For information on the number of elective courses needed to graduate, please refer to our graduation requirements.

Not all elective courses are offered every year.

Art – Drafting and Drawing – one credit
Unleash your artistic potential in this dynamic drawing and sketching course. Explore various media, including pencil, charcoal, pastel, and ink, and their unique possibilities.  Drawing inspiration from Devarim, students will engage with subjects like anatomy and landscapes, fostering a deeper understanding of the world.  This course invites you to connect with your creativity and express your vision while reflecting the Creator’s beauty. Join us for an inspiring artistic experience!

Home Economics – one credit
This elective for high school students teaches essential life skills, including household management, budgeting, and being a savvy consumer. It fosters an appreciation for home and family life, empowering you to navigate adulthood with confidence. You’ll learn how to create a joyful home while gaining practical knowledge for a fulfilling future. Topics include: Kitchen Safety, Meal Planning, Cooking Techniques (Basic and Advanced), Budgeting, Grocery Shopping, Food Preservation, Healthy Choices, Sewing Basics, Projects, Time Management, Home Organization, Gardening, and more. Prepare to expand your horizons and build valuable skills!

High School Psychology from a Christian Worldview – one credit
Text: Psychology: A Christian Perspective, High School Edition, by Timothy S. Rice, D. Min., LPC
This course provides students with an engaging introduction to the major areas of psychology through a Christian worldview. Students will explore a variety of topics, including the brain and nervous system, perception and sensation, genetics, human development, learning, the history of psychology, communication, needs and motivation, personality, sleep and dreams, abnormal psychology, and career opportunities in psychology.s in psychology.

Advanced Crafts – one credit
This class will include projects similar to those completed in the Exploring Crafts class, but at a more advanced level.  Since the projects are at an advanced level, they may take several weeks to complete.  Possible project ideas include woodworking, metalworking, quilling, and quilting.  This class will be at the high school level; therefore, either a test or a research assignment will be given each quarter.  There will be an art fee of $50 and homework.

Drama – one credit
This course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of stage presentation.  Students will learn drama terms, character development, stage blocking movements, improvisation, storytelling, safe stage management, publicity, and set building while rehearsing a play to be performed as a culminating experience.  Students will participate in either one or two shows per year. The student will be required to attend practices outside of school hours, as well as a full tech week.  A $50 fee will be charged.

Drama Tech – one-quarter credit
Students will learn the intricacies of the “behind the scenes” activity that is part of producing a theater production.  Students will become the stage crew for the current year’s production.  Class starts during the third or fourth quarter of the school year (depending on the production date).

Yearbook – one-half credit
Being part of the Yearbook staff requires students to actively participate in creating our school yearbook. Students will take photographs and learn how to design page layouts by cropping images and selecting fonts to create visually appealing and readable pages. The class meets outside of regular school hours on an “as needed” basis. Participation requires access to the internet, and students will be graded on a pass/fail basis.

Teacher Aide – one credit
Teacher recommendation required
This is an opportunity for the high school student to develop skills in teaching.  The student will assist the primary instructor as needed.

SAT Preparation/Study Skills – one credit
This course aims to equip students with test-taking strategies specifically for the verbal and math sections of the SAT during the first two quarters. The last two quarters will focus on enhancing study skills. 

Newsletter – one-half credit
Students may participate in an Independent Study Class to create a school newsletter for monthly publication. Each student will be required to submit one article per month to the instructor.

Exploration of Music and Movement – one-half credit
This course is designed as an introduction to social dancing. The skills learned in this class can be used at wedding receptions, school dances, or ballroom-like dances. Students will learn basic music theory, social etiquette, and may incorporate rhythm games in order to aid in properly navigating the dance floor. Skills covered will incorporate both popular contemporary music and dance styles through more traditional ballroom styles. Some skills will build upon previous skills, and attendance is mandatory. No partner is required, but based on participation level, eventual partner work is the goal. This class meets once a month on Wednesdays.

Basketball – one-half credit
Towle basketball teams, for both boys and girls, that include students in 6th through 12th grades, play from October through February. A full-time or part-time (taking at least one class) Towle High School student can participate for $200 per student per season*.

Homeschoolers not enrolled at Towle may now join our basketball program! A registration fee of $325 is required. High school students who register to play and attend practices regularly will earn 1/2 PE credit*.
Practices are usually held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Games are typically scheduled on the same nights as practices, although some may be held on Monday or Friday nights.
Don’t hesitate to contact Towle Athletic Director Sara Chick at sara.chick@towleinstitute.com with questions and for registration details!
*Attendance for practices and games must be at least 85% to earn high school credit.

Parents are welcome to submit outside sources for elective credits. These may include, but are not limited to, private music lessons, chorus, band, private dance instruction, Math Counts, and community clubs. To receive credit for these electives on the student’s report card, please provide a course description along with a weekly log of activity hours by Week 33. The log should include the date of each activity, the time spent each day, a brief description of the activity, and the total number of hours at the bottom of the chart. A spreadsheet format is recommended for the log. Once completed, the parent must sign and submit the log to the office no later than Week 33. (Please refer to the Handbook for the required number of hours per credit.)

*For Independent Study credit for a core course (math, science, history, and foreign language), follow the Independent Study guidelines as set forth in the Student Handbook.