaging in hands-on volunteerism for a nonprofit currently engaged in work that supports that cause. As part of your coursework, service learning hours will be paired with hours in the Chelsea Center setting goals, reflecting on your growth, and sharing your learning.
9144 CHELSEA CENTER PASSION PURSUIT EXPERIENCE
Credit: ¼ or ½ unit
Prerequisites: Chelsea Center and community partner approval/selection
Open to grades: 9-12
In this course, you will co-design experiences and research to help you dive deep into an interest you have. Some of our previous students have used this course to apply their understanding of CAD and 3D printing to design footstops for their longboard, to build a guitar amp and speakers from scratch, to revitalize a community garden and to extend their learning about music engineering and create an album of their own. As part of your coursework, passion pursuit hours will be paired with hours in the Chelsea Center setting goals, reflecting on your growth, and sharing your learning.
9145 CHELSEA CENTER TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
Credit: ¼ or ½ unit
Prerequisites: Chelsea Center approval prior to extended or school-sponsored travel experience
Open to grades: 9-12
In this course, you will set goals and reflect on your extended or school-sponsored travels alongside a Chelsea Center staff member. You will be asked to set goals and then track your progress toward those goals during your travels–through journals, or social media, photo journals, videos or other methods that you design in partnership with the Chelsea Center.
9140 EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING – SUMMER (Internships, Service Learning, Passion Pursuits, Travel, Classes)
Credit: ¼ or ½ unit
Prerequisites: Depends upon the activity/class chosen
Open to Grades: 9-12
All courses described above (Internships, Service Learning, Passion Pursuits and Travel) are also available during the summer. Students interested in these courses should plan to meet with a Chelsea Center staff member at the beginning of second semester to secure one of these opportunities. Please note: some summer opportunities have application processes that begin the previous fall.
9098 TEACHING AND LEARNING COHORT
Credit: 2 units; this is a two-hour, yearlong course
Prerequisites: None, recommended Child Development 1
Open to Grades 11-12
This Experiential Learning Class helps students interested in becoming teachers explore that career through observations, hands-on support of small group instruction and teaching in K-8 classrooms throughout the Webster Groves School District. Students will also participate in seminar-style classes to study best practices in teaching and to reflect on their learning along the way. Students who meet the eligibility requirements can earn up to 4 hours of dual credit through Webster University.
8945 REAL WORLD PROBLEM SOLVING
Credit: ½ unit in fall semester only
Open to Grades: 11-12
This Experiential Learning class uses human centered design to tackle various real world problems. Guest speakers, simulations, observations, and various field trips will provide inspiration for our designs as we begin the semester thinking about the needs of our community. Students will develop action plans to address these multifaceted needs, implement those plans, and reflect on their effectiveness and limitations. Students will share their learning with community stakeholders.
9105 PERSONAL EMPLOYMENT
Credit: 1/2 credit for minimum 60 hours of employment per class, per semester; up to 2.00 credits may be earned in one academic year
Prerequisite: Approval of counselor and Personal Employment teacher
Open to Grades: 11-12
This Experiential Learning class helps students reflect on and articulate what they are learning during their real-world work experience. Students receive elective credit based on the experiential learning process of setting goals, co-designing their reflection process, hours worked, and sharing their learning with community stakeholders. Because most students work 10-20 hours a week outside of school, after expectations and goals have been established, students will only meet about once a week, as designated by the teacher, to check in on their experiences and reflect on transferable skills. Students must be actively employed to enroll and maintain enrollment in this course.
3510/3511 PUBLICATIONS: THE ECHO PAPER
Credit: 1 unit of Communication Arts or Practical Art credit
Prerequisites: Journalism & instructor approval
Open to Grades: 10-12
The paper staff is chosen from the journalism classes. The staff publishes the monthly school paper and its online version. In alternate years it also prepares the Turkey Day program. Besides the time required for story assignments, staff members spend time outside school hours for page design of the paper and ad solicitation.