Middle School electives at St. Peter's
The Program
Middle school electives give students the opportunity to develop their creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. Teachers design a wide variety of trimester-long courses that spark curiosity beyond the core curriculum. Electives also allow students to connect across grade levels and share their learning through presentations, projects, and service opportunities.
Middle School Electives Courses
Our elective offerings change yearly, but these are some of our courses this year.
Rock climbing
Rock climbing challenges students to have a growth mindset, take risks and try new, complex things. Students walk to Mission Cliffs gym, our longtime neighbor and partner, to experience the bold world of top-rope climbing. Students learn all the safety procedures around belaying and how to unlock the physical and mental challenges of SENDING their climbs! Students remind themselves that every accomplishment needs courage!
Teacher’s Aide
Service to the school and community is an integral quality of being a St. Peter’s student. All 8th graders are required to complete one trimester of service. Being a teacher’s aide is a fun way for middle schoolers to serve our younger community members. This elective helps our middle schoolers to practice their initiative and responsibility.
Community service
In this elective, the middle school partners with the Mission Neighborhood Center to participate in arts & crafts, games, nutrition, and culinary classes. Service is also an opportunity for students to build intergenerational relationships with the members of Mission Neighborhood Center.
Book Club & Chill
This elective creates a space for readers to dive into new books, explore different genres, and share reflections with peers. Students may also explore book-to-screen adaptations and discuss the latest releases together, fostering a love of literature in a relaxed environment.
Movie Magic
Students take a closer look at the world of film by watching, analyzing, and even experimenting with movie-making themselves. From famous blockbusters to animated classics, students explore what makes stories on screen come alive, while trying their hand at creating short projects of their own.
Comic Books
In this imaginative elective, students design and develop their own comic books. Along the way, they learn about the history of comics, the elements of storytelling, and the techniques behind creating compelling characters and worlds. The trimester concludes with a mini St. Peter’s “ComiCon,” where students showcase their work.
Art
Students explore their creativity through painting, drawing, and working with a variety of mediums such as watercolor and pastels. This elective is designed to help students build their artistic skills while discovering new techniques for visual expression.
American Sign Language (ASL)
Students are introduced to the basics of American Sign Language while gaining an understanding of its importance in building inclusive communities. This course helps students develop a foundation in a new language that broadens communication and cultural awareness.
Cooking
In this hands-on elective, students learn kitchen safety, measuring, and basic cooking techniques while preparing snacks, simple meals, and sweet treats. The class emphasizes teamwork and builds practical skills that students can use both in and out of the classroom.
Sparkle Studio
A creative and calming space where students learn the art of diamond painting—placing small, colorful gems to create intricate designs. This elective offers both stress relief and the joy of making personalized art pieces that students can take home at the end of the trimester.
