Courses

A note to parents:

Faculty Profiles

Dance

Dance (Grades 7-12)
Instructor: Valerie Ryan

Important for a well-rounded education is the development of social skills. What better place to learn proper etiquette than on the dance floor? During the semester the students will be taught 12 of the more popular Line Dances, plus the basic steps of 8 partner dances: Jitterbug, Salsa, Tango, Two step, East Coast Swing, Cha-Cha, Waltz, and Foxtrot. Along with the actual dance technique, students will be schooled in the "niceties" of being in a social setting: making introductions, engaging in polite conversation, escorting partners to and from the floor, and seeing to it that all "guests" at a social function are having a good time. Dance I is for beginners and Dance II is for intermediate dancers.
Registration: $10
Monthly Tuition: $30
QuickSilver Dancers: www.quicksilverdancers.com
(512) 302- 4324 
valdance@att.net

 

Debate & Speech

Debate (Grades 7-12)
Instructor: Marlene Yousef

Debate classes are taught with the intention of helping each individual improve his or her poise and confidence when speaking before an audience. Skills in critical thinking, defending worthy ideas, attacking invalid ideas, persuasion, research, organization, and writing will be developed.

Successful students will have strong reading, writing, and researching skills. This course is designed to prepare students in policy debate for participation in the NCFCA home school speech and debate league. This course requires access to the Internet.
Registration: $30
Tuition: $40 per month
Podium Power: http://www.podiumpower.net
(512) 280-5407
mgyousef50@att.net

Speech (Grades 7-12)
Instructor: Marlene Yousef

This course includes instruction in oral interpretation, the fundamentals of public speaking, and an intro to policy debate.
Oral Interpretation: Students will prepare and present readings from selected prose and poetry.
Fundamentals of Public Speaking: Students will research, write and deliver informative and persuasive speeches.
Policy Debate: Students will be introduced to policy debate according to NCFCA rules. Students will participate in a classroom debate. 
Registration: $10
Tuition: $40 per month
Podium Power: http://www.podiumpower.net
(512) 280-5407
mgyousef50@att.net

 

English

Writing: (Grades: 9-12)
Instructor: Jill Anderson

Writing I (Intermediate) is designed for 9-10th graders. It focuses on expository writing, and developing organizational skills and proficiency with complex sentences and vocabulary. I will allow older students in this course if there is a need for this level of instruction.  If you need or want a recommendation on which course would be most appropriate for your student, you can send me a copy of a recent piece of writing for evaluation.

Writing II (Advanced) for 11-12th graders is the equivalent to an AP English composition course or college freshman composition.  It focuses primarily on rhetorical expression, persuasive writing, analytical writing, and research for a variety of disciplines. We will also work on writing under testing conditions. 

The Writing about Literature class is open to all high schoolers. It will involve reading a variety of short stories, plays, novels, and scholarly literary analysis,  and writing about character, theme, plot, etc.  The Creative Writing class will be more of  a workshop kind of class rather than a large amount of direct instruction. Students will put together a portfolio of a variety of different kinds of projects of their choice both poetic and fictional. This class is conditional upon having a minimum of 5 students. Students may sign up for just one semester or both.  

Book fee: TBA
Registration: $25
Tuition: $40 per month
Essay Writing for the College Bound: www.ewcb.org
(512) 203-4468
jill@ewcb.org

 

Literature (Grades 7-11)
Instructor: Tricia Ojeda

This in-depth study of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy is designed for 7th - 11th grade students. We will spend the fall semester studying The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Philosophy of Tolkien by Peter Kreeft, which shines light on Mr. Tolkien's purpose and motivation in writing this fascinating trilogy. We will also use the workbook, Literary Lesson from the Lord of the Rings. This class will continue in the Spring with the remaining two books of the trilogy. Students will have weekly reading and writing homework assignments. In class discussions, exercises and comprehension testing can be expected. We will have relevant guest speakers occasionally.
Registration: $10
Tuition: $40 per month
(512) 709-4260
adejo7@yahoo.com


American Literature (Grades 9-12)
Instructor: Tricia Ojeda

American Literature is open to all high school students. This class will involve reading a variety of American authors relevant to college preparation, participating in class discussions, written assignments, and testing over the material assigned in and out of class. We will study a variety of genres, striving for comprehension and understanding of literary elements, including plot, symbolism, character analysis, etc.
Registration: $25
Tuition: $40 per month
(512) 709-4260
adejo7@yahoo.com


English Literature (Grades 9-12)
Instructor: Tricia Ojeda

English Literature is open to all high school students. We will be reading several English authors relevant to college preparation. Class participation in weekly discussions is encouraged. Students will have weekly reading and written homework assigned and will be tested on comprehension of material and understanding of literary elements, including character analysis, plot, theme, foreshadowing, and more.
Registration: $25
Tuition: $40 per month
(512) 709-4260
adejo7@yahoo.com



Foreign Language

Greek (Grades 9-12)
Instructor: Jennifer Matlock
Greek will be a reading-based course using the Athenaze curriculum published by Oxford University Press. The text uses Greek readings to introduce students to vocabulary and grammatical concepts in context, then explains the grammar in English. By taking this approach, students are able to translate Greek beginning in chapter one! Each chapter also includes short passages from Classical and New Testament authors, as well as cultural and mythological information. Exercises in the text and accompanying workbook will be used to reinforce the grammatical concepts introduced in each reading.
Registration: $15
Tuition: $40 per month
(512) 554-5969
j.matlock@yahoo.com

Latin (Grades 7-12)
Instructor: Jennifer Matlock

Latin will be a reading-based course using the Cambridge Latin Course (CLC) published by Cambridge University Press. The text uses Latin readings to introduce students to vocabulary and grammatical concepts in context, then explains the grammar in English. By taking this approach, students are able to translate Latin beginning in chapter one! As we continue through our text, the translations will provide the foundation for class discussions and integration of new concepts. Students will be exposed to a variety of cultural and historical information about the Romans as well, specifically Pompeii in Unit 1 and Britain and Egypt in Unit 2.
Registration: $15
Tuition: $40 per month
(512) 554-5969
j.matlock@yahoo.com

Spanish I, II, and III
Instructor: Amy Peek

The content of Spanish I, II, and III, the equivalent of two years of standard high school Spanish, is spread over 3 years in order to ensure program integrity. Twin Peak Languages will secure materials for students who have submitted registration and book fees. The required textbooks come from the SPANISH FOR MASTERY series, published by D.C. Heath. The book, tape, and workbook are available through Twin Peak Languages when the $45 materials rental fee is received prior to August 1,
and, that after that date parents will be responsible for securing their own materials Approximately 1/2 of the SPANISH FOR MASTERY I text will be completed in the first year course, with the remainder of that text comprising the content of Spanish II. Spanish III will used the second year textbook of the above series and will fulfill and surpass foreign language requirements for high school graduation in Texas.

All classes have homework, lesson quizzes at the beginning of each class, unit tests and final exams. The graded quiz and test papers that come home are the parent's responsibility to monitor. Upon request, Twin Peak Languages will happily provide a letter indicating the grade that parents deem appropriate. Student participation and consistent attendance essential. Success comes with commitment to a MINIMUM of 30 minutes of active study/oral practice 4 - 5 times weekly in addition to the 1 1/2 hours of class time.

In the event that siblings are concurrently participating in courses offered by Twin Peak Languages, the monthly tuition fees are reduced by $10 for each additional student. Tuition is averaged over the 9-month course and is therefore not adjusted up or down for short or long months. Parents are always welcomed and encouraged to participate in class at no charge.
Textbook/tape rental with consumable workbook: $45
Registration: $10
Tuition: $40 per month
Twin Peak Languages
(512) 515-5331
twinpeak@thegateway.net

Spanish IV and V
Instructor: Amy Peek

Spanish IV and V are available for those wishing to polish their language mastery. College-level course curriculum. Call for details.
Twin Peak Languages
(512) 515-5331
twinpeak@thegateway.net

 

Mathematics

Pre-Algebra (Math, Music and More)
Instructor: Carol Neil

Pre-Algebra is a culmination of all the concepts employed in the use of arithmetic operations. It also bridges the gap between these concepts and algebra by introducing the use of the unknown. The text is easy to read and has a Biblical foundation.
Registration: $40 per student
Tuition: $45 per month for first student, $40 if more than one student per family
Math, Music and More
(512) 990-3730
cneilm3@sbcglobal.net

Algebra I (Math, Music and More)
Instructor: Carol Neil

Algebra I covers the essentials needed for success in other math classes with humor, real life examples, and structured exercises to make the student think. It applies the algebra rather than just rote memorization of a string of facts. Text is easy to read and comprehend even for the student who does not think they like algebra.
Registration: $40 per student
Tuition: $45 per month for first student, $40 if more than one student per family
Math, Music and More
(512) 990-3730
cneilm3@sbcglobal.net

Geometry (T3)
Instructor: Jo Lindberg

Geometry is everywhere. Pyramids, building blocks, ice cream cones, playground balls, and soft drink cans, to name a few, are all geometry. Jacob's makes the geometry come alive with real life examples, well thought out problems, humor, and discussions that capture the students' interest. To quote Jacob's directly, "In addition to using inductive reasoning throughout your study of geometry to discover what is true, you will also learn how to reason deductively to be able to understand why."
Registration: $40 per student
Tuition: $45 per month for first student, $40 if more than one student per family
(512) 401-0812
tcubed@austin.rr.com

Algebra II (T3)
Instructor: Jo Lindberg

As a second year algebra course, it is much more than a rehash of the first year. Real life problems are emphasized and thus critical thinking skills are developed in this course. Foerster challenges the student with problems that combine several mathematical concepts instead of just using the current one in the lesson. It brings it all together to make pre-calculus a review instead of all new material.
Registration: $40 per student
Tuition: $45 per month for first student, $40 if more than one student per family
(512) 401-0812
tcubed@austin.rr.com

Precalculus
Instructor: Dr. Wanda O’Connor

Precalculus is designed for a full-year course following Algebra and Geometry. The purpose is to famaliarize students thoroughly with concepts they will encounter a subsequent Calculus course. They will use functions as mathematical models of real world phenomena including triangular relationships and other mathematical concepts.
Pre-Requisites: A successful completion of Algebra II.
Text: Precalculus with Trigonometry By Paul A. Foerster (ISBN: 978-1559537889)
Calculator: TI-84+ or the equivalent
(512) 255-6024
wfoconn@swbell.net

Calculus
Instructor: Dr. Wanda O’Connor

Calculus is a transition course from high school mathematics to college level mathematics. It uses technology and the rule of four (geometric, numeric, algebraic, and verbal presentations) to focus on conceptual understandings of mathematics. In addition, the strength of the traditional calculus is maintained by the rigor of proofs and the full variety of traditional topics.
Pre-Requisites: Successful completion of Pre-Calculus (at least a B).
Text: Calculus: Concepts and Contexts, 3rd Ed By James Stewart (ISBN: 978-0534409869)
Calculator: TI-84+ or the equivalent
(512) 255-6024
wfoconn@swbell.net


Physics
Instructor: Ted Neil

Exploring Creation with Physics provides a detailed introduction to the methods and concepts of general physics. Heavily emphasizing vector analysis, this text is ideal preparation for a university-level physics course. It provides the student with a strong background in one-dimensional and two-dimensional motion, Newton’s laws and their application, gravity, work and energy, momentum, periodic motion, waves, optics, electrostatics, electrodynamics, electrical circuits, and magnetism. The text, from Apologia Ministries, is easy to read and has a Biblical foundation.
Pre-Requisites:
This college-prep physics course is designed for the student who has completed Algebra II and has had an introduction to the definitions of sine, cosine, and tangent. This course is designed to be a first-year high school physics course and gives the student a rigorous foundation in physics, in order to prepare him or her for a college-level course. Students who take and understand this course will be very well-prepared for a tough university physics course.
(512) 990-3730
cneilm3@sbcglobal.net

 

Music

Choir: Pre-school - High School
Instructor: Kathy Hargis

The Christian Choral Society of Austin is a network of preschool through teenage choirs, ensembles and soloists dedicated to glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ through His gift of music, maintaining the highest standards of integrity and excellence. This unique ministry exists to give each member an enjoyable yet affordable opportunity to cultivate and nurture personal musical growth while performing a wide variety of Christ-honoring repertoire. Under the instruction of qualified staff, members are taught proven methods of proper technique, music theory, choral blend and sight-singing, while fostering such Godly values as hard work, diligence, courage, cooperation, team work and other Christ-like attitudes. Contact Kathy Hargis for details on the following choir programs: Angle Choir, Children's Choir, Treble Choir, Concert Choir, Music Theory, Piano, Voice, and Musical Theater.
Christian Choral Society of Austin: www.ccsa.info
(512) 394-0033
kathy@ccsa.info

Symphony
Instructor: Mike Fizzell

Auditions are open to any string player who has at least one year playing experience or can perform at Suzuki book Level II or higher.Wind, brass, and percussion players must also have at least one year's experience. All symphonic instruments are welcome (including harp). A minimum of 3 concerts are planned, and a special Christmas concert. For more information contact the director.
http://www.cysaustin.info
512-417-3525
michaelfizzell@gmail.com

 

Science

Biology
Instructor: Kim Stetson

This course is designed to be the student’s first high school science course. Typically, it is recommended that the student take this course during the same year that he or she is taking Algebra 1. Exploring Creation With Biology is a college-prep biology course that provides a detailed introduction to the methods and concepts of general biology. Heavily emphasizing the vocabulary of biology, it provides the student with a strong background in the scientific method, the five-kingdom classification scheme, microscopy, biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular and Mendelian genetics, evolution, dissection, and ecosystems. It also provides a complete survey of the five kingdoms in Creation. This course does not contain a discussion of human anatomy and physiology. Human anatomy and physiology is such a detailed subject that it merits an entire high school course. By the time your student is finished with this course, they will be a pro at the microscope. We’ll complete various dissections as described in the text as well as several additional dissection labs. And you won’t want to miss the edible cell competition.
Please note that because of the differences between the first and second editions, students in a group setting cannot use both. They must all have the new edition. It is available directly from Apologia at highschoolscience.com.
Registration: $40 per family
Lab Fee: $50
Tuition: $60 per month (Siblings receive a $10 discount for each class after the first student in the family)
Science Matters
(512) 250-5437
sciencematters@sbcglobal.net

Biology II
Instructor: Cindy Casper

Casper Biology II will be taught from the Apologia advanced biology course The Human Body: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. This curriculum covers the anatomy and physiology of the mammalian systems. It is a detailed study of the 11 organ systems of the human body. Combined with Biology I (Exploring Creation with Biology), it gives the student the equivalent of a biology advanced placement (AP) course. There will be extensive lab time in microscopy and dissection (including eye, kidney, hear & fetal pig). The lab fee includes the cost of dissection samples but not of dissection kits (available for an extra cost). Students will also need to provide their own dissection pan (a metal brownie pan will be sufficient). Prerequisites: Bio I, Chemistry I. Best price for the curriculum can be found at www.hometrainingtools.com.
Registration: $10
Lab fee: $50
Monthly Tuition: $40
(512) 303-0686
kcaspro@yahoo.com

Chemistry
Instructor: Kim Stetson

In order to be able to succeed in this course, the student needs to have completed Algebra I. This course is designed to be a first-year high school chemistry course and gives the student a rigorous foundation in chemistry, in order to prepare him or her for a college-level course. Men wearing white coats and working in laboratories do not lay claim to all of the science. Since food science is my passion, we’ll have lots of practical application laboratory work involving food and nutrition, and how chemistry affects our everyday lives. This is truly science you can eat! Even if you think you’ll never go near a scientist’s laboratory, you’ll be affected by chemistry each and every day. The course covers significant figures, units, classification, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, kinetics, acids and bases, redox reactions, solutions, atomic structure, Lewis structures, molecular geometry, the gas laws. All of this can be understood through clearly explained real-world experiments. We’ll also do some analytical chemistry in the area of food and nutrition. Come and learn why dinitrogen hydroxide isn’t really a dangerous chemical in our water supply!
Registration: $40 per family
Lab Fee: $30
Tuition: $60 per month (Siblings receive a $10 discount for each class after the first student in the family)
Science Matters
(512) 250-5437
sciencematters@sbcglobal.net

Physical Science: Grades 8 & 9
Instructor: Kim Stetson

This course is designed to be the last science course the student takes before high school biology. The course discusses such topics as the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, weather, and the structure of the earth, environmentalism, the physics of motion, Newton’s Laws, gravity, and astrophysics. The author especially concentrates on the myths generated by the environmentalist movement by giving us Creation-supporting evidence to the contrary. There are many hands-on experiments to do, and they all use household chemicals and supplies. The text in the book explains things extremely well and your student will enjoy seeing how the principles work, when we perform the real-world experiments. We’ll spend some time learning how to write a formal lab report before entering the higher sciences. It is an excellent course for preparing the student to take a college-prep high school science curriculum. 1 hour class.
Registration: $40 per family
Tuition: $45 per month (Siblings receive a $10 discount for each class after the first student in the family)
Science Matters
(512) 250-5437
sciencematters@sbcglobal.net

 

Social Studies

Topics In American Government: Grades 9-12
Topics in American Government is a seminar class. Students will be given weekly reading or research assignments and will be expected to actively participate in class discussions. Topics will change each semester. A student may take one or both semesters. To receive high school credit for American Government students will need to take both The Presidency and Politics and Interest Groups and Congress. Possible future topics are: Politics and the Media, History and Politics, American Foreign Policy, and The World Stage: Governments of Influence or Concern. This course requires access to the Internet.

Fall 2008
The Presidency and Politics
Instructor: Marlene Yousef

This course will examine, through research, analysis, and discussion, the presidency and the Constitution, presidential selection process, presidential power, presidential policy-making, the Executive Office of the President, and the role of public opinion.

In addition to studying the fundamentals of the executive branch, this course will exam both past and current presidencies and the current presidential contest. Students will be required to watch either the Republican or Democratic National Conventions, and a Presidential debate. We will examine the political process through current events.

The goals of this course are 1) to understand the functions, powers, and selection of the President and 2) and to enable each student to analytically evaluate presidential candidates in order to make a more informed opinion and become actively involved in the presidential process.

Spring 2009
Interest Groups and Congress
Instructor: Marlene Yousef

This course will examine, through research, analysis, and discussion, the framework of the Constitution and how it applies to the congress. Areas to be studied include the structure and procedures within Congress, congressional responsibilities, and the powers of Congress. Working in groups, students will formulate a bill and present it in class. Students will monitor certain bills of interest in Congress and investigate pork barrel spending.

Interest groups have a powerful influence on Congress and state legislatures. This course will examine various types of special interest groups and their role in the legislative process. Students will prepare and lobby the Texas Legislature on a current legislative bill or issue.

The goals of this course are 1) to understand the functions and powers of the US Congress and the Texas Legislature, 2) to make students aware that it is their responsibility, as a good citizen, to monitor their government leaders and, 3) to take an active role in their government.

Registration: $10 per semester or $15 for both semesters
Tuition: $40 per month
http://www.podiumpower.net
(512) 280-5407
mgyousef50@att.net