2025 - 2026 Course Descriptions
Nature Journaling
Mrs. Grace DeFilipis
Grades K-1
We will explore creation through nature journaling which teaches children good observation skills and to pay attention to detail. We will have different units on bugs, trees, birds and other things, taking time to sit in nature and learn to be quiet.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $10
Mimic the Masters
Mrs. Klaire Gai
Grades K-1, 2-3
We will look at the beautiful artwork of the Masters to discover their techniques. Students will then create their own masterpieces by mimicking the Masters. Artists studied will include: Van Gogh, Cassatt, Cezanne, Chagall, Matisse, Monet, Renoir, O’Keefe, among others.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $15
Phonics Enrichment & Storytime
Mrs. Gabi Beach
Grades K-1
We will learn all basic letter sounds in a fun class aimed at supplementing phonics instruction happening at home or as an introduction to basic phonics for brand new readers. Through books, manipulatives and activities, we will have fun exploring the beginning tools need for reading.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $10
Highlight PE
Mr. Aaron Mikita
Grades K-1, 2-4, 5-7, 7-12
Highlight Catholic Ministries uses sport and adventure to foster virtue, truth and beauty. Throughout the year, students will have sport specific training as well as multisport exposure in speed and agility classes.
Materials Needed: Please make sure your child is prepared with tennis shoes, water and sunscreen for this class. Important note that this class is an OUTDOOR class and will meet outside unless the temperature drops below 25 degrees.
Required text: None
Materials fee: None
Music & Movement
Ms. Dani Warner
Grades K-2
This class focuses on learning how your body moves and learning skills such as communicating without talking. It will include different games that will have basic dance principles and will allow the kids to learn how to move together as a team.
Required text: None
Materials fee: None
Creative Drama – Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Mrs. Elise Epstein
Grades K-1
We will explore a variety of classic tales such as Red Riding Hood, Billy Goats Gruff and Hansel and Gretel. Throughout the semester the children will have the opportunity to be a variety of whimsical characters while also learning the valuable skill of expressing themselves with clarity and confidence. We will be introduced to a different story every two weeks, while the weeks in between we learn a few short lines, practice our parts, add simple costumes, and then make a video of our in-class “performance”. Families will be given a private YouTube link on which to view our “show” together at home!
Required text: None
Materials fee: $5
Creative Drama – Folk Tales and Fables
Mrs. Elise Epstein
Grades 2-4
We will go on an adventure exploring Folk tales and Fairy Tales from Ireland, Greece and Germany. The tales will be filled with a variety of characters such as foxes and wolves and the “kids” who outsmart them. The students will have the opportunity to impersonate several different characters as they grow in reading fluency and expressive communication. Every few weeks we will read another timeless story together, then bring it to life with costumes, props, acting and sound effects. Families will have the opportunity to view the video of each story at home on a private YouTube link!
Required text: None
Materials fee: $10
Intro to French
Mrs. Allison Auth
Grades 2-3
Welcome to the language, geography, and history of France! Each week we will learn new words, explore new towns, and learn about new Saints that have shaped the history of France.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $6
Cooking
Mrs. Margaret Wilson
Grades 2-3, 4-6
Come explore the world of culinary arts. We will work on basic skills and techniques, improving your ability to help in the kitchen at home.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $30
Early American History
Ms. Gabi Beach
Grades 2-3, 3-5
We will cover the early history of our nation, from Lief Erickson through the Civil War. Through beautiful and engaging picture books and fun activities students will discover the origins of our nation and gain familiarity with historical figures and events of our past.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $10
Geography Games
Mrs. Margaret Wilson
Grades 2-4
Learn about different parts of the world through games and stories. Hear stories about virtuous men and women who have influenced our lives and play game they might have as kids.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $5
Irish Dance Basics
Ms. Dani Warner
Grades 2-5
Irish is a style that is very simple but can seem foreign to our bodies. In this class we will learn the basic Irish steps and how to work as a team. It will focus on how to create patterns with these simple steps and how to create your own patterns. They will choreograph part of the dance.
Required text: None
Materials fee: None
Botany
Mrs. Kate Feltes
Grades 3-6
Our world has been designed beauty and logic. The students will discover the joy of the order of creation as they learn to identify eight common plant families, overarching thousands of species, including some edible and poisonous varieties. The students will feel more at-home in a world of plants who are becoming intimate acquaintances. The class will include several plant-based crafts and, in order to use scientific names, an introduction to Latin. The second semester will be mainly focused on a Nature Study using John Muir Laws “Nature Connection”. Occasional homework will include collecting flowers, weeds, and other plants found in the backyard, a local park, or by the side of the road.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $15
Choir
Mrs. Martha Slattery
Grades 3-8
Singing hymns is music, prayer, and poetry combined. Everyone should have some hymns that they keep in their heart for times when no hymnal is available. In this class we will learn Marian chants and liturgical Hymns with a focus on memorization.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $3
Art 101
Mrs. Stephanie Cole
Grades 4-7, 7-12
Art 101 is an introductory course exploring the fundamentals of art. We will incorporate a variety of techniques and mediums, including: graphite, pastel, ink,
watercolor and acrylic paints. Students will learn principles of design including line, shape, form, color, value, perspective, and composition. Each week we will
discover legendary artists from the past and how they used these same essential techniques in their art. The goal of this class is to develop and grow artistic skill and imagination by learning the foundations of art.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $10
International Towne
Mrs. Alison Glass
Grades 5-8
A one-of-a-kind educational program, this program is designed to help students learn about international business, trade, currency exchange, diplomacy, and responsible credit card use in a fun, hands-on way. The experience is so different and so engaging, and the way it motivates students to learn is truly incredible.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $6
**Please note the Mandatory Group Meeting Date and Towne Date in the Spring!**
Mandatory Group Meeting: Wed, Apr 22nd, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Towne Day: Mon, Apr 27th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Physics
Mrs. Christina Handler
Grades 6-8
The goal of this lab course is to bring science to life for middle school students and gain an understanding of the key concepts of physics through engaging experiments, group activities and real-world applications. Students will explore motion, forces, energy, sound, light and electricity through observations and designing simple experiments from which to draw their scientific conclusions. Students will need their curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills as they discover how the physical world works!
Required text: None
Materials fee: $15
Grades 9-12
This Physics 1 supplemental lab offers high school students an engaging exploration of the laws that govern the physical universe. The course will emphasize conceptual understanding, quantitative reasoning, and real-world application of the laws of physics. Through experiments, data analysis, and scientific reasoning, students will deepen their understanding of topics such as Newton’s Laws and motion, forces, energy and work, momentum, waves, thermodynamics, and electricity. Key learning objectives will include understanding and applying core physics concepts and solving problems using algebra-based physics equations.
Required materials: Scientific calculator and a notebook or lab journal
Materials fee: $15
Newspaper & Yearbook
Mrs. Darci Byrnes
Grades 4-12
In this class students will work to produce a tri-weekly newspaper to distribute to their fellow CCE students and their families. Students will discover the different components of a newspaper, the 5 Ws of journalism, the core principles of journalism, and the essential elements of a good news report. In addition to the work done to produce the newspaper, students in this class will work to collect photos throughout the year to create our first ever CCE yearbook!
Required text: None
Materials fee: $5
Creative Crochet
Mrs. Martha Slattery
Grades 5-12
Learn basic crochet stitches and skills to put together into your own creative projects.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $10
Martial Art Fundamentals (no experience required)
Mr. Anthony Gallegos
Grades 4-12
This class is for students in grades 4-12 who have little or no experience with a stand-up striking art, as well as those students who took last years class and want/need to continue perfecting the fundamentals. Those fundamentals include stances, striking, kicking, blocking, footwork and philosophy of the virtues. This class will be rigorous. Students should come knowing that they are expected to conduct themselves with a certain amount of seriousness, and they will be expected to work hard and always be mindful of the instructor and the safety of other students. Since this is a one day a week course, the student will be
expected to practice at home in order to increase strength and flexibility as well as skill development. There will be a rank advancement test at the end of the year. Questions? Please email martial.virtue@gmail.com.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $15
Martial Art Applications (prior experience and approval required)
Mr. Anthony Gallegos
Grades 5-12
This class is for students in grades 5- 12 who have prior martial arts training and have achieved their first rank. (Students who have had training only through CCE are welcomed, but not required, to also concurrently enroll in the Fundamentals class.) This class is designed to strengthen the skills acquired in the fundamentals class primarily by applying those skills with a partner. The class will include striking focus pads and kick shields, partner self-defense
drills and light to moderate sparring. Students should wear free flowing but sturdy clothing. Questions? Please email martial.virtue@gmail.com.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $20
In addition, all students who wish to free spar will be required to have a mouthpiece, and males are required to have groin protection. Typically, this can run from $7 – $20 depending on the user’s preference.
US Constitution & Government
Mrs. Alison Glass
Grades 4-7
This course will cover the text and context of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and all 27 Amendments. Students will each have a
student journal/workbook that will be used in class to complete interactive activities. We will study original documents and learn about the Founding Fathers and important events that formed America’s government.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $10
Grades 8-12
The American form of government is seen as the most successful among nations for the last 230 years. With the help of original documents, we will study and discuss the ideas and events leading to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. We will take a close look at the Constitution itself and the 27 Amendments. With occasional outside reading assignments and class time filled with activities, discussions, videos, memorization and more, students will come away with a greater understanding of the US Constitution and Government.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $6
Theatre – Babes in Toyland (grades 4-7) & The Nutcracker (grades 8-12)
Mrs. Elise Epstein
GRADES 4-7– Babes in Toyland
Crooked Man and his henchman, Gonzorgo, want to buy out Old Lady Birkenstock but she refuses to turn out all the children living in her “shoe”. Mary Contrary and Jack B. Nimble must thwart Crooked Man’s scheme to tear down the toy shop and take over the toy soldier army. They team up with Bo Beep, Sheepie, the Three Pigs and a fiddling cat to defend Toy Land! There are optional songs for a few characters but the production will center around the drama (acting) of the story.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $15
GRADES 8-12– The Nutcracker
The original Nutcracker story is not a ballet! The Nutcracker and the Mouse King was written by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816. It is a Prussian fairy tale about a girl named Marie who receives a Nutcracker for Christmas. It comes to life and leads her into a magical world where she battles the army of the evil Mouse King, aided by the Nutcracker and several other friends. Together, they eventually conquer the evil Mouse Queen and her henchman as well. There are optional songs for a few characters but the main production will center around the drama (acting) of the adventure.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $15
*Please note production week mandatory dates before signing up for this class. Babes in Toyland and The Nutcracker will be performed as a duo, so share the same rehearsals and performances.
Fall Rehearsals and Performances:
Tech Rehearsals:
Wed, Dec 10th, 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Thurs, Dec 11th, 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Performances:
Thurs, Dec 11th, 6:30 pm
Fri, Dec 12th, 6:30 pm
Sat, Dec 13th, 1:00 pm
SPRING – Snow White (grades 4-7) and TBD (8-12)
Tech Rehearsals:
Wed, Apr 29th, 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Thurs, Apr 30th, 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Performances:
Thurs, Apr 30th, 6:30 pm
Fri, May 1st, 6:30 pm
Sat, May 2nd, 1:00 pm
Play Production
Ms. Grace Derikson
Grades 4-12
This class will be working on the set and prop creation for the fall shows. We will cover set building, prop making and thinking outside the box for solving problems. It’s a wonderful class for anyone who wants to learn more about what goes on backstage.
Required text: None
Materials fee: $15
Swing/Line Dancing
Ms. Dani Warner
Grades 7-12
In this class we will learn different line dances that may be common at a friend’s birthday party and at some weddings. We will also learn how to work with a partner and the different roles that take place when dancing like who is the leader and who is follower. It will be a fun class that could make parties and weddings more enjoyable.
Required text: None
Materials fee: None
Great Short Stories for High School Students
Mr. Erik Feltes
Grades 9-12
After a hiatus of 12 years, Erik Feltes is back for another CCE Literature class. The goal of this class is to grow the students breadth and knowledge of a wide variety of short stories from both contemporary and historic authors of English prose, including G. K. Chesterton, Charles Dickens, P. G. Wodehouse, Willa Cather, Mark Twain, James Blaylock, O’ Henry, Myles Connolly and many more. The students will grow in their awareness of many different authors of great literature, increase their depth of understanding that can be gained reading a story, and enable them to discover new authors and stories for themselves.
Required text: None
Materials fee: None