Electives Courses
Fall 2025
Fellowship Hour (12-12:55 PM)
First Hour (1-1:55 PM)
Intentional Technology: Mastering the Analog/Digital Divide
Teacher: Tiffany King
Class Fee: $2
Mastering the balance between analog and digital tools is a critical skill for productivity, creativity, and well-being. This course invites students to explore how analog tools can work alongside digital tools to enhance their lives. Students will learn innovative ways to use pen and paper, notebooks, physical books and other analog tools for productivity and creativity. Students will also learn how to use new digital tools, including AI in ways that promote and foster critical and creative thinking, focus and productivity. The goal of this class is to learn to thrive as a human in a tech-driven world.
Broadway Jazz
Teacher: Caroline Zanni
Class Fee: None
Step into the spotlight and bring the magic of the stage to life in this high-energy Broadway Jazz class! Inspired by iconic musicals and legendary choreographers, this class blends classic jazz technique with theatrical flair and storytelling.
Dancers will grow in their technique, performance, and confidence while learning dynamic combinations set to some of my favorite, show-stopping Broadway hits. From Fosse-inspired isolations to cool ensemble numbers (think Jets and Sharks), this class is perfect for anyone who loves to perform and have fun.
*Jazz shoes are optional
Freshman Foundations
Teacher: Tiffany Parsons
Class Fee: $5
Think of this as the icebreaker for BU! In this class, students will get to know their classmates while learning life skills, tips, and tricks for navigating the high school years and beyond. Our main goal is to form friendships and have FUN. Many seniors report they made their first BU friends in this class. We aim for it to be a memory-maker and a positive kickstart to their time at BU. *This class is mandatory for incoming freshmen.
Legends and Magic of Old Christmas
Teacher: Jamie Groover
Class Fee: $0
Class fee: none
Christmas hasn’t always been electric lights and Santa Claus, and in some countries, it still isn’t. In this class, we’ll look at how the celebration of Christmas has developed around the world, including the time when Christmas was against the law! We’ll see how people in different times and places have brought joy to the coldest time of the year, from singing horse skeletons to chimney sweeps made of prunes.
Cooking Lite
Teacher: Amanda Cooper
Class Fee: $30
In this class we will take a look at and practice how to make simple recipes. These will be items that can be prepared simply and not requiring intense cooking time or equipment. Each student will leave the class with a small recipe book/box and confidence to arrive at any gathering with a food item to share, with the ability to adjust for food requirements/needs. There will be a student class fee to cover the cost of ingredients and their recipe cards to keep. If your student wishes to join this class and has ANY kind of allergy or sensitivity that I need to be aware of and be prepared for please let me know ASAP. amacoop05@yahoo.com
Second Hour (2-2:55 PM)
The Art of Science and Wellbeing
Teacher: Tiffany King
Class Fee: $2
Whether you're joining for the first time or returning for another round, this class offers fresh insights and new tools to support your journey toward a happier, more meaningful life. We'll continue exploring the powerful principles of positive psychology through the PERMA-V model—Positivity, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Achievement, and Vitality. You'll discover new practices to support mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Each session builds real-life skills you can use right away to flourish. Come ready to grow, reflect, and thrive—again or for the first time!
Intro to Drawing
Teacher: Amanda Welch
Class Fee: $20
This class will cover 6 of the 7 elements of Art. We will go over Line, Shape, Form, Space, Value and Texture. We will also go through Principles of Design as we work on some pieces that will include balance, unity, variety, emphasis, movement, pattern and proportion. This class is an Intro but we will make sure to have at least one finished fine art piece by the end of the term.
Intro to Financial Markets and Investing
Teacher: Laura Braunecker
Class Fee: $25
This course will explore the core principles of investing such as the time value of money, risk profiles and the role of investing in personal finance. Students will take an active role in "pretending" to invest with play money and seeing how their choices grow over the course of the semester. They will learn about the most common vehicles of investing such as stocks/bonds/mutual funds and will understand what the S&P 500 is and its role in assessing the overall financial market. The course fees will cover licensed materials that need to be purchased. In addition, students will be asked to download an app used to simulate/track investing over time. The goal of this course is to help students understand the value of investing early in life, even as teenagers, and begin to assess which companies/opportunities are sound investments. We will also cover the concept of Biblically based investment. This will be a very involved class so only students who have a desire to truly participate and learn are encouraged to enroll.
Graphic Design with Canva for Beginners
Teacher: Tiffany Parsons
Class Fee: $20
Canva is a graphic design platform that provides tools for creating social media graphics, presentations, postcards, promotional merchandise and websites.” This will be a fun introduction to graphic design, where we’ll learn how to make logos, t-shirt designs, YouTube thumbnails, stickers, and more. *A smartphone, iPad, or laptop will be required for each class period.* There will be a $20 class fee to cover ordering your design on a t-shirt!
BUPAC Drama
Teacher: Esther Neel and BUPAC Staff
Class Fee: $50 cast/$30 crew (Checks made out to BUPAC Drama)
BUPAC will be performing a full length drama TBD.
Casting is by audition only and will be held in late May. However, students may still register to participate in the production crews during the third hour of electives.
BUPAC Cast, Stage Managers, and Crew Leaders should register for BUPAC during the 2 PM and 3 PM hours of BU Electives. BUPAC crews will register for BUPAC for the 3 PM hour only.
Third Hour (3-3:55 PM)
The Epistemology Game
Teacher: Tiffany King
Class Fee: $2
Epistemology is the investigation of distinguishing justified belief/views from opinion. Students who took Propaganda last year, or Critical Thinking in the fall semester have played this game and requested a class devoted to playing the game. (Those classes are NOT prerequisites to this class. Anyone is welcome.) Learn to think on your feet, challenge your views, have great conversations and more.
Hospitality and Events
Teacher: Amanda Welch
Class Fee: None
We will be learning about hosting and getting practical experience by planning the BU social events for the school year. We will go through topics like “how to be a good host,” “how to budget for an event,” and “know your audience.” The students will be able to plan, prep and execute what they learn, preparing them to feel confident in planning events in the future.
***Laptops might be useful as we look for decorations and plan for events.
Beginning Pickleball
Teacher: Betty Peterson
Class Fee: $0, but requires a pickleball paddle
Pickleball is currently recognized as the fastest growing sport in America. It is an easy sport to learn and play, can be enjoyed by people of all ages and athletic abilities, and has a wide range of health benefits. In this class, students will learn the basic rules and techniques involved in playing pickleball, with the majority of class time spent playing pickleball games with other students. There is no class fee, but students are asked to bring a pickleball paddle to class each week. Inexpensive pickleball paddles ($10-$15) can be purchased at Wal-Mart or from Amazon.
Paper Flower Crafting Workshop
Teacher: Shannon McElfresh
Class Fee: $40
A paper flower crafting class teaches participants how to create realistic and unique paper flowers using various techniques and materials. Students will learn about different types of paper, cutting methods, shaping petals, and assembling the flower. In this class we will make an assortment of flowers such as Rose, Tulip, Calla Lilly, Dahlia, Peony, Daisy, Hydrangea, Marigold, and Carnation.
BUPAC Drama
Teacher: Esther Neel and BUPAC Staff
Class Fee: $50 cast/$30 crew (Checks made out to BUPAC Drama)
BUPAC will be performing a full length drama TBD.
Casting is by audition only and will be held in late May. However, students may still register to participate in the production crews during the third hour of electives.
BUPAC Cast, Stage Managers, and Crew Leaders should register for BUPAC during the 2 PM and 3 PM hours of BU Electives. BUPAC crews will register for BUPAC for the 3 PM hour only.
