PS Academy Arizona Electives
We offer over 20 elective courses outside of our core classes for our Secondary students to choose from. Electives may reflect a student's interest, introduce or improve skills, or be directly related to a future career.
Help your student discover their passion!
Here are just a few of the electives we offer:
Rock Band
The Rock Band is designed for those students with previous experience in choir or instrument performance. Students will work together to interpret popular music into a performance-ready product. Students learn about different styles of rock music and how to perform for an audience.
CAKE DECORATING
Our Cake Decorating elective invites students into the delightful world of sugar and icing, where creativity knows no bounds. With tactile experiences, students will explore the art of cake decoration, mastering various techniques, from making icing and filling and then decorating the cakes they bake. They’ll learn the techniques and then transform their imagination into edible works of art.
KARATE
This traditional Karate class is designed to teach the students self-defense, respect, coordination, and build self-confidence. They will learn self-defense techniques as well as traditional forms all while improving their physical fitness.
STEM
STEM stands for Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM emphasizes technology and integrates subjects in ways that connect disciplines and relate them to each other. Students will explore robotics, video game design, and computer hardware.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is a great way to nurture individual growth and self-expression. Through hands-on learning, students will learn about different forms of photography, photo-editing, and the basic principles of photography. This class is hands-on and will allow students to design a scrapbook portfolio of their work throughout the semester.
theatre
Students will learn basic drama techniques such as ensemble-building, creative thinking, and communication, through a variety of on-your-feet and collaborative activities. Students will also get the full experience of being part of a musical production, auditioning and performing songs, dances, and dialogue while also engaging in behind-the-scenes work, such as set and costume design and stage crew.
Art
The PS Academy Creative Art Class is designed to teach students to become creative thinkers and visual problem solvers. Students will be taught the creative process, including brainstorming, creating and evaluating art. Students will work in multiple art mediums including Drawing, Painting, Fiber Arts, Collage, Printmaking, Sculpting, and 3-D Artworks. In addition to lessons on different art techniques, students will also be given the opportunity to do "Student Choice" assignments. During a "Student Choice" assignment, students will create a unique piece of artwork in their choice of any art medium. The purpose of this art class is to expose students to diverse art mediums and to teach students to think creatively.
PS Academy Arizona Clubs
Every Friday, the Secondary students participate in several of the social skills clubs that we offer. Each club gives them the opportunity to branch out in an area that they are interested in learning more about. These clubs encourage teamwork, active participation, social interaction, and leadership.
Here are just a few of the clubs we offer:
ORIGAMI
Origami Club is dedicated to the unique Japanese art of origami. Students learn how to fold origami from its most basic form to more complex 3D sculptures. They will get to transform ordinary sheets of paper into remarkable origami creations while developing hand-eye coordination, sequencing skills, attention, and patience.
DATING DOS AND DON’TS
This is a separate club for boys and girls to learn how to navigate the friendship and dating world in a supportive space. They will gain valuable insights into the dynamics of modern relationships with a focus on reading non-verbal language, social media and texting etiquette, and role-playing to increase these social skills.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
Dungeons and Dragons is a wonderful club for students who want to make use of their vast imaginations. We create fantastic characters with special powers, then gather into role-playing groups where students take turns bringing their friends on magical adventures. Everyone gets a chance to show off their own unique qualities during valiant quests, glorious battles, and friendly chit-chat. So come one, come all—just be sure to bring along your creativity and a smile.
STUDENT COUNCIL
Student Council is the club where the students run the show! Officers collect information and ideas from Representatives in an effort to make school more enjoyable for students. Students are taught social and leadership skills that will stick with them beyond high school.
CHEER
Cheer Club is dedicated to learning the fundamentals of cheer, teamwork and sportsmanship. Students will put all these skills into practice when they cheer on the PS Academy Bulldogs at our home basketball games with our routine for the Bulldog Fight Song!
CAR CLUB
Calling all automotive enthusiasts! Students will learn all about the reality of car ownership. What goes into buying and maintaining a motor vehicle? Visit a car dealership to learn how they operate and receive visits from community members with rare, classic or antique cars. Students will also get to learn about the technology behind cars – hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, automated safety features, new types of engines, etc
CAMPING
LET’S GO CAMPING! PS camping club covers all aspects of the camping lifestyle. Students will cook delicious meals, set up tents, and explore all kinds of camping equipment.
A Camping Club Staff member will bring in his tiny teardrop camper and his full-size travel trailer for students to set up and use during club time. We’ll even plan an overnight camping trip at the end of the semester!
Your student deserves to be seen for their abilities, rather than defined by their diagnosis.
Here at PS Academy Arizona, students love coming to school. Why? Because here, they aren't defined by their diagnosis. They shine when they identify their abilities, are accepted for their differences, make friends, and discover new skills. They are given the tools and the responsibility they need to be challenged and inspired to excel in school and beyond.